Taking Risks at a Trio of Mount Rainier Airstrips, Virtually

‘Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020’ offers an opportunity for a low-level, risky flight that barely clears terrain.

Friday, May 24, 2024 at 11:39 AM ET

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A view of Ranger Creek Runway 33, with a guardrail down the length of it with some mid-runway camping zone. This kind of small detail goes a long way toward added immersion. [Image: Peter James]

Key Takeaways:

The author recounts a challenging simulated flight in *Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020* through three remote backcountry airports in Washington state, emphasizing the freedom to take risks not possible in real-life flying.
The simulation utilized the highly realistic "study level" Beechcraft 60 Duke, praised for its detailed modeling and requiring realistic operational care, to navigate the region's high terrain.
Freeware custom scenery enhanced the immersion of the targeted airports (Ranger Creek, Tieton State, and Strom Field), allowing for detailed exploration of their unique and difficult approaches, including a steep descent into Tieton and maneuvering around natural obstacles.
The experience provided valuable learning opportunities, such as the importance of practicing go-arounds and low passes, demonstrating how the simulator can mimic real-life flying scenarios and reinforce good pilot habits.

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I recently had the joy to fly the real Challenger 300 on a spectacular trip from the Seattle area to Thermal, California, and back on a glorious day. There was 100-mile or more visibility the entire route, with eye-popping views of Mount Rainier and other famous explosive peaks of the Pacific Northwest.

It was a great place to attempt to simulate in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 (MSFS2020)—a low-level, risky flight that barely cleared terrain.

Peter James

Peter is an experienced Part 135 business jet pilot with a passion for simulators and how they blend with the real world. Learning to fly at age 12, he supplemented his passion and career goals with the early versions of Microsoft Flight Simulator. With the growing realism of all PC simulators today, he frequently uses them for extra proficiency, and loves to show other pilots how great they are.