Hi my name is Neil and my S.O. is Elandrea,
Through my inspiration and countless hours of a one sided conversation she finally agreed to be my RIO. How excited was I!!
Background history: (Neil) my grandfather who is deceased now gave me the passion for aviation while I was in my diapers climbing on and in the EAA experimental builds he built for many years! I was so fascinated by the excitement in his voice and knowledge about why a airplane is a airplane, he was theory happy and made perfect sense so much so that my young mind could actually follow his, it was a very bondable experience! Some time in my early years I fully committed to be a pilot when I grew up. My last name served our country for 6 generations! I felt I was obligated to do the same.
I did very good in my schooling because that's what grandpa said I needed to do to become a pilot! I had the grades my entire curriculum to achieve my goal until the reality of a failing heart haulted EVERYTHING! I am 40 yrs old with 2 open heart surgeries and currently fighting with disability!
The dream never diminished: I was introduced to flight simulators when I was young so my hands-on in a functional cockpit fascinated me. I spent at least 6 years in IEN's warbird simulator with thrtl+jstk+pedals. Story short I got good with prop pulling ACM, studied energy retention fighters most of my career behind the stick, p47D was my expertise but learned all ww2 aircraft including the boring high altitude climbs of the b17, b29, b25. Jabo work was my specialty.
I am very excited to have come across DCS!!! I have been watching the Grim Reapers for a couple months on YouTube (the group I found to fly together) any others squadrons I'm highly interested in watching, I learn so much from just visuals I can't wait to get hands on! My commitment to building a in home cockpit is in full speed, it will take me a minute but I am currently studying what It would take to build a PC that could handle 2x VR (f14 cockpit mainly but intended for any multi seat airframe) just need some great new ideas from the people who already know what's up!!
I am your biggest fan until I can fly :pilotfly: