Who Is Hangar Studios 713?

Welcome to Hangar Studios 713: A Journey Through Aviation and Aircraft Development

Hello and welcome to my blog! I’m thrilled to share my personal journey and the evolution of my passion for aviation, which has led to the creation of Hangar Studios 713. My name is Nick AKA B4Gunner, and this blog will provide insight into my path from a lifelong love of aviation to developing detailed aircraft for Microsoft Flight Simulator (MSFS).

Roots in Aviation

I was born and raised in the Pittsburgh area, where my father’s career as a heavy maintenance overhaul mechanic for a major airline deeply influenced me. His work on DC-9s, following his service in the Air Force and his start with DC-3s, inspired my own journey in aviation. Growing up as the youngest of five siblings, with two brothers and two sisters, I always admired the intricacies of flight and mechanics.

Educational Path and Early Career

My journey began with private grade school and public high school, leading me to a local community college where I pursued a degree in aviation as a professional pilot. During my college years, I accumulated 106 flight hours in a Cessna 152 and 1 hour in a Citabria. I then continued my education at a private college, financing my studies largely on my own with some help from my parents.

After graduating, my first job was as a flight attendant for the same airline my father worked for. I spent five years in this role before taking a voluntary personal leave of absence post-9/11 to support my fellow flight attendants.

Career Shifts and New Beginnings

I then focused on spending more time with my family, which included becoming an executive in the operations field for a major retailer. I dedicated almost nine years to this role. Following a company downsizing, I transitioned to helping a lifelong friend start his business, a role I embraced for eight years.

Eventually, I returned to retail management with the largest retailer chain in the world. However, a back injury led me to rethink my career path, ultimately resulting in the creation of Hangar Studios 713.

The Birth of Hangar Studios 713

With Hangar Studios 713, I embarked on a new chapter, focusing on developing aircraft for MSFS 2020 and the upcoming 2024 version. My first aircraft, the Navion, marked the beginning of this exciting journey. Since then, I’ve developed three Navion models for MSFS 2020: the Camair 480 Twin Navion, the Navion B "Super 260," and the North American Navion L-17B and its variant, the L-17D. My plan is to bring these models forward into the new 2024 version of the simulator.

In addition to aircraft development, I have created scenery and dabbled in liveries for other well-known developers, learning from scratch with no prior experience beyond a minor in computer programming from college. This self-taught journey in development is ongoing, reflecting my dedication to continuous learning and innovation.

Looking Ahead

My latest endeavor is the American Champion (8KCAB) Super Decathlon, which will be featured in its own announcement blog post. This project represents another exciting step in my development career, showcasing my commitment to bringing detailed and realistic aircraft to the virtual skies.

Thank you for joining me on this journey. I hope you enjoy learning about my experiences and the developments at Hangar Studios 713. Stay tuned for updates and future blog posts as I continue to explore and expand the world of flight simulation.