AN AIR VOYAGE · THE GOLDEN ISLES

Take the
scenic route.

A wooden propeller. An endless evening.
A little freedom above the Golden Isles.

Sopwith Camel F.1 · quick on the ailerons, fast in a dive.

Fly the post through eight golden rings, then land at Northwold Field.

OPEN SKY. A LITTLE HISTORY. YOUR ADVENTURE.

YOUR FIRST FLIGHT

A gentle hand on the stick.

W / S — nose down / climb
A / D or ← / → — bank & turn
↑ / ↓ — increase / decrease throttle
C — chase, scenic, seated pilot, elevated forward views
P or Esc — pause · R — restart

Taking off. The Postal run begins parked on Marram Field, facing into the breeze. Open the throttle with ↑, keep straight with A / D, and pull back on S once the speed builds. The rings curve gently round to the north.

Landing. The last ring leaves you lined up with Northwold Field. Below 150 metres, amber chevrons mark a gentle glide, the altitude card shows your sink rate and the route card says whether you are high, low or on the glide path. Throttle back to about 20%, keep the wings level and let the aircraft settle; it flares by itself in the last few metres. On the wheels the throttle closes; hold B (the Blip button on touchscreens) to cut the rotary engine in bursts and brake. Roll to a full stop to deliver the post. From there, fly the route again, or stay and take off once more. Touching down anywhere but an aerodrome is still a crash.

Choose the Sopwith Camel or the Fokker Dr.I before takeoff, or switch in flight with the aircraft buttons above the flight modes (a fresh flight begins). The Camel is quick in roll and fast in a dive; the triplane climbs and turns tighter but rolls slower and dives slower.

On touchscreens, steer with the pad under your left thumb; Fire and the power slider sit under your right. On phones, Menu holds aircraft, flight, sound and restart. Fly a postal run through eight golden rings, shoot eight balloons in any order in Balloon patrol, or choose Free flight to explore without route marks. Changing flight mode starts a fresh flight. Release the stick to gently level out in assisted flight.

F / Aerobatics — toggle unrestricted pitch and roll. Hold S for a loop, A / D for an aileron roll, or combine a gentle pull with roll for a barrel roll. Build speed and altitude first. In aerobatics, releasing the stick holds your attitude; turn aerobatics off to ease back to level. Touch uses the same steering pad.

Space / Fire / left mouse — hold to fire the twin Vickers; release to stop. Aim with the airplane. Short bursts make the rounds easier to follow. Ammunition is unlimited; there is no reload. Sparse tracers show the bullet path, with splashes on water and dust on terrain. The sight marks the gun direction at 200 metres; allow for bullet drop and travel time. On touchscreens, hold Fire while steering with your other thumb.

Duel. Best of three rounds against a rival flying the other aircraft, from Northwold Field. Take off from Marram Field; guns go live once you are both aloft. Shoot it down, or outlast it, to take the round; win two, then land at home to claim the match. The damage card shows where you have been hit, and the screen's edge reddens when the rival is on your tail and firing. Choose the rival's skill: Cadet, Pilot or Ace.

THE POSTAL RUN

Post delivered.

To fly on from here: throttle up with ↑, then pull back on S.