The Boeing 737 Flight Simulator Experience from Sim-Air, Norwich, Norfolk.

Every time I have ever stepped onto an airliner while travelling, not just as a child but as a frequent traveller, there has always been in me a desire to wander into the cockpit and look in amazement at the bewildering sets of controls and instruments take are needed to get that machine up into the skies.....

Every time I am anywhere near an airport, so even while in the middle of nowhere and see an aircraft flying overhead I just have to stop and gaze in awe. So just imagine how I felt when given the opportunity to experience the thrill of being a pilot of a 737 in a simulator.
The first time I saw the inside I was completely knocked out by how realistic it was. From the vast arrays of screens, knobs, switches, dials, lights, and controls to the thrust levers, seats, pedals and even the sounds created the feeling that I was actually in the cockpit of one of these majestic machines. But this first impression paled into insignificance once the experience began.
Philip is a great instructor. His gentle patient overview of all the instruments was clearly explained and every pre-flight move was verbally talked through. For my flight, we were leaving Manchester airport in clear weather for a 30-40 min flight before returning to Manchester.
The preflight program was then put in to the computer, and we had to file a flight plan which would indicate our journey and even which runway and approach we would use upon our return. This may seem unnecessary for a flight simulator, but believe me this all added to the feeling that this was real.
As we headed down the runway for take-off, Phillip was at the controls and we had a smooth climb to our cruising altitude. Believe me when I say that I was genuinely anxious. The experience is so realistic that I was sure we were moving and we were heading upwards. The sensations that I felt were difficult to explain, as I knew we were still on the ground but my visionary senses were telling me otherwise!! But now comes the really exciting bit - my turn at the controls!!
Nervous is not the word! As I took over my hands were trembling and immediately the smooth ride that we had been enjoying until that point suddenly became more erratic. However, Philips reassurance and confidant instructions soon had me being able to keep us flying in a reasonably safe way. Having said that, there is a lot more to that than meets the eye. But the simulator itself is truly amazing. After about 20 mins at the controls I felt that I was getting more confident, and when I passed the controls over to my wife, she immediately was able to make the aircraft do what it should.
After becoming familiar with the instrumentation, and understanding what to look for, the controls then become less daunting, and almost like friends rather than enemies. And on our approach to Manchester, the excitement built again as we began our descent.
The landing was textbook, but I must say that the adrenalin was still pumping a good while after we had pulled up at the stand.
My conclusion: For an experience of a lifetime, this really takes some beating .A great present for anybody. Even for a person who in not in any way an “anorak” like my wife for example, this was something that I still find hard to believe that she really enjoyed. But enjoy it she did, as she has not stopped telling all her friends about it. As for me? Well, what can I say? This wasn’t a simulator-this was real!!! I piloted a 737 and nobody can convince me otherwise!

Graham

If you want an experience that is entertaining, educational and unique this is it! ....

I must admit an opportunity to spend an hour in a flight simulator was not something I would have actively sort out. However, after some encouragement I was persuaded to “have a go”. And I wasn’t disappointed!!
Initially I was totally confused by all the lights, knobs, dials and buttons, but Philip patiently briefly explained what each one did and then talked through the checks and procedures that were necessary before “take off’.
This was exciting in itself ,as when we came to this point, it really felt like we were about to fly. This was quite believable as the monitors are like windows looking out on the airport and runway. The take off was quite amazing and it really felt like we were taking to the air. Later on it was wonderful to actually being able to take the controls and I could almost believe I was piloting a 737. Ten minutes on in the lesson I was quite glad I wasn’t, as I managed to get a little confused with the dials and found myself hurtling towards the ground at top speed, I must admit this was quite exciting in itself!! All the adrenaline, but none of the real danger!! I was quite happy to let Philip take the controls for a bit and get us back on course, half an hour later we landed safely in Manchester airport without further incident!!
An experience I would highly recommend, certainly for someone who has an interest in planes, flights and flying, but also for anyone who likes to try something a little bit different.

Melissa, 41 year old housewife and accounts clerk.