Five ways in which the iPhone game Flight Control differs from a real-world job in Approach Control

Sunday 19 April 2009

  1. In the real world planes can’t do hairpin bends over the end of the runway at which they are about to land.
  2. In the real world planes can fly at different altitudes with more of a distinction than just ‘on the ground’ vs. ‘in the air’.
  3. In the real world aircraft don’t just magically disappear less than a second after touching the ground.
  4. In the real world when two planes collide it wouldn’t sound like someone dropping a tray of cutlery.
  5. In the real world if your negligence leads to two planes colliding over an airport you wouldn’t expect a polite clap (because you’ve succeeded in landing more planes in one session than ever before) and a salute from a 1960s-era stewardess: instead you’re probably in for months of counselling followed by criminal and civil lawsuits.

Still, it’s a fun game and no one has claimed that it’s realistic. My high score so far is 48. At that point the massive four-engine jets are coming in so thick and fast that I tend to ignore one side of the screen, with tragic consequences.

Comments

  1. Greg

    19 April 2009, 7.40 pm #

    Good to see you revising hard. I take it you can have the air stewardess congratulate you in French?

  2. Richard Flynn

    19 April 2009, 7.49 pm #

    Yes, indeed. I could dazzle you with my knowledge of maternity leave in France, or of the rap of Paris suburbs, but I won’t.

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