Where did you fly first in Flight Simulator? I’m intrigued by the question because I think it reveals so much. Did you fly home? What does home mean to you? Did you relive a trip? Why? And what happened when you did?
Microsoft Flight Simulator
- Developer: Asobo
- Publisher: Microsoft
- Platform: Played on Xbox Series S
- Availability: Out now on PC and Xbox Series S/X (included with Game Pass)
I didn’t go where I thought I would. Eventually I did – I flew over Brighton Pier, over my hometown, a flight I’ve been lucky enough to do in real-life, albeit in the back of a tiny plane while my brother flew it. It was a present for his birthday (we’re twins so I got to go along). He didn’t get the whole plane by the way! Just a lesson.
And I tell you what: those small planes get buffeted around by the wind a lot, don’t they? Oh, and don’t do what we did and get an instructor who thinks it’s hilarious to let go of the controls so those young lads on board get a thrill. It’s not hilarious. I practically shat my pants.
I didn’t fly to Brighton first, though. I went to Bulgaria, which surprised me. I went there because that’s where my partner grew up, and I know she misses it, so I thought I’d surprise her by flying over her home (a lovely town called Teteven). And it worked: she was glued to the screen. She began narrating the journey like a tour guide. “Look, there’s suchandsuch!” And “Oh I love these mountains.” And “There’s that bridge we went over in the coach!” And we did go over that bridge on a coach. But whereas I saw two journeys, she saw a whole lifetime.