Thanks for the feedback and questions.
Yes this is a Big tour! The all day (winter) sucker. The tour is broken down into 4 parts (with awards for each part) with 20 flights each. Legs are short (just the average is something like 40 miles) Part of the attraction for me at least is I can slip in a flight without a big time consideration. And, if you make a flight a day, it's less than three months.
One thing is this is a new idea....and we are receptive to new ideas (yours and ours). Great discussion will lead to better tours and more participation. We are looking for the right mix.
As for scenery, I honestly haven't checked all of the destinations but I do know that SAK will be involved and possible FTX Pacific Fjords. It never really occurred to me because I have all the ORBX regions and LC Alaska/Canada....set it on Hybrid and head to the skies. Since you asked the question I will have a better look and get back to you. Of course all the folks at RTMM are interested in great scenery, but I am sure there will be those happy with the dreaded default! lol
I am sure this tour isn't for everyone, and yes there was great consideration over the length, number of legs and destinations. There are some grass fields, there is some asphalt...there are some very short legs and a few long ones. And while the tour is long, it is many easy pieces...like Jeff said, chapters in a book. You may choose to do only Part 1, and that's fine. It is complete into itself, and you will receive an award and ribbon....do more, get more. Many tours put on by VA's are not completed by those members that sign up....it happens, what we hope is that the tour makes sense in real life terms and it is interesting enough to attract pilots.
One thing I am sure you have never heard before is that once we get started should we find a major problem, or the something else, we are flexible enough to make changes to better the concept.
Please come over and sign up, give it a try, post your thoughts, enjoy the ride. The tour becomes active Thursday evening, and sign up are almost immediate. I have attached the SkyVector links for part of Part 1 that will clear up the area question. (attachment limitations)
Let me know your thoughts.
Henry