I might need a little introduction to start since a lot of y’all probably don’t recognize me nowadays. If y’all don’t have the patience for the full thing feel free to skip to the bottom! For those who like a storytime, here goes:
Hey guys, I’m Gotcha
I still remember when I first picked up Infinite Flight almost 10+ years ago on my now outdated iPad 2nd generation. Back then, there was none of the fancy multiplayer, global scenery, and ATC that has become the heart of Infinite Flight. Rather, I was stuck in a small region doing back and forths between a fairly flat and dull KSFO and KOAK in a C172, doing barrel rolls and flips completely oblivious to how flying worked.
The 747 (If I’m remembering correctly) and Space Shuttle landing missions were a thing, every single airport was a level gray except for fractions of runway, and all cockpits were pixelated images rather than the current, standard, cockpit with active displays and instruments.
Fast forward many updates, multiplayer was introduced, and everyone was stacking LAX, KONT, KNUC and trying to figure out how to listen to ATC. Back then I thought multiplayer in itself was magical and absurdly advanced compared to other apps of the time. It was (I thought) definitely the furthest this sim would reach. Oh I was wrong.
Over the years, global scenery released, planes started getting wing flex and live instruments, 3D buildings were added. We lost some planes and gained a lot more, taxiway lights started adding some flair to ground, and…a beep ton of cool stuff started to pop up thanks to all the devs and team at IF.
But I’m not really writing this post to get all sentimental; that was just a little anecdote I wanted to put out there.
The one thing I love about Infinite Flight now is the community here. I remember back in the old days, when the forum wasn’t a thing, sending an email to the devs from my old iPad to ask for new planes or liveries. Fast forward many years and here we are, holding community polls on what new planes the everyone wants next.
That’s not all though. Multiplayer and this forum brought everyone together. IFATC, VAs, the awesome airport editors, community events throughout all the servers, *whisper* people angry at IFATC for ghosting them…yes I still remember who you are ;)
If you skipped, here’s the main part.
I’m halfway through college y’all. You would think you’d have more time to enjoy the things you like as you grow up (and don’t get me wrong, many still do). But for me, life took me down another path and I can only find time once a while to fly a short haul, more or less come back here.
I still love aviation, I love talking about aviation. But I regret not being able to spend as much time on IF as I would have hoped to, and even more regretful that I never got to experience most of what the community has to offer.
I might not be the most active community member, and I don’t post much, but over the years and behind the scenes, I can tell that everyone here is truly dedicated to what they do, from all the mods, recruiters, devs, and just all y’all pilots.
Old guys, y’all just keep it rolling. 10 years go by and y’all are still some of the most enthusiastic, inspiring people I’ve met online. Keep the IFATC running, keep pumping out amazing new planes and airports, keep making the community feel like a safe space for IF and aviation.
And to all the new guys: Join a VA, join IFATC, go vote in a poll for your favorite airplane or livery. Ask questions if you don’t know. Make a post and share some of your favorite in-flight pictures. If you’re anxious to make that first post, let me know and I’ll help you. Because I know, I’ll admit it, making my first post was as anxious as getting my first tooth removed.
Most people on this forum want to hear from you, and are more than happy to make you feel right at home. Hey, if you’re feeling bold, you can even ask Tyler how his day’s going. It might take a day or two…or three, but he’ll get back to you sometime. Or you can be really bold, go all and write a sentimental 1% inspirational story like me.
But most of all…enjoy Infinite Flight. The game y’all play today is something I would have awed at when I was younger, it’s truly something amazing. I’m on break from college right now and did a few flights this week for the first time in months. I’m seriously amazed. Start that flight that’s on your mind (you can always resume it later if you don’t have time). Do some of the challenges, fly some community events. Try a flight out of Cape Town or Jeju Island instead of JFK, LAX, or LHR. Give your A380 a break and go fly that C208, CRJ, and ERJ.
Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t a goodbye. I’ll still fly once in a blue moon…and if you catch me, feel free to DM me a screenshot and tell me how bad my landings are. But I think a 10 year wait is enough for me to get the courage and make this post: Love y’all, Love IF, Fly High Everyone!
p.s. @ToasterStroodie Sorry…I couldn’t be active enough on IFATC…I’ll repent for my sins later.