Towards the end of September, Shoreham Airport hosted yet another aviation event, the Flight1 Open Day. Flight1 is a software company which produces several add-ons for the Microsoft Flight Simulator package including accurate recreations of aircraft and scenery. As well as several rooms around the main Terminal Building host talks and exhibitions of Flight Simulator equipment several real-world aircraft flew in.
Paul Johnson/Flightline UK reports. All photography by the author.
The Flight1 Open Day was certainly an interesting little event. Admission was free and pre-registered attendees got a free ‘goodie-bag’ which included an example of Flight1’s software in the form of their American Champion Aircraft package as well as other ‘freebies.’ The exhibition rooms were something of a shock to the casual flight simmer with near complete cockpits created for Microsoft Flight Simulator and other ‘flight sim’ packages! The level of technology involved was simply staggering and some of the virtual aircraft was equally eye-catching.
With the progress of technology, Microsoft’s software has become of use for real-world flyers and that was represented by the real aircraft on show outside the terminal. The Decathlon from Pheonix Flying Sussex represented the free software in the goodie bags and was available for close inspection and even trial lessons. It was joined by Flight1 sponsored Extra 300L flown by Justyn Gorman, Bev Pook’s Bucker Jungmann and a Piper L4 Cub.
However, the stars of the day were the aircraft from Maurice Hammond’s Hardwick Warbirds Collection. Leah Hammond brought in the North American Harvard while Maurice and Dave Evans brought in the stunning pair of P-51D Mustangs ‘Marinell’ and ‘Janie.’ Visitors were even treated to practice displays by Justyn Gorman in-front of the terminal at various points to cap an enjoyable and relaxed day at Shoreham Airport!
