A Flight Experience

The ‘Flight Experience’ operation is centred upon a synthetic trainer modelled on the Boeing 737-800. From the outset it should be stated that this is a ‘fixed base’, bolted to the ground synthetic trainer that very accurately resembles the flight deck of the 737. It is not a full motion ‘flight simulator’ sitting atop hydraulic rams that is normally associated with airline training; nor should it be. Such devices are specific to one aircraft type, cost millions of dollars to purchase and have very high hourly operating costs. These are three elements that virtually eliminate greater public access and the variety of services available at ‘Flight Experience’.

The 737NG synthetic trainer at ‘Flight Experience’ is the product of the parent company, ‘Pacific Simulators 2010’. Hailing from across the Tasman, the Christchurch-based company specialises in generic twin jet trainers that can be utilised for both business and pleasure. And while the trainer may be fixed-base in nature, it is a mistake to underestimate the realism on offer by this virtual flight deck.

At its heart is a full scale Boeing 737NG cockpit, complete with dual yokes, a centre pedestal, overhead panel, EFIS primary flight displays (PFD), navigation displays (ND) and a mode control panel (MCP). Dual Smith-style flight management computers (FMC) allow the crew to input data in the same manner as flight crews which in turn can feed information to a coupled autopilot. Aside from the technical realism, a graphic 180 degree curved screen commands the attention and can feature 24,000 airports worldwide with a vast array of fluctuating weather conditions set to a backdrop of any time of day or night.

At the rear of the trainer are two further seats for an observer and the operator of a fully interactive instructor’s panel. Here the approved synthetic trainer operator (ASTO) can relocate the crew to anywhere in the world at the touch of a button, or configure them for a seemingly limitless number of emergency scenarios. With such resources available for training, it is little wonder that ‘Flight Experience’ has grown beyond its initial purpose as an entertainment device and entered the world of flight training.

A Tool of Trade.

The origins of ‘Flight Experience’ lie in entertaining the general public and it is an aspect of their operation that continues to flourish. While the ability to fly the Kai Tak chequerboard approach in Hong Kong or land a 737 by night are attractive options, it is really the diversity and detail of the experiences on offer that make the entertainment so enthralling to the public. On offer is a range of flights, from circuits to real time sectors at a range of destinations. Critically, the customer is well briefed before strapping into the pilot’s seat and experiences what is involved beyond the actually manipulation of the aircraft. Without being overloaded, they are given an insight into the procedural nature of flight deck operations. This elevates the entertainment value to a very worthwhile level beyond being merely a ‘joy flight’ as people gain a greater insight and understanding.

There is no doubt that ‘Flight Experience’ offers a wonderful and affordable insight into the world of airline operations for the curious member of the general public, but the reality is that it is also a very worthwhile aviation tool of trade. It is this perspective that the organisation has recently continued to develop, culminating in an approval from CASA as an FSD-2 Category B Synthetic Trainer. Such an approval is not an easy task as it calls for not only the trainer to be of standard, but it must be ably supported by trained ASTO’s, an approved syllabus, operations manual and a standard of ongoing maintenance.

With all of these boxes ticked, the generic 737 trainer can now provide loggable time for instrument-rated pilots. Furthermore, operators holding an AOC can apply for an ‘Instrument’ with CASA to use the device for their own operations and training. This can be a particularly attractive and cost-effective option for corporate jet operators to rehearse procedures and facilitate training in areas such as crew resource management (CRM). Interestingly, prior to the last Soccer World Cup one corporate operator utilised ‘Flight Experience’ to ‘fly’ the various approach procedures at a range of unfamiliar South African airports.

The range of applications for the trainer is extensive. Aside from its entertainment and corporate events purpose, it can be used for preparing airline candidates for their interview process, specific airport familiarisation, multi-crew training, CRM development and even ‘Fear of Flying’ clinics. In fact, CASA have even added ‘Flight Experience’ to their own Multi-User List (MUL) so that they can use the facility for their own tasks. A broad spectrum of uses not only makes sound business sense, but demonstrates the versatility of the training device.

Taking Flight.

Flight simulators have traditionally inhabited industrial estates on the fringes of airport districts, concealed in large, relatively faceless buildings. While such an existence was satisfactory in the world of airline flight training, it was not a location suited to commercial operations with the general public in mind. As such, to find ‘Flight Experience’ located in the heart of Sydney’s tourist district at Darling Harbour is a pleasant break from tradition. There are a number of these centres located around Australian capital centres, but the organisation also has a presence in New Zealand, Singapore and Hong Kong, with Kuwait set to launch this year.

I was quite literally only hours from stepping out of a real 737-800 when I walked into the ‘Flight Experience’ trainer. I was immediately orientated as the flight deck layout is virtually identical. My Captain for the day was Julian D’Arcy, the Chief Pilot of the Sydney centre and a key player in the organisation receiving its CASA approval as a Cat B synthetic trainer. Julian’s knowledge of real world 737 procedures was impressive and added significantly to enhancing the realism of the flight.

Having run through pre-flight sequences, we taxied out to depart Sydney off runway 16R. In the absence of a tiller, ground handling was solely achieved by steering via the pedals. While this felt a little more sensitive than the real aircraft, the ‘feel’ of the thrust levers and yoke combined with the impressive visuals outside gave a convincing sense of realism. It is this sense of realism from the visuals that contributes greatly to the sense of motion in a fixed base trainer.

Lined up, the TOGA button was pushed to bring the autothrottles to life and start the take-off roll. The thrust levers ‘hunted’ a little for the power setting and was a little more reminiscent of a ‘Classic’ 737 than the NG. Once airborne, the thrust levers settled down and the departure soon had us climbing to the east of Sydney where we undertook a series of upper airwork exercises. Throughout the sequences, the behaviour of the trainer was in line with the real aircraft and my instrument and flight deck scans slotted right into the groove amongst the familiar environment. Power settings and pitch attitudes were all very comparable and it wasn’t long before I felt quite at home. The actual ‘feel’ of the trainer was a little lighter than the aeroplane, but Julian advises me that this very hard-working machine is due for its regular service and the ‘hydraulic feel’ is one of the items on the list for attention. Aside from that factor, the responses were right in keeping with what I would expect to see in a 737.

The identical instrument representations made flying the ILS into Sydney very simple and the process was ably supported by the standard automated ‘call-outs’ that are found on flight decks. By virtue of the instructor’s panel we were soon aloft again and flying everything from steep turns to asymmetric flight before returning to land on Runway 07 using Flap 40. The whole process was watched by a swelling crowd of customers outside on a monitor which relayed a video feed from the flight deck; a great facility for groups attending a corporate event.

All too soon I had to exit the trainer and allow the paying customers to try their hand at the 737. The excitement was palpable and I am sure that this is largely due to the realistic environment created by the staff at ‘Flight Experience’. From my perspective, what makes this a particularly entertaining experience for the general public is the insight provided by the attention to detail to not only the hardware and flight sequences, but the procedures and processes involved in airline operations.

A Flight Experience.

Since the tragic events of 9/11, the world beyond the flight-deck door has become a virtual mystery to the majority. ‘Flight Experience’ offers a means to open the door once again and dispel some of the myths along the way. And yet, this 737NG synthetic trainer offers much more than pure entertainment. It is a genuine training device with the potential to enhance flight safety at a fraction of the cost when compared to utilising real aircraft or full flight simulators for tasks where such a level of sophistication is not needed.

From a high-tech entertainment device, ‘Flight Experience’ has grown to provide an array of genuine training services to the aviation industry. The graphic visual displays and glass cockpit is a far cry from the heaving bellows of the original Link Trainers, but so too are the computers that manage our world today. This technology undoubtedly plays a major role in achieving a high degree of realism, but it is the attention to detail by the instructors and the insight into the real world operations that elevates this from a joy-flight to a true ‘Flight Experience’.