Flight Experience - Wanna fly a 737?

[R6_kid]

Yes, this is a shameless plug.

I have hooked a job what could well be planted in my top 5 list (yet to confirm) doing instructing work a for a company known as Flight Experience.

They currently have shops setup in Christchurch and Tauranga and other places around the country and are now in the finishing stages of preparation of the Auckland branch in Botany Town centre.

What is it you ask. Well pretty simply, its a flight simulator. It is a complete model of a 737NG (new generation, -800,-900 series) cockpit with full functioning controls, essentially it is exactly like the real thing but without the crashing and dying. The system runs FS2004 with photorealistic NZ scenery for Wellington, Auckland, Tauranga, Queenstown and Christchurch.

The simulator features realistic flight dynamics that have been upgraded to accurately match that of the real plane and not be 'arcade' like the basic FS2004 aircraft.

It also has built in interactive Air Traffic Control which was developed especially for the simulator.

It's actually that good that the flight simulator has New Zealand CAA approval and is often used by commercial and airline pilots for training purposes. I checked it out today, the cockpit environment is mint, they didnt have any working visuals yet - the projectors were getting mounted as I left, but the realism and detail in the cockpit is second to none, really looks like the real thing!

Check the website at http://www.flightexperience.co.nz/ for more info.

If your in Auckland and keen to come and have a look they are opening on the 24th of October (i think). It's strangely located in the parking lot below the food court at the back of Botany Town Centre.

I'll occasionally get some free time on the sim which I am willing to share if allowed, but will have to get back to you on that.

[Paul in NZ]

I know some of them and they are nice guys and it's a great product. Hope you enjoy your job mate...

[marty]

are you a cpl c-cat?

[jrandom]

Didn't old Pete Maire have something to do with that company at some point?

[Swoop]

Say "Hi" to Steve, your QA guy, from me.

[McJim]

I'd love to learn how to LAND one of those things - coupled with my Glaswegian instincts for incapacitating people quickly and in surprising ways it would make me feel a whole lot more secure on the trips round the world to see family.

[marty]

i'll be up for a type rating.....

[R6_kid]

Say "Hi" to Steve, your QA guy, from me.

only know of Steve Clark, is that who you are referring too? If so send me a PM with ya real name and i'll pass on the message.

Marty, no im not C-Cat but the guy that is going to be in charge is type rated on the 737-800 so im pretty sure he can help you out, would pay to get in touch with them directly through the website.

Just to clarify, i will be 'instructing' customers... i.e, flying the scenic flights, and running them through the procedures etc, and helping them to fly, i however will not be Instructing in the sense of actual type ratings etc.

[marty]

can you do a type rating in it?

[R6_kid]

i know that it is CAA certified so you can acrue hours towards your rating but not sure exactly how much. I'll send some emails away and see what answers i get back.

[Marmoot]

When will the F14 version comes up?

[R6_kid]

A guy i know had a working A-4K one, but he chopped it up and is turning it into and F-111 now i think. But im pretty sure its going to be in Christchurch.

Problem is getting the pics (easyish) and the information on how everything works. The build cost for a 737 cockpit is a tad over US$500k the first one cost more because of research/development. I asked the guy if they had plans to develop other models, in short he said "no".

[RantyDave]

I'll occasionally get some free time on the sim which I am willing to share if allowed, but will have to get back to you on that.
Wicked! What a fabulous place to get pissed in!

Dave

[bugjuice]

fuk, I'm there.. I love flying, and I've always wanted a go in one of these.. could you park it on my drive for a week?

[R6_kid]

lol, i would have one at home if i had the dosh. Only thing is buggy is that its pretty well planted in the premises and i think the boss *might* notice his million dollar simulator missing.

Marty - the details about what components the simulator can contribute to are listed here (http://www.pacific-simulators.co.nz/Simulator), talk to the guys there to get more info.

[chris]

Spent some time in the Tauranga based simulator. Great fun.

[Sniper]

I did the simulator in CHCH, was fucken amazing and that was just the basic one. Fucken expensive to do 2hrs in it, Im certain its around $245 or more, but its alot of fun. Definetly on my to do list again

[terbang]

They are catching on as technology becomes cheaper making them a nice option. I drive 737 (3/400) for a living. They are a rather blunt instrument compared to my previous type (Gulfstream GIV) but still a great aircraft. The 300, with it's stocky little wing, appears to only fly by virtue of it's engines. Makes it rather exciting. The 400 with its bigger engines gets up and goes at domestic weights as well and is much more stable in pitch.
I know the guy in Tauranga wh operates the sim there (Phil Hooker), used to fly with him at Eagle airways years ago. He's a top bloke.

[R6_kid]

I'm really looking forward to my training, im not sure of his last name but the guy that's running the Auckland one is Warren, he also flies for AirWork part-time on the metroliner.

[bugjuice]

so can we (more importantly me) get a go?

[R6_kid]

yep, i know who most of the aviation enthusiasts are so i'll let you know one at a time when i've got the beast to myself and whoever is free/first to reply can join me.

[bugjuice]

you know my number, baby.. :msn-wink:

[SuperDave]

Oooh free rollercoaster ride!

[R6_kid]

just found out the sim has a new 3-way projection system that creates a much more realistic feeling of immersion than the old movie theatre like single forward projection. So if you had a go a while back then it might be worth having another look because from what i've heard its a much better experience now.

[Racey Rider]

Any Air Traffic Controllers on KB?

Having been up the tower today, I'm thinking that may just be the career direction I've been looking to find.

But would be good to get a feel for the job before investing 3 years on training.
Any ATC's I can chat with?

Cheers
Racey.

[Hitcher]

That reminds me. I have a voucher that Mrs H gave me for my birthday...

[R6_kid]

But would be good to get a feel for the job before investing 3 years on training.
Any ATC's I can chat with?

Get in touch with airways (corporation?) new zealand. I'm pretty sure they are the governing body, and if you ask them they are more than likely to want to help out as there arent many people wanting to be in ATC.

My old soccer coach was an ATC at Auckland but i dont have contact details or anything like that so unfortunately cant help out.