He typed in the serial code – which looked suspiciously like "crack22" – and the software sprang to life. The room was suddenly filled with the sound of revving engines and whirring propellers.

As we took a break, I asked Alex, "So, what's the 'link' you mentioned?"

Alex winked. "Oh, just a little something my friend sent me. A... recommendation, let's say."

As we went back to flying, I couldn't help but wonder what other secrets lay hidden in the world of RC flight sims – and what other adventures awaited us in the virtual skies.