The RCAF Steampunk Betsy (part 3)

May 24th RCAF Dogfight (part 4)

The RCAF Steampunk Betsy (part 2)

May 24th RCAF Dogfight (part 3)

The RCAF Steampunk Betsy (part 1)

Bancos Milestone just released his new "Steampunk Betsy" Aircraft and placed a vendor in the quonset hut at Connolly Aerodrome. The Steampunk Betsy package includes Royal Caledon Air Force (RCAF) markings and Terra Combat System (TCS) for our dogfights...

Connolly Flight School, anyone?

Karl Reisman of Tumansky Heavy Industries (THI) has created a Trainer Aircraft in SL. This aircraft can be used by 2 avatars. Great for training new pilots.

Phin's Jazz Club

These are not easy economic times in RL with Oil and Food prices climbing higher each week, so I met with Phin recently to discuss the future of his Jazz Club in New Toulouse. We were trying to decide whether to keep the club or not. We've decided to keep it a little longer and see how things go during the next few months.

May 24th RCAF Dogfight (part 2)

Inspiration

Phin calmly smoking a cigar while freefalling to the Penzance Airfield...



Inspired by AirChiefMarshal Phineas Messmer (who sent this hilarious photograph to remind me we have a para-troopers unit in the RCAF), I bought my own parachute and even a skyboard. Holy Nekos that was fun!

May 24th RCAF Dogfight (part 1)

Zoe and her B-17

In celebration and in honor of World War 2 Veterans during Memorial Day Weekend here in the United States, I rezzed several of my WW2 Aircraft at 2 of my Caledon parcels. Here's a photograph of me in front of my B-17 from master aircraft builder Bancos Milestone....

Zabrina Flies the B-24....and loves it!

You may be asking me, "Zoe, I just bought this amazing bomber, sure...but where do I fly it?"

To which I reply, "Rez your ass on over to Skies of Tomorrow in the Extropia sim!"






Thanks again to Bancos Milestone and his fantastic aircraft!

Zabrina Guards Connolly Aerodrome

Cured of her mental instability by Extropian Medical Technology, Zabrina McMahon becomes a staunch protectrix of Connolly Aerodrome. Nice to have her on *our* side for a change...

James Bond Theme Song

"A James Bond Theme Song Parody, second in a series of Movie Theme Song Music Parodies, sung to the tune of the One and Only James Bond Theme Song...."

Indiana Jones and the Song of Theme

An Indiana Jones Theme Song Parody, seventh in a series of Movie Theme Song Homages, sung to the tune of the One and Only March from Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Battlestar Galactica - Guess What's Coming to Dinner?

"A new alliance is tested as the Galactica helps the Cylon rebels destroy a vital enemy target...."

Remembering Star Trek’s Military Moments | TrekMovie.com

Remembering Star Trek’s Military Moments | TrekMovie.com

"....Today is Memorial Day, which is the day the US sets aside to reflect on the sacrifices of those wore the uniform to protect their nation. Although at its heart Star Trek has been a show about exploration, it also has many elements of the military and so on this Memorial Day we reflect on Star Trek and the military...."

Remembering Star Trek’s Military Moments | TrekMovie.com

Remembering World War Two Airmen: World War Two Glider Pilots--A Rare Breed

Remembering World War Two Airmen: World War Two Glider Pilots--A Rare Breed

"....American and Allied glider pilots did much to help win the war in Europe. Their fragile planes, towed behind C-47s or other powered aircraft, were responsible for putting large numbers of infantry troops on the ground during major assaults. Pulled behind their tow-planes, these pilots often found themselves released early or off-course, often under fire, and had to put down wherever they could find an open space. Landings were dangerous and frequently fatal.

This Horsa glider crashed in France on D-Day, killing its pilot and passengers...."

Remembering World War Two Airmen: World War Two Glider Pilots--A Rare Breed

Remembering World War Two Airmen: Diana Barnato Walker, Acclaimed Pilot, Dies at 90

Remembering World War Two Airmen: Diana Barnato Walker, Acclaimed Pilot, Dies at 90

".... Diana Barnato Walker set a speed record as a pilot in 1963.

By John F. Burns
Monday, May 12, 2008

LONDON: Diana Barnato Walker, an heiress to a South African diamond mining fortune who took up flying in the 1930s and became a celebrated aviator as one of a group of women who delivered new fighters and bombers to combat squadrons in World War II, died on April 28. She was 90...."

Remembering World War Two Airmen: Diana Barnato Walker, Acclaimed Pilot, Dies at 90

The Perils of Zoe Connolly - Test Video and photographs

Special thanks to Baron KlausWulfenbach Outlander for giving me the poseball animation for this scene....






Video captured in Second Life by Zoe Connolly: Just testing an idea for an adventure story. Part Hitchcock and part Indiana Jones....

RCAF May 25, 2008 dogfight over Caledon Sound.

Video captured by Zoe Connolly in Second Life: Royal Caledon Air Force May 25, 2008 dogfight over Caledon Sound.

Music by Yes "Siberian Khatru"

Proper Approach and Landing = Patience!

Some have asked me how I make so many successful flights. Success measured by good landings ;)

I account for most of my success due to my January 2008 upgrade from a laptop that could barely handle SL to a new dualcore desktop that can handle just about anything. Yay!

Beyond that I have a few simple tips....On to the video!



After an engine test of my F-94 Starfire from Bancos Milestone, I turned my plane around and made a typical take-off from Skies of Tomorrow in the Extropia sim.

One thing I learned in all my SL flights is patience. Don't be too eager to launch or too quick to land. As in RL flying, know your aircraft, airfield, and where you're flying.

Use your mini-map as your compass. Observe your instruments. Watch your airspeed and altitude. A good question to ask is - Will the weather (Lag) be too much for my controls (my computer, SL Client) to handle a flight today?

The altitude of the Second Skies runway is 41 meters. You'll note on the video that my first approach is far too high at about 100 meters. I pulled away from the runway and flew north again in order to lose more altitude before my second approach. My 2nd approach was much better at approximately 60 meters in altitude. Satisfied I could make a good landing, I set my bird down, brought her to a stop and powered down. Another successful SL Flight and landing! Double, nay...Triple w00t!

Thunder Over Michigan - Air Show - Yankee Air Museum

Thunder Over Michigan - Air Show - Yankee Air Museum

"....The Yankee Air Museum is proud to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of "Thunder Over Michigan". A decade in the making, the 2008 Edition of Chrysler Jeep Superstores Thunder Over Michigan promises to be the warbird show not to be missed! Featuring a salute to the "rough and tough" P-47 Thunderbolt and special segment dedicated to the beloved WWII Heavy Bombers, a wide variety of vintage & modern military Fighters, Bombers & Transports will help celebrate the event's 10th Anniversary! ...."

Thunder Over Michigan - Air Show - Yankee Air Museum

The B-24 Liberator from Milestone Aircraft (part 4)

Zabrina captures video from SecondLife: Flight Test of Bancos Milestone's B-24 Liberator at Skies of Tomorrow in the Extropia sim.

Thanksgiving With the Kranzes

"A parody of Ron Howard's Apollo 13 that wonders what Thanksgiving might be like at Gene Kranz's (Ed Harris from Apollo 13) house, especially when things go terribly, but familiarly wrong...."

The B-24 Liberator from Milestone Aircraft (part 3)

Just a quick video...

Zabrina captures video from SecondLife: Engine Demonstration of Bancos Milestone's B-24 Liberator at Skies of Tomorrow in the Extropia sim ---

The B-24 Liberator from Milestone Aircraft (part 2)

Bancos Milestone does it again with his new B-24 Liberator. I'll have a video of the Liberator soon.

Take a look at Mr. Milestone's selection at the following SLurl...

http://slurl.com/secondlife/BALSA%20INC%20AVEOUSA/174/159/29