Posted: Sun Nov 05, 2006 4:21 pmFor my birthday treat, I got to have a go in the Flight Experiences new B737 Simulator in Botany, Auckland.
I arrived at 2pm, and took me seat in the captains seat, and had to read the preflight checklist to the co-pilot (the instructor).
We were positioned at the domestic terminal at NZAA, and soon I was allowed to push back and taxi to runway 05R.
The software they were running was FS2004 with REAL NZ Auckland, and some pretty comprehensive AI traffic package. ATC was not simulated, so I just taxied into position, revved up the engines and rotated.
We climbed up to 3000 feet, and set various autopilot systems on (alt, course, auto throtte), then I got to fly over my house and the city CBD (the buildings were missing there textures for some reason), then we circled back over the gulf and island, and finally the co-pilot set us up for a ILS touch and go at NZWP.
We landed smoothly, and I noticed the default FS9 afcad was being used, with the taxi-signs appearing in the middle of the runway (although I kept this to myself
). I was instructed to rotate again, and we climbed back up to 3000 feet, and headed out west over Piha to enter the pattern for NZAA.
After a few minutes, we turned south towards the Manukau harbor entrance, and started our final approach for 05R. The instructor let me fly it manually, using the PAPI to follow my glideslope rather than the glass cockpit panel.
Just as I was on short finals, I noticed a B1900d directly in front of me (no red text above it to alert from far off, although I had picked it up on the TCAS), and I had to adjust my altitude rapidly, before making a pretty smooth landing, that I was congratulated on B)
Just as the reverse thrust was kicking in, I noticed another AI 1900d rolling along the runway, and we smashed straight into it, and out the other side (without any damage effects), then turned off the runway and taxied back to the gate.
I was given a DVD of my flight (my attatched photos are from my dad who sat in the back along with my brother), then had a chat with the simulator pilot who actually turned out to also be the Lifeflight Metroliner pilot!
Unfortunately, I didn't have time to explain a few things I had noticed inside the cockpit, so I will share them here instead:
1) the fs2004 graphics are much better than the ANZ multi-million dollar sim. I guessed all that money was put towards the full motion equipment which the Flight Experience one does not have. However, it still feels like you are moving as with the wrap around 180 degree screen, you see the world passing by just out the corner of your eye, and this is very effective.
2) The sim could be set up a little better. For instance, they had unlimited visibilty and the clear weather theme set, which could easily be tweaked to add a little realism. Also, they had the stock fs2004 mesh, topo and waterclass. If they had got the RBE package, it would look heaps better!
I was also told that they had 6 computers running the thing, one for each of the FMC's and a few for the different gauges and autopilot. They must have some pretty powerful PC with FS9 on it, as I noticed no FPS lag or blurry textures, even at low level traveling at 250kias!
I hope you enjoyed my little report- and if you live in Auckland, I highly recommend you give it a go
www.flightexperience.co.nz
(Below are seven photos from inside the cockpit, 1.14mb)
1. The cockpit
2. Fullpower down 05R
3. Turning towards Rangitoto
4. Finals for NZWP
5. Finals for NZAA (notice traffic!)
6. Short finals
7. Reverse thrust (notice more traffic!!)
I arrived at 2pm, and took me seat in the captains seat, and had to read the preflight checklist to the co-pilot (the instructor).
We were positioned at the domestic terminal at NZAA, and soon I was allowed to push back and taxi to runway 05R.
The software they were running was FS2004 with REAL NZ Auckland, and some pretty comprehensive AI traffic package. ATC was not simulated, so I just taxied into position, revved up the engines and rotated.
We climbed up to 3000 feet, and set various autopilot systems on (alt, course, auto throtte), then I got to fly over my house and the city CBD (the buildings were missing there textures for some reason), then we circled back over the gulf and island, and finally the co-pilot set us up for a ILS touch and go at NZWP.
We landed smoothly, and I noticed the default FS9 afcad was being used, with the taxi-signs appearing in the middle of the runway (although I kept this to myself
). I was instructed to rotate again, and we climbed back up to 3000 feet, and headed out west over Piha to enter the pattern for NZAA.After a few minutes, we turned south towards the Manukau harbor entrance, and started our final approach for 05R. The instructor let me fly it manually, using the PAPI to follow my glideslope rather than the glass cockpit panel.
Just as I was on short finals, I noticed a B1900d directly in front of me (no red text above it to alert from far off, although I had picked it up on the TCAS), and I had to adjust my altitude rapidly, before making a pretty smooth landing, that I was congratulated on B)
Just as the reverse thrust was kicking in, I noticed another AI 1900d rolling along the runway, and we smashed straight into it, and out the other side (without any damage effects), then turned off the runway and taxied back to the gate.
I was given a DVD of my flight (my attatched photos are from my dad who sat in the back along with my brother), then had a chat with the simulator pilot who actually turned out to also be the Lifeflight Metroliner pilot!
Unfortunately, I didn't have time to explain a few things I had noticed inside the cockpit, so I will share them here instead:
1) the fs2004 graphics are much better than the ANZ multi-million dollar sim. I guessed all that money was put towards the full motion equipment which the Flight Experience one does not have. However, it still feels like you are moving as with the wrap around 180 degree screen, you see the world passing by just out the corner of your eye, and this is very effective.
2) The sim could be set up a little better. For instance, they had unlimited visibilty and the clear weather theme set, which could easily be tweaked to add a little realism. Also, they had the stock fs2004 mesh, topo and waterclass. If they had got the RBE package, it would look heaps better!
I was also told that they had 6 computers running the thing, one for each of the FMC's and a few for the different gauges and autopilot. They must have some pretty powerful PC with FS9 on it, as I noticed no FPS lag or blurry textures, even at low level traveling at 250kias!
I hope you enjoyed my little report- and if you live in Auckland, I highly recommend you give it a go
www.flightexperience.co.nz(Below are seven photos from inside the cockpit, 1.14mb)
1. The cockpit
2. Fullpower down 05R
3. Turning towards Rangitoto
4. Finals for NZWP
5. Finals for NZAA (notice traffic!)
6. Short finals
7. Reverse thrust (notice more traffic!!)
You know you could have asked for some nasty weather, I'm sure they would have turned it on for you. And it was great to hear your comparison with the Air NZ sim, especially as this sim is no doubt a great deal cheaper per hour than the Air NZ one.
