FS Flight Ventures Handbook

FS Flight Ventures
By Matthias Schill and Abacus Software

Welcome to FS Flight Ventures.

FS Flight Ventures is an add-on for Microsoft’s Flight Simulator 2004. This exciting expansion pack adds a whole new dimension to your simulation experience.

Below you'll find everything you need to know to get off of the ground and into the new FS Flight Ventures world which includes 29 complete missions and the bonus Air Tractor AT802 aircraft - in both wheels and floats.

Table of Contents

          Mission 1 Briefing - UFO Spotting
          Mission 2 Briefing - Oil Spill
          Mission 3 Briefing - Alps Mountain Rescue
          Mission 4 Briefing - Ship Rescue
          Mission 5 Briefing - Missing Will
          Mission 6 Briefing - Midnight Mail Run
          Mission 7 Briefing - Big Foot
          Mission 8 Briefing - Medical Mercy Mission
          Mission 9 Briefing - Storm Chasers
          Mission 10 Briefing - Bermuda Triangle 1
          Mission 11 Briefing - Egyptian Curse
          Mission 12 Briefing - Loch Ness
          Mission 13 Briefing - Celebrity Wedding
          Mission 14 Briefing - Tanker Truck Accident
          Mission 15 Briefing - Bermuda Triangle 2

Troubleshooting and Support
Credits

Quick Start

After FS Flight Ventures is installed, start Flight Simulator 2004.

Next, click the Select A Flight option from the main screen.

In the Category listbox, choose Abacus FS Flight Ventures. You'll immediately see a list of missions in the Flight listbox.

After you've selected the flight, click the Fly Now! button which takes you to the Flight Simulator 2004 cockpit view.

At the top of the cockpit view, you'll see a message scrolling across the screen that says: "Mission Log Updated". This message appears each time you start a mission and also each time you complete a mission goal.

Press SHIFT+F10 to display the FS Flight Ventures Kneeboard.

At any time during your missions, you can review the information on the kneeboard by pressing the SHIFT+F10 keys.

The various tabs at the top of the kneeboard let you view a list of all missions; the current mission briefing; a map of the current mission; the mission log; the location of the mission destination; the cargo information and the mission settings.

Click any of the tabs at the top of the kneeboard to access the various pieces of information.

Use the Location tab to get directions to the exact goal area. This information includes the compass heading and distace you'll need to fly to reach the destination. You'll probably want refer to the contents of this screen frequently. Alternatively, you can refer to the Log tab to determine the destination airport and proceed to create a custom Flight Plan and fly the route using ATC and/or the Flight Simulator's GPS. In cases where the destination is not an airport, you will need to use the Location tab.

Watch out! Not every mission is as easy to complete as it may seem!

You can start a new mission at any time. To start a new mission, click the Missions tab on the FS Flight Ventures Kneeboard and click the Activate button after the desired mission. You can also access any mission briefing on this tab by clicking the corresponding Info button.

Note: When you select any of the FS Flight Ventures missions, you'll be flying a pre-selected aircraft. If you want to fly a different aircraft, you can choose another from the Aircraft | Change/Modify Aircraft menu if desired.

Installation

The scenery is normally installed at the end of the installation. If you do not recall setting up the scenery, or there is no new scenery when using your missions, you will need to run the Scenery Setup located in the Start | Programs | Abacus Software | FS Flight Ventures menu. This program will automatically install the scenery into FS2004. Simply follow the instructions on screen to add the scenery.

If the Scenery Setup fails or you are unable to install the scenery, you can add the scenery to the Flight Sim manually by opening Flight Sim and using the Scenery Library. Here's a step-by-step to follow if you have to add the scenery manually: NOTE: Only use these instructions if you are SURE the scenery is NOT in Flight Sim.

1. With the FS Flight Ventures is installed from the CD, open Flight Sim.
2. From the opening screen, click Settings option on the left. NOTE: If Flight Sim automatically puts you into the sim, press Escape (ESC) and choose End Flight, then enter the Settings
3. Click the Scenery Library button.
4. Click the Add button. NOTE: If you see FS Flight Ventures listed, the scenery IS installed and you should cancel back to FS.
5. In the Select Scenery Directory window, double-click the SCENERY folder. You may need to scroll to the right to see it.
6. Single-click the ‘AB_FSFV_West’ folder.
7. Be sure “Use The Scenery Directly” is checked and click OK. You’ll return to the Scenery Library window.
8. Click the Add button again.
9. In the Select Scenery Directory window, double-click the SCENERY folder.
10. Single-click the ‘AB_FSFV_East’ folder.
11. Be sure “Use The Scenery Directly” is checked and click OK. You’ll return to the Scenery Library window.
12.Click Ok.

In order for FS2004 to recognize the new scenery, you must Close Flight Sim and open it again. FS2004 will build a new database for the scenery while restarting.

Using FS Flight Ventures

Launching a Mission

There are two ways to start an FS Flight Ventures mission:

1) From the Flight Simulator main menu:

Select the SELECT A FLIGHT menu

Select the Abacus FS Flight Ventures category

Choose the flight entry of a mission of your choice

2) From the FS Flight Ventures kneeboard:

Open the FS Flight Ventures kneeboard by

selecting the FS Flight Ventures pull down menu under Modules or

pressing SHIFT + F10

Select the MISSONS tab

Click Activate for the mission of your choice

Note that you can preview the mission briefing and map without launching the mission by clicking on the appropriate Info button under the MISSIONS tab.

<Back To Top>

Flying a Mission

Once a mission is launched you will find yourself at the start location of the selected mission with a pre-chosen aircraft. At this time you can change aircrafts if so desired. But remember, many missions require the transport of passengers or cargo. If you fly with the more realistic Apply cargo weight to aircraft option enabled (for more details see the SETTINGS tab information below), make sure you select an aircraft that can handle the expected weight by checking the requirements in the mission briefing.

Now you are free to tackle the mission as you desire. A complete pre-flight with winds aloft and weight and balance calculation is recommended, but, since this is just a simulation, you won’t have to worry about a call by the FAA if you decide to just go for it.

Mission goals at airports are generally at the airport’s fuel station to make it easier to find them. To locate a mission goal at larger airports use the directions shown under the LOCATION tab. In order to accomplish a goal taxi to it and fully stop the aircraft at a distance of about 100 feet or less.

NOTE: Since ATC taxi options selected by Flight Simulator 2004 cannot be influenced by FS Flight Ventures, there are two cases in which you have to deviate from the ATC directions given:

1) When landing at the final airport to finish a mission you may be assigned a parking spot different from the FS Flight Ventures base parking. Simply ignore the assignment and taxi to the FS Flight Ventures base.

2) When landing at an airport to pick up or drop off cargo or passengers it is suggested to use the “Taxi For Takeoff Options” when first contacting ATC after landing. Make sure to use the correct selections needed for the upcoming airport departure. Then deviate from the assigned taxi route in order to achieve the mission goal. Return back to the ATC instructed taxi route when heading back to the runway.

Goals or waypoints that do not require landing need to be flown over within a radius of about 300 feet and usually below 2000 or 3000 feet above ground level.

<Back To Top>

Finishing a Mission

Missions generally end at the same location from where you start. When all of the mission goals are accomplished, head back to the starting airport (listed under the LOCATION tab), taxi to the FS Flight Ventures FBO where you started and stop the aircraft fully.

If an AI aircraft happens to park at the FS Flight Ventures FBO upon your return, just park behind it or anywhere else in close proximity to the FBO or FS Flight Ventures sign to complete the mission. Make sure to make a note of the offending plane’s type and call sign and file an official complaint with the local airport authority.

<Back To Top>

Loading and Saving a Flight

When saving a flight with the Flight Simulator 2004 Save Flight function while a mission is active, the mission status and cargo information is automatically attached to the saved file. When loading the file FS Flight Ventures will continue with the same status at the time of saving the flight.

NOTE: The mission status is NOT automatically saved on game exit in the Previous Flight file. Make sure to manually save a flight before exiting if you desire to continue it later.

The FS Flight Ventures Interface

Key Commands

The key command to show or hide the FS Flight Ventures kneeboard is SHIFT + F10

This assignment cannot be changed and is not used on default by Flight Simulator 2004. If it has been assigned to another function, please free it in the FS command assignment menu in order to avoid problems.

<Back To Top>

Interface Tabs

Help Tab

Shows help information

Missions Tab

Shows a list of all of the FS Flight Ventures missions.

Use the Mission Pack pull-down selector to choose between various Mission Packs (we expect to release future mission packs) and the scroll bar to scroll through all available missions of the selected Mission Pack.

Click Info to preview each missions briefing and map without launching the mission.

Click Close on the briefing preview to return to the mission list.

Click Activate to launch the desired mission.

<Back To Top>

Briefing Tab

Map Tab

The map window is separate from the FS Flight Ventures kneeboard and can remain on the screen when the kneeboard is closed.

Log Tab

In contrast to the static briefing, the LOG is continually updated as mission goals are accomplished. Check here for mission related information that may not be known at the beginning but is revealed during the course of the mission.

Location Tab

The top half of this screen shows the distance and location of all active waypoints or goals which currently need to be reached in order to advance the mission progress. This information can be partially disabled if a higher challenge in terms of navigating the mission is desired (see the SETTINGS tab information).

Cargo Tab

To the left the type and weight of the cargo is listed. To the right the payload station which is being used for the cargo is shown.

Note: Cargo weights are not actually applied to the aircraft weight unless the Apply cargo weight to aircraft option is enabled under SETTNGS.

If the Apply cargo weight to aircraft option is enabled, you can use the payload selector pull down menu to balance the aircraft as desired by selecting a different payload station. Use Flight Simulator’s Fuel and Payload menu to view the cargos effect on the payload.

Settings Tab

Store log in file
If this setting is active all LOG entries are attached to a text file called PLAYER_LOG.LOG stored in the FS Flight Ventures folder under the Flight Simulators main folder. Otherwise the mission LOG is reset at each start of Flight Simulator 2004.

Display log window on update
If this setting is active the FS Flight Ventures kneeboard with the LOG tab selected will be made visible whenever there is a new LOG entry. Otherwise you will only be informed of log updates by the scrolling message on top of the screen.

Show only local goal locations while taxiing
If this setting is active no goal or waypoint distance and direction information is shown under the LOCATION tab. In this case you have to rely on the information given in the mission briefing and log to find each mission goal. This makes certain types of missions considerably more challenging.

Note: Even if this setting is active the LOCATION tab will still show the direction and distance to local mission goals while taxiing. This is to assist in finding meeting spots (usually the fuel station or your home base) at large airports.

Apply cargo weight to aircraft
If this setting is active, the mission related cargo weights are applied to the aircraft and affect the aircrafts behavior accordingly.

Due to a limitation in Flight Simulator, FS Flight Ventures has to switch to the Flight Simulator’s Payload Settings dialog in order to apply the weights to the aircraft. No manual changes are needed, just verify the weight settings if so desired and exit out of the dialogs with Ok or Cancel.

NOTE: While an FS Flight Ventures mission and this setting is active, all manual changes to the payload settings are overridden. That’s why it is important to select an appropriate aircraft for each mission.

Close Tab

About Tab

Mission Overviews

Mission 1 Briefing - UFO Spotting

The U.S. military has called you on a clandestine mission to discover the source of an unidentified blip reported by their radar. Under direct orders from his superior officers, Major Masters has downplayed the incident and has been instructed to investigate the site himself. Major Masters has chosen you specifically for this mission.

He will be anxious to arrive at the site as he has a strong suspicion that this could be evidence of extraterrestrial life and for this reason this mission is TOP SECRET and instructions have been dictated from the highest level of government.

You mission starts at North Las Vegas airport, your home base. Once you pick up Major Masters at Indian Springs Air Force Base, you will be allowed clearance to fly in restricted Area 51 airspace for this mission, a mission referred to as Air X. Your mission will be complete when you return Major Masters back to Indian Springs so he can report to his commanding officers.

This may be a once in a lifetime opportunity to legally enter the highly restricted Area 51 airspace. Good Luck !

Mission 2 Briefing - Oil Spill

As you have had experience as a volunteer aide worker flying cleanup crew and supplies during the 1989 oil spill your help has been called for a similarly spectacular accident. Like the 1989 disaster in Prince William Sound, Alaska, the SAGE has become aground on a reef.

One group will work on transferring remaining oil in the hold of tanker to a second ship which was notified soon after the SOS call but has not yet arrived at the site.

The second group’s mission is perhaps more daunting: to begin the cleanup of the oil that has already leaked into the ocean. Workers in this group are divided in to the following tasks: containing the oil around the tanker and aiding wildlife exposed to oil.

Unlike the previous accident, which caught many people by surprise, this accident has been anticipated for and an emergency protocol established. Officials begin contacting people on a list comprised of locals willing to aid in emergencies such as this, many of whom have assisted in previous disasters. You are part of this network of individuals and have been one of the first people contacted for your ability to transport people to and from the site.

You are presently in Birchwood, AK. Fly your seaplane to the Anchorage International Airport to pick up relief workers and emergency supplies. Then, land next to the tanker so you can drop off your anxiously awaited cargo. As you are well aware of, make sure to land outside of the contained area to avoid damage to your aircraft. Your leadership and experience will be a great help.

Mission 3 Briefing - Alps Mountain Rescue

Emile Simon, an experienced high mountain guide has led a group of novice skiers to the extreme: they are stranded in the snow after an avalanche. They were last reported near the summit of the Jungefrauenjoch.

Rescue workers were alerted by small radio devices the party was carrying which transmit a signal if an avalanche strikes and can help locate victims.

In an avalanche accident, if there are no fatal injuries, the chance of survival is 92% in the first 15 minutes. However, this percentage drops to 30% between 15 to 35 minutes after the accident. Needless to say, you must hurry.

Mission 4 Briefing - Ship Rescue

You are one of approximately 8,000 civilian volunteer for the Coast Guard. You have been called to aid the rescue of a sinking cargo ship in Florida. The MISS BEE called in an SOS reporting an explosion, which resulted in fire and serious flooding. Submergence of their craft is imminent.

The Coast Guard's priority is to rescue the ships five man crew, of course. The shipping company is to organize a salvage mission for any cargo that has survived the fire in order to comply with maritime law. Officials denied the ship permission to jettison the cargo due to its content.

Lead a search mission to find their exact location and report back to the rescue headquarters in Miami at Kendall-Tamiami Executive airport. Good Luck.

Mission 5 Briefing - Missing Will

Your uncle, the eccentric late millionaire Marshall James, loved to play games. The successful toy company owner especially enjoyed board games and had run a very profitable board game division.

For his last hurrah, Marshall has created one final game. In a sealed envelope that was supposed to have contained his last will and testament, Marshall has placed instead a crude map to an airport. On the bottom of the map are the words "START." Knowing your uncle as you do, you know that in order to find the will you need to play his game.

Begin by using the map to locate the start mark. Fly to the destination on this map. There you will be given a clue by Joe Schmoe which leads you to the next clue. Continue following the clues until you locate the final airport. The first person to find the will receives a bonus of 5 million dollars.

Fortunately, you are the only pilot in the family which gives you a considerable advantage over the others. It is no surprise - you were your uncle's favorite relation.

Mission 6 Briefing - Midnight Mail Run

Every pilot becomes Santa Claus on Christmas if they work for one of the largest air transport companies as you do. The volume of packages this year is enormous. Good thing it translates into some good overtime for your work. Santa Claus probably never had it so good. You don’t have any reindeers to worry about, either.

Collect mail from three airports and deliver it to the main cargo hub at Memphis Intl in Memphis, TN. Each load must be unloaded at the hub before you can travel to the next airport.

You start out in Detroit, where you immediately receive your first cargo. Fly directly to the cargo hub in Memphis to drop it off.

Collect a second batch of packages destined for Memphis in Chicago. After that has been unloaded in Memphis, head to your last destination in Columbus, OH.

There you pick up your last batch of packages to be delivered to Memphis. Once that has been accomplished you need to head back home to Detroit to finish the mission.

The guys secretly suspect that this is your favorite time of year and give YOU a present to take on your route tonight: a Santa hat!

Mission 7 Briefing - Big Foot

The Canadian Wildlife Service has received multiple reports of a creature fitting the description of Bigfoot (or Sasquatch, as the creature is known in Canada).

A group of geologists working near Keele Peak in the Yukon Territory and one forest ranger have described an apelike being that resembles a man, since the being seemed to walk upright. They have also reported unusual noises similar to the hooting of chimpanzees.

These reports are taken a little more seriously these days, ever since the discovery of an imprint possibly belonging to the creature was found in southern Washington state. The impression of a creature's left forearm, hip, thigh, and heel was discovered in September 2000 in the Skookum Meadows area of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.

The print was not attributable to any known animal species lending credence to the possibility of the existence of Bigfoot. However, since no conclusive evidence of the creature has been found despite the abundance of supposed sightings, a healthy amount of skepticism exists as well.

Be prepared to land your plane in the wilderness in case any of the reports turn out to be true.

Mission 8 Briefing - Medical Mercy Mission

Since you own your own plane, are an experienced pilot, and have a kind heart, you have volunteered to transport an 8 year old girl named Veronica Lou to a hospital to receive her new heart.

Veronica needs a heart transplant due to a congenital defect. Specifically, she has a malformed valve which causes her heart to have to work harder than normal heart. Over time, this causes stress on the organ. For some reason the heart has not responded well to attempts to repair the valve surgically.

The family has been waiting almost all her young life for a new organ and had almost given up hope. Word has come in that a heart was available in Salt Lake City, UT but the family lives in Casper, WY.

That is where you have stepped in. You are part of a non profit organization called Angel Flight that offers flights to families in need such as this one and will fly the family at no cost to them. Fly your precious cargo to the hospital in Salt Lake City and return home after.

Mission 9 Briefing - Storm Chasers

It is storm season and tornadoes are ravaging Oklahoma. Today there is no hiding in the basement for you.... Together with your passenger, an experienced storm spotter, you need to fly to the El Reno airport and pick up the new Transmeteor Inhibitor test version.

This device is designed to be dropped into the eye of a tornado to monitor its strength and detonate a powerful charge capable of dispersing the tornado by disrupting the air pressure and flow. After receiving the correct charge, the tornado essentially evaporates.

Smaller and lighter than earlier versions of this instrument, the challenge will be to drop the device into the eye and escape before becoming caught in the tornado.

Once you have the device, head out to the tornado chosen by the storm spotter to test it.

Mission 10 Briefing - Bermuda Triangle 1

You are flying a charter aircraft to from Bermuda to New York. The flight is booked, full of passengers returning home from their vacations.

As this is your first time flying this route, you are excited but also a little concerned. You don't want to sound like a rookie, but what about all of those ships and planes that were lost in the area known as the Bermuda Triangle?

The Bermuda Triangle, or Devil's Triangle, spans about 440,000 square miles and includes the area between the island of Bermuda, the coast of southern Florida and Puerto Rico.

You will have to cross the entire triangle to get to your destination, the La Guardia Airport in New York. It will be ok, won't it?

Mission 11 Briefing - Egyptian Curse

The Giza pyramids are one of the most spectacular tourist sights in Egypt. Their age and mystery has sparked the interest of travelers from all over the world.

As a small plane owner in Egypt you are trying to offer an even more spectacular event, the view of the Pyramids and Sphinx from the air.

Finally you have managed to sign up two tourists from the US and now your new business venture is under way. Some people have voiced concerns over such a venture, but you are too busy doing your flight planning than listening to the rambling of pessimists.

Mission 12 Briefing - Loch Ness

You never tire of helping to solve mysteries - in fact you are getting quite a reputation for shuttling top reporters and scientists to make discoveries in their respective fields of interest. Some even consider you a good luck charm.

You are definitely the National Query's top choice. Reporter Dee Dee Tscherch has been assigned to uncover the truth about recent Loch Ness monster sightings. A group of tourists from Canada have reported seeing a dinosaur like head emerge out the Loch Ness waters and have taken video footage of that creature. The National Query couldn't believe their eyes since the image of the creature is detailed enough to see neck scales and an eye. However, nothing short of physical evidence will finally put this story to bed.

Use your pilot's intuition to help Dee Dee find the creature that has been eluding people since 565 AD when a Christian missionary is said to have seen the monster. Pick up Dee Dee at Inverness airport.

Mission 13 Briefing - Celebrity Wedding

It's the wedding event of the year. America's sweetheart and ensemble star of a top rated sitcom is marrying the most eligible bachelor – well, prince if you want to get specific - in the world. EVERYONE wants this story. The only catch is the stars of this wedding have kept the location secret. How Hollywood!!!

Leave it to gutsy reporter Lisa King to find out. The tabloid she works for wants to scoop the competition so Lisa won't disclose the location to you until you pick her up.

Your aircraft is at the Whiteman airport in Los Angeles. Fly to the Van Nuys airport to pick up Lisa and you will be on your way.

Mission 14 Briefing - Tanker Truck Accident

You’ve got a breaking story to cover. You’re a Chicago news pilot and the station has just informed you about a five-car crash involving a tanker truck that has resulted in a dangerous chemical spill.

Officials believe the truck is leaking chromium. They are advising residents to remain indoors and shut windows and doors. They are also asking residents to turn off air conditioners in order to prevent air from the outdoors from being brought in.

Drivers in the area are being told to use recycled air while in their vehicles and to avoid the area surrounding Kennedy Expressway northeast of Chicago downtown.

Both sides of the interstate are closed due to this accident affecting westbound lanes in order to protect drivers from the toxic fumes. The freeway is expected to be closed for hours while the possible leak is investigated and cleaned up.

Several injuries were reported, however, most were minor in nature. The accident is thought to have occurred when a driver attempted to change lanes and was hit by another driver which sped up in an attempt to prevent the lane change although this is something the station wants investigated further.

Pickup reporter Juliet Draggs who has been assigned to the accident beat for your news station and cover the story from the air. She will be waiting for you at Meigs Field in Chicago.

Mission 15 Briefing - Bermuda Triangle 2

Word of mouth is that some sailors sighted several ships, thought to be missing for decades, in the area known as the Bermuda Triangle. Sightings include the ‘Southern Districts’ which vanished in 1954 as well as the ‘Witchcraft’ which disappeared in 1967.

Everyone at the bar is talking about it. Harry, the bartender hands you the phone: apparently you get a chance to find out. Skeptical British authorities have contacted you to investigate - they don't take this seriously enough to send one of their own.

You will start out from your home in the St. Thomas Virgin Islands and fly directly to the notorious Bermuda Triangle. The British officials have asked for a briefing of your findings at their base on the British Virgin Islands.

Ships AND planes have been lost in the triangle under mysterious circumstances. Will you be able to shed light on this mystery or will you become another unsolved mystery yourself?

If you ask the Brits, these stories are the product of the overactive drunken imagination of a couple of guys. The sailors on the other hand start taking bets that this is the last time anyone is going to see you in this or any other bar. At least Harry is on your side. He slides you a strong drink. Good thing your flight doesn’t start until tomorrow morning.

Mission 16 Briefing - Alaska Bear

Bush pilots have radioed in reports of a polar bear stranded on an ice floe. You need to confirm reports and if true, direct rescue personnel to the location so that they can rescue the poor castaway.

The bear looks like it has been stranded on the ice floe for some time and appears sickly and skinny. He probably had fallen asleep only to wake up to realize the ice floe had broken off and that he is now floating in open water.

Polar bears are normally able to swim up to 50 miles. However, this polar bear seems to have been immobilized for some reason, possibly due to an injury due to a hunter's shot. As a bear lover you cannot stand by while this creature continues to suffer. You want to help immediately.

Mission 17 Briefing - Fugitive Search

You often aid police in their pursuit of criminals and in their investigations. The police have asked for your assistance on catching a group of criminals who continue to be a thorn in their side.

The Gutlan Gang consists of 3 brothers from Oklahoma. They have been on a crime spree across the Midwest robbing banks, armored cars, gas stations and stealing cars for their getaways.

Their latest crime was at the First Midwest Bank of Southern Utah and the Gutlan Brothers have reportedly been spotted fleeing to the north. The Police need your help to hunt down the fugitives, who may have split up to confuse their pursuers.

The police believe one brother is in a remote log cabin in the woods and was driving a green pick-up truck. Another brother has wrecked his stolen blue van just of the highway about 15 miles away from the cabin. Another brother was spotted in a red sports car heading to a small airport to steal a plane for his escape into Canada.

You need to fly Captain Harris to each of these locations to verify the truth in these eye witness reports and then return Captain Harris back to Cedar City.

Mission 18 Briefing - Antarctic Supply Run

The Abacus research station in Antarctica houses an international group of scientists studying climate change and pollution by collecting and examining ice cores.

Almost completely covered in ice, there is very little potential for the temporary settlers here to achieve self reliance. They are almost completely dependent on shipments of supplies to survive.

You are the pilot responsible for transporting these regular provision deliveries to the station. Needless to say, you are always a welcome sight at the station as you provide these much needed items.

Start out in Palmer Station where the supplies have been loaded into your aircraft.

The Abacus research station is equipped with a low altitude class VOR with DME at a frequency of 109.60 MHz. It also provides a prepared landing area in a N/S direction which is marked by flags. Try to stay on that hardened area as you may lose control of the plane if landing on the unprepared icy areas surrounding the station.

Mission 19 Briefing - Polar Expedition Rescue

The German adventurer Eberhard Streck is trying to reach the North Pole alone on foot. After two weeks into the campaign the base station has received the evacuation signal from his emergency locator beacon. It appears he has somehow lost his bearings or has run into another obstacle. He left a map with the route he has been planning to follow and the location of the beacon appears to be several miles off.

Your mission is to attempt a rescue of Eberhard. He will most likely not be in a condition that he can continue his campaign. Of great concern to camp coordinators is the fact that they have lost radio contact.

You will of course be notified if contact with him is reestablished. When you find him, be prepared to quickly transport him to the Longyear airport in Svalbard where he can be met with ambulances so that he can receive medical attention.

Mission 20 Briefing - Cruise Ship Outbreak

A cruise ship currently in the Atlantic Ocean northeast of Boston, has reported a medical emergency. 30 cruise ship passengers have reported a stomach ailment possibly the cause of a virus or exposure to bacteria from something they have came into contact with. These passengers are in individual confinement in their rooms while their family members that have not been seemingly affected have been relocated to new rooms.

Before the ship reaches land, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention would like to determine what the unlucky travelers are suffering from. If there is an outbreak of an unknown or known virus that can spread quickly when the ship reaches the mainland, it is also preferable to contain the disease on the ship as opposed to exposing a defenseless city with an illness that could affect thousands of people and may or may not have a cure.

Hopefully, what they have on this ship is a case of food poisoning that can easily be identified and the patients easily treated and not a more potent threat to the world in general.

Your job is to quickly transport supplies so that the CDC can start their investigation. You will pick up the supplies in Bedford, MA.

Mission 21 Briefing - Las Vegas Tourists

Tony, your scheduler for your sightseeing tour flights out of Vegas tells about the couple that has booked the next flight: an older couple visiting Nevada for the first time. In fact, as they have already told Tony, neither of them has even set but one foot out of Kansas.

As a gift from their 6 grown children and their 20 grandchildren, Grandma and Grandpa are experiencing the best America has to offer: the Grand Canyon AND Las Vegas in an all expense paid vacation including this airborne tour. Not bad for a person's first time out of Kansas!

Show the couple the grandeur of the Grand Canyon’s South Rim, then head back to Nevada. Pass over the Hoover Dam on your way back to Vegas and fly over the strip for the grand finale. That will give them something to tell the kids!