SimAddicts Anonymous

[ardypilot]

Thanks for introducing yourself guys- welcome to the team!

[JasFromOz]

Hi Jas, I know the feeling when things don't go fast enough. But sub atomic particles? Get down to the crux of the matter why don't you!

Okay...(you were serious, right? Don't read if you were kidding)




Yes, subatomic particles, mainly protons and alpha particles. We strip the electrons off of hydrogen atoms to produce the protons and generate the alphas using helium. We use these for Proton Induced X-Ray Excitation (PIXE) and Rutherford Backscatter (RBS) analysis, mainly.

I also get to play around with some more exotic species of ion beam; gold, silicon, copper, aluminum, etc. Beam energy is usually several million volts at a few hundred microamperes. We have one machine in Tennessee which generates protons in the hundreds of millions of volts.

I'm also involved with radiocarbon dating using the radioisotope 14C on our new Single Stage Accelerator Mass Spectrometers (SSAMS). They're getting to be very popular as it's an open air system and requires no insulating sulfur hexaflouride gas.

I have performed Plasma Source Ion Implantation on experimental nuclear reactor fuel rod cladding. I implanted gases such as krypton, oxygen, nitrogen, and xenon into samples of inconel, zirconium, and stainless steel. The samples were then subject to supercritical water for various periods of time and then analyzed for corrosion using Auger electron analysis.

I was involved with NASA's Genesis project a few years ago. I made some test samples for the project while I was still at the University of Wisconsin and then built the accelerator and MegaSIMS unit used to analyze the samples once they returned to Earth. Unfortunately, the capsule that returned to Earth suffered a malfunction and the parachute failed to open. Luckily, there were enough samples in well enough shape for analysis.



Anyway...................

I was hoping to be in Canberra early next year as we're installing a SSAMS system at Australia National University. I haven't been home to Oz since 1988.

[flynz]

Well thats a lot of jargon that I dont understand should have talked to you before my physics exam, would have aced the ataoms and radioactivity section but it all sounds very interesting (and complicated) and thanks for the insight into what you do

[Charl]

Unfortunately, the capsule that returned to Earth suffered a malfunction and the parachute failed to open. Luckily, there were enough samples in well enough shape for analysis.

Whoo I am truly embarrassed at revving you over in the Retro AI thread
Matter of interest, was that the capsule that was supposed to be snagged on its way down, by a couple of choppers in waiting?

[ardypilot]

Yes, subatomic particles, mainly protons and alpha particles. We strip the electrons off of hydrogen atoms to produce the protons and generate the alphas using helium. We use these for Proton Induced X-Ray Excitation (PIXE) and Rutherford Backscatter (RBS) analysis, mainly.

I also had an atoms and Atoms and Radioactivity activity paper in my Physics exam last week. When I started the topic I thought it was going to be crazily complex (at NCEA level 2), but I feel quite smart now I know what alpha, beta and gamma particles are, as well as how Ernest Rutherford discovered the structure of the atom

[ranm]

Hello, and thank for welcoming me in

My name is Ran and I'm based in Wellington. I use Flight sim since FS4, and am spending a lot of spare time (too much is you ask my wife) flying my sim. I fly mostly GA/Turbo props, as I find the big jets a bit boring. flights in a prop are generaly shorther so I tend to fly more rather then operate computers . Now that we have VATNZ, I may go back to online flying too.

I am a member of Virtual AirNZ, as well as an inovative litlle Israeli VA called Ait Air.

I am also experimenting with a mini home cockpit, and you can see the results in my home cockpit web page

Cheers - Ran

[Alex]

Ah yes, saw that when validating your account, looks like a very nice setup you have there, and welcome aboard.

Alex

[creator2003]

yeah welcome to nzff youve come to the right place ,and your input into copits will be of great knowleage...
mike

[ranm]

Happy to help where I can. that's the best way to learn

Ran

[Kelburn]

I thought that mabey I should introduce myself.
My name Is Tui (I won't say my last name just for security as you can't be to safe!)

I've only actually been flying on FS sicne FS2002 Pro.
But my first FS was FS98 but I was relly young so I didn't grasp it

So far I've only managed to get up to ILS landings and hands on approaches, you know all the stuff you're ment to know, but I just don't know how to do a VOR or NDB approach:whoops:. (could anyone help ).

Anyway, I play Field hockey and go to Wellington College (actually fell free to comment if you go there or even if you teach there).

I've loved flying for as long as I can remember and some of my earliest memories are actually flying from Wellington - Auckland on the 6:30am flight on Ansett New Zealand from gate 28. (by the way I was only between two - four when this happend)

I also live in Kelburn (Wellington) and if anyone lives near there please comment or send a PM.

Well thats about all I've got to say about me.

[G-HEVN]

Hi all,

My name's Tim, and I'm a 40-something software engineer from Oxford, England.

I've only been simming since 2003, when I was so cr@p at landing (a "good" landing was when I (a) didn't crash, abd ( b ) got somewhere close to the runway. An "excellent" landing was where my trajectory - you could hardly call it a flight path - at some point intersected some part of the runway!) that I decided to get professional advice... and now I have a PPL with night rating and more than 130 hours logged!

Why G-HEVN? Well, simply, it's the registration of the plane I fly. A Socata TB200GT Tobago, based at Enstone in Oxfordshire. I've also flown Diamond DA20 Katana, DA40 Diamond Star, PA28 Warrior, Socatas TB9 and TB10, with further unlogged stick time in TB20, Cessna 172, Jodel DR1080 Ambassador and Maule M5.

I'm just back from a two month stretch (well, it felt like it sometimes with the weather!) in Wellington, staying in Karori, not Kelburn - sorry mate! during which time I got to have a go in the Flight Experience 737 - the first time I'd tried flying a 'heavy', and it was rather fun!! Naturally the Godzone Wellington CD was waiting for me on the doormat when I got home!

Anyhow, the visa application goes in the post tomorrow...

[ZK-Brock]

Hi Tim, glad to have you on board. I can see most of the types you've flown are quite modern - Socatas, Diamonds and a Maule!

Pleased to meet ya

Brock

[Charl]

Yeah hi Tim good to have another real flyer around.
What drives you to simming?
There are many RW pilots that have a yen for it, (I'm a landlubber though) and I've wondered where the attraction lies?

[Codge]

Welcome to G-HEVN and Kelburn and Ranm (sounds like Romper Room)
Mainly wanting to reply to JasFromOZ post. Firstly could you post a picture of your wife and I'll think about it, you could send her FedEx or DHL,please no more than 70kg. Your inside knowledge of xray machines could really come in handy there. Isn't it back scatter they're using at airports now? Getting to the crux of the matter was not intended as a joke,and I'm glad you elaborated on the subject.
I like to keep as up to date as a layman can on particle physics and I'm particularly interested in Quantam Physics and to learn that the act of observing something is what causes it to be there! Absolutely mind bending stuff. This is basically the most important point taught to us at The Law of Attraction, another interest of mine that I'm involved with. How we and everything else including our thoughts are made up of these subatomic particles. I'm no expert on any of it just a keen armchair philosopher that loves to ponder such things.
Do you know how they're getting on with antimatter production and containment. I understand a Fusion reactor is being built by a multi-country effort?
We certainly live in interesting times, I'm still trying to come to terms with the 'Quanta' that will travel down the phone lines and through the ether (And yes there are those who say there is no ether coz we don't need one)!
It's all part of mine and lot's of other's search for who, what are we and what are we doing here? Facinating!

[Alex]

On a slightly shallower note (phew Codge ), welcome Tim.

Alex

[G-HEVN]

One post and already I'm shallow!

Charl: For me it really started the other way round -- simming drove me to RW flying, partly as a result of an inability to land actually on the runway. And then I thought, if you're going to learn how to do it, might as well learn how to do it properly... How I started simming? Well, back in the days of yore, when CGA was the de facto standard, and EGA simply to die for, we had a copy of Sublogic Flight Simulator in the office for "compatibility" testing. It was strictly wireframe graphics and keyboard contrl, but after a fashion we got the plane off the ground and sometimes managed to fly it a few feet before crashing. Anyhow, several jobs later, I happend to see a display of flight sim in a shop window (I think it was just after CoF had come out), so on a whim, I picked up a copy, and the rest is history.

Brock: Yeah, the club does have a fairly modern fleet. However, we've recently aquired a Super Cub and Chipmunk, so I can possibly see a tailwheel raitng in the near future... B)

[Codge]

Hi G-Hevn, Do you prefer simming or real world? I have seen alot of posts by pilots who all seem to prefer their sim. Of course this type of pilot will be the one who makes such a statement on a FS site, hardly a good survey, I was amazed that anyone would prefer simming, and then amazed more by how often I see this said!
BTW getting real flying lessons so you can fly your sim is a new one I've not heard before! certainly not shallow mate, that's pretty deep actually

[G-HEVN]

Of course, it wasn't really as simplistic as that. It all coincided with a birthday, and when I was asked what I wanted, I said a trial flight, and I really did think I could pick the instructor's brains about how to land better in the sim. The problem was, after that hour I was completely hooked, and one year and £7000 later I had a PPL in my hands!

The sim has certain advantages, particularly in terms of flying in conditions where you'd be stuck on the ground RW, or in being able to change the weather, or get out of those "oh sh*t I'm going to die" situations, not going green in turbulence or variable-G manoeuvres etc. And of course simply the cost per hour (even with all Robin and Christian's payware addons... )

Now, back to your question, simming or real world? There is just no contest. No matter how you try to gild it, at the end of the day, simming, you're just sat in a room in front of a screen playing a game, whereas in the air, it's just pure magic. I don't think there are any words better than those of P/O John Gillespie Magee Jnr. RCAF (June 9, 1922 "“ December 11, 1941):

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed and joined the tumbling mirth of sun-split clouds,--and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of -- wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless falls of air...
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, nor eer eagle flew--
And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod
The high, untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand and touched the face of God.

[Charl]

...whose gravestone is inscribed with the last couple of lines.

Phew! whoever said FS forums are inhabited by propellor-heads?
Me? I find RW flying probably a bit dangerous, and simming a complete escape to allow slipping the surly bonds of Earth .
Just add a dash of imagination...

[Matlo]

Hello all,

Another 'newbie' to the site. My name is Craig and I am 35/M from CHCH (well Kaiapoi actually).
Been simming for a few years off and on but been frustrated with the NZ community and it's 'moods'. This site looks like just the ticket to sort that out.

I work at NZCH and am married with two boys (15 and 12), two dogs, a cat and 1 mother in law (so therefore I am well down the pecking order - read 'bottom').

Ex Navy (hence the nickname of 'Matlo' an abbreviation of matelot).

Anyway currently flying FS9 and have just purchased and installed FSX but my setup won't run it to the standard I want, so I will have to get some brownie points in for an upgrade.

looking forward to spending some time on the forum and virtual skies with all the talent here.

Cheers


Craig

Aka Matlo (ZK-CWG)