fandomhigh | Flight and Flying [Friday morning]

The flight simulator looked radically different than it had last week.

For one thing, there was only one. It was also longer, sleeker, and painted maroon and white.

Anakin leaned up against it, waiting for the class to arrive. When they came in, he put the box of cookies from J,GoB on a table and turned to face them.

"This is the training sim for the Delta-7 Aethersprite Interceptor," Anakin said, patting it. "It's better known as the Jedi starfighter. Today we're going to use it to practice flying in a zero-g environment."

He pushed a button and the door to the simulator swung open. "Because it's a trainer, it's designed for two people--a pilot and an instructor--to fit. The real things only have room for one being on the inside and an astromech droid," he looked at the class, "um, think of it as a robotic co-pilot of sorts who can get to mechanical problems while you're flying. For example, fixing shields that have been damaged by laser fire." He pointed at the empty socket on the simulator. "Obviously, I don't have an astromech with me, but the sim's been programmed to make up for that. And for very elementary maneuvers like we'll be working with today, you don't really need to learn how to work with the astromech."

He pointed into the inside of the cockpit. "There are a lot more controls on the starfighter than the podracer, obviously. Here you need to regulate atmosphere, gauge fuel and weapons' levels, as well as communications, landing gear and assorted other bells and whistles."

He smiled at them. "But don't worry too much--you're not going to be tested on this." He sat in the cockpit and ~~handwavily~~ showed them how to make the ship speed up, slow down, turn and spin. "Obviously, this moves much faster than the podracer," he said, "and the sim has been programmed with the grav you'd have in your cockpit, so if you spin yourself too fast, you will make yourself sick. And then you will be cleaning out the sim."

Anakin clasped his hands together. "Okay. You'll each get a chance to try the sim out to learn how it works. You'll be in a program set way out in space so there's nothing for you to hit if you can't figure out how to steer right away and stuff. Once you feel more comfortable, there'll be a choice of two courses to run through--one that's strictly testing you on mobility, the other than also allows you to use the laser cannons."

He smiled. "Have fun. Oh, and Cedric and Draco? If you could stick around after class, I'd appreciate it."

[OOC: ~~Wait for the OCD, plz...~~ Come play!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Must be if she's letting you play with her computer," Cameron said, amused.

"I'm well aware of the honour," Peter replied, still smiling. "She's very concerned about that computer."

"Oh, computer geek?" Cameron grinned. "She must like you a lot then."

Peter? Blushing? Couldn't be.

"I suppose so," he said. With a change of subject, Peter might have thought was smooth he nodded at the simulation, "have you flown one of these before?"

Cameron noted the blush and stored it away for later references.

"No, I don't think so. I've flown one of the sims from Anakin's world before, but it wasn't this particular model."

Peter nodded. "Sometime after this workshop, I'm going to have to go up in a real plane, I think."

"You should," Cameron said as he really wasn't the person to argue with him on this. "Is that why you signed up for the workshop?"

"When I was a kid, I watched the RAF during the Blitz and wanted to join it when I grew up," he shrugged. "That's not going to happen now, but it seemed providential to learn how to fly anyway. What about you?"

"I think I've wanted to fly for as long as I remember," Cameron said. "My dad being in the USAF probably didn't help either. I've already applied for the Academy."

"My dad was a Navy man," Peter replied. "Is your Academy to get a Commission or will they teach you how to fly there?"

"Commission. you don't learn how to fly until afterwards. I'll have a bit of a head start thanks to Anakin's flight simulator." Cameron explained and tilted his head. "They don't have planes at Cair Parasomething?"

"I should think so," Peter agreed. "And no, we're a bit less technologically advanced at home. Like on the Middle Ages level only without the Black Death."

"That's too bad. Don't you miss it?"

"Yes," Peter said emphatically. "It's a lot of fun here, but I feel like I'm shirking duties at home."

"But you came here with a reason, no?" Cameron asked.

"Not at first, I came because my guardian sent me. But now, knowing my sister's here? Yes, I suppose I do."

"If your guardian sent you, then I think people at home will know that you're not trying to get out of your duties," Cameron said. "But it's good to have a reason for yourself too."

Peter grinned. "Oh, I know. Bit more difficult convincing myself of that at times. What about you? What's your reason for being here? It's not a very military environment."

"Not military, no. It's still a special school that comes highly recommended so it does help my chances to get into the Academy," Cameron explained.

"Makes sense then," Peter replied. "Will it help you that your Dad's already an officer or don't militaries work like that anymore."

"In theory, it probably shouldn't work like that. I guess it does carry some weight around if your dad's got a pretty high rank," he shrugged. "I don't want it to work like that. I'll get in on my own strength or not at all."

Peter nodded. "Sounds about right to me. I'm sure you will get in."

Cameron smiled. "Thanks. I hope so."

"My turn," he said with a grin, noticing the flight sim was free.

"Keep an eye out for those asteroids," Peter called with a wave.

Flight and Flying [Friday morning]

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