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By Kit Warfield, Microsoft Flight Simulator Team
Who are the Kings?
When you click the Getting Started button in Flight Simulator 2000, you're greeted by the smiling faces of John and Martha King. Pilots the world over recognize the Kings, as they've had a hand in training nearly half of all pilots in the United States and countless others worldwide.
In their four-minute “Getting Started” video, the Kings show Flight Simulator pilots how to quickly get out and flying, and how to optimize their Flight Simulator configuration.
How it all began
John and Martha founded King Schools, Inc., twenty-five years ago in San Diego, California. If their first business venture, a truck lubrication business, had been successful, the world might never have known the wit and wisdom of the Kings and their unique approach to flight training materials. But twenty-five years later, and literally hundreds of thousands of video sales later, the Kings have more than proven how to share their love of flying with the world. King Schools is an unequivocal success in the aviation training industry, branching out from videos to computer-based instruction.
You Name It, They Fly It
What's even more amazing about the Kings, though, is that no matter what it is, they not only can fly it, they can teach you how to fly it, too! They have the distinction of being the first husband & wife, (and Martha the first woman) to have earned every category and class of pilot's license and instructor certificate issued by the FAA.. That's everything from single-engine airplanes to jets; from multi-engine seaplanes to free balloons. They're even the backup crew for the Fujifilm blimp, getting the opportunity to steer that stately craft over major events such as the Super Bowl and the Indianapolis 500.
Click image for a larger picture
We had a chance to talk to John and Martha recently, and we figured it was high time the Flight Simulator world learned more about this remarkable couple. Here's what they had to say.
Flight Simulators in general, and Flight Simulator 2000, specifically
John and Martha's licenses and ratings
Flight Training Challenges
Global flight: flying outside of the USA
Scary Stuff
AirVenture 2000
N201FS -- It Could Be Yours!
Favorite Flying Memories
Words of Wisdom
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