A Flight Simulator Odyssey

by Charles Gulick

Across the Rhine

Chart: Southern West Germany
Title: ACRSS THE RHINE
En Route Coordinates:
   Aircraft: N17158, E15777
   Tower: Same as previous
Altitude:
   Aircraft: 2000
   Tower: Same as previous
Heading: 353
Time: Daylight

Again you're in West Germany, but in a moment, as soon as you cross the Rhine River, you'll be in France, continuing your flight toward the city of Strasbourg.

The cities in the Alsace-Lorraine area are in some ways more Germanic than Gallic. Most of the customs are those of the other side of the Rhine, including the way folks dress, the food specialties, and even the architecture.

But Strasbourg is noted for some specialties strictly Alsatian-- notably its pate de foie gras and other Alsatian culinary delights. Further, Strasbourg was the site where "La Marseillaise," the French national anthem, was composed in 1792--and you can't get much more French than that.

Strasbourg also has its own Notre Dame Cathedral, with a highly unusual astronomical clock. At noon, a human figure representing Death springs to life and strikes the hour, where-upon a figure representing Christ appears and blesses his Apostles. Finally, a cock crows as a reminder that St. Peter thrice denied he knew Christ on the eve of the crucifixion. That clock and all its complex workings was constructed and installed in 1574.

Your flyover will give you a good view of Strasbourg's parks, thoroughfares, and numerous bridges and canals, but there are no buildings simulated, and--thankfully--no TV tower can be found (if there were one, I'd take care not to point it out to you).

When you've left the city behind, bank left until Runway 23 at Entzheim Airport is straight ahead of you and proceed with a landing.

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