The first year in review

I just can't believe it is already one year since i started on this journey. What a surprising year it was!!

Did I complete my sim in this one year? No, I haven't even started building yet.

Even though i knew a year back, that this is going to take time, i now have a clear idea of what lies ahead and what to expect realistically.

Besided hours and hours of research and reading posts on various newsgroups, here are my major accomplishments in the last one year:

• built the computer(s) and setup the network
• getting better at flying
• selected IOCards as the hardware interface system and built the cards
• bought Project Magenta, set it up and started climbing the steep learning curve
• started programming the iocards for various panels
• met some great, helpful builders online and made some good friends across the globe.

The best reward in this hobby, surprisingly came in the form of the last one in the above list, totally unexpectedly. I have never met so many helpful, generous and contagiously enthusiastic souls in my life before, than I did in this last one year. It almost feels like membership in an exclusive global club, where almost everyone knows the other. Major part of my learning came from these fellow builders, who happily shared their treasured collections, years of their research information, all just for simply asking (in somecases even without asking!!). A big thanks to you all.

In particular, i cannot miss this opportunity to thank the following folks individually.

• Chris W Balmer - for kindly sharing your docs
• Daniel, Tegelen - for the incredible information on the shell construction
• Hans Schuetz - for all your help and importantly introducing Klaus :-)
• Johan Nauwelaertz de Agé - for patiently explaining and helping me with the pedals design
• Klaus Troemer - thanks my friend for being the kind soul you are
• Thomas Konditi - still can't believe you took the trouble to setup a ftp site, just so that i can download information..
• Matthias Spahrmann - the very first builder friend who taught me a lot patiently
• Manuel Vélez - amazing example of how much difference one person can make in this world. Thanks for your iocards project and your relentless, day-in day-out support to builders all across the globe.

All of you made me a better person. You made me wanting to share more and help other builders in anyways i can. Thank you.

Last but not the least, this hobby demanded whatever the little free time, if at all any, that i have in my busy work life. That, need for time, is the hard part in this hobby. And it was harder on my sweet wife Vijaya than it was for me. Thanks Chinna, for all your understanding and support. You even learned how to solder!! and helped me with building the interface cards, just to spend more time together!! Thank you Chinna.

Looking into the future year, hopefully, i get to finish some area in my basement so that i can start the construction. One good improvement in this one year as i noticed is - panels market is further maturing and improved panels from FDS and others are coming into the market. So, currently i am not minding the wait.

In all, it was an intese research/learning phase of the project. So the new builders out there - be prepared for a looooooooong time before you see an AirBus or Boeing parked in your basement!!

See you all here with a similar report in a short year!!