Boeing flight simulator experience
John G
simulator at EGHH. So I went over to Bournemouth on Friday for my long
awaited run on a Boeing 727-200 flight simulator. As I hoped it's as
close to the real thing as you can get, and I had an hour and a bit
flying it around.
The instructor, a young American guy named Josh asked me what flying
experience I had, and seemed surprised when I told him I flew 777,
747, 737, Learjets etc. He looked at me as if to say ' Then what the
hell are you doing here', I then explained all that flying experience
was via my computer, although I had flown light aircraft a few times.
They had several simulators there - 737, 747, BAC 111 and a Sikorski
helicopter. It would have been nice to fly more than one, but you
can't be too greedy. We climbed up the stairs into the simulator and
into the flight deck. My instructor told me 'You're the Captain so
take the left hand seat', which I did. The instrumentation, I found,
is a lot more complex than a Cessna of course, but most of that is
down to the three engines. Looking through the windscreen I could see
the simulator was set up for a night flight, just the runway lights
visible. After adjusting the seat and strapping myself in and checking
a few things out it was time to get started.
She fired up sweetly, and I soon had the bird running along the 27L at
Heathrow and rotating at about 140 knots as instructed. Climb angle is
the usual 15 degrees and the instructor took care of the flap
retraction, throttle and gear up for me - as second officer would in
real life. Levelled out at 5000 feet and explored the effect of
various trim and autopilot controls. Not so comprehensive as on my
computer aircraft, but it is an older bird. I also found the controls
on the 727 heavy as these older aircraft don't have the same servo
assistance as the new ones, however once you get used to it, it's not
too bad. Trimming involves having these large wheels beside the seat
whizz round when you press the trim controls making a lot of noise -
startling at first.
I brought her back into Heathrow after lining up about 17 miles out,
and using the ILS as a guide only as I stayed with manual control. A
nice landing, even if I say so myself, then after a few minutes
discussion took off again for a circuit in the opposite direction. I
made a better job of holding height and direction this time, but the
weight of the controls and the pressure needed still is surprising.
Finally my time was used up, and I reluctantly had to vacate the
Captain's seat. As we moved out Josh showed me the computer screen
which had a record of my circuits flown. He was very kind and said it
was a pretty good effort, although it looked a bit wobbly to me.
All in all a nice experience, apart from the heavy stick - my main
problem had been working out which way to turn the aircraft while
watching the turn indicator. It seemed counter intuitive as to
direction, but Josh was able to pass on a tip that got that sorted out
from then on. I confessed to him, that I usually flew the lazy way
using autopilot to do most of the work for me, just feeding in the
changes I wanted. He told me that's what he does too, so I didn't feel
too bad about it.
So I just wanted you all to know what a great experience I had, if
somewhat different from flying a computer.
G
"John G" <jpemail...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:7b9ef9d0-a7ad-43ec...@79g2000hsk.googlegroups.com...
Hey John
Thanks for a great story!
I flew the exact same simulator last year. I found the controls very heavy
when flying manually and need to trim out loads on approach. Like you, I
did a couple of circuits, it was night time for me too, but I was at Hong
Kong, so the nearby high terrain made the climb out a little harder.
Almost text book first landing for me but the second was not so good and I
found it very hard using the pedals to keep cantered up after touchdown.
What struck me most was the feeling of how high up you were in the cockpit,
the ground looked a long way down before you even took off!! In the sim for
me I almost feel like I am on the ground, is there a way to change this in
FS9?
Loved every minute of it, highly recommended!
Graham
Isle of Wight
TOCA
"John G" <jpemail...@yahoo.co.uk> skrev i en meddelelse
news:7b9ef9d0-a7ad-43ec...@79g2000hsk.googlegroups.com...
>I mentioned on this group not long ago that I was soon to get to fly a
> simulator at EGHH. So I went over to Bournemouth on Friday for my long
> awaited run on a Boeing 727-200 flight simulator. As I hoped it's as
> close to the real thing as you can get, and I had an hour and a bit
> flying it around.
>
You are one lucky guy :o) What's the price for such a 1hr flight?
> The instructor, a young American guy named Josh asked me what flying
> experience I had, and seemed surprised when I told him I flew 777,
> 747, 737, Learjets etc. He looked at me as if to say ' Then what the
> hell are you doing here', I then explained all that flying experience
> was via my computer, although I had flown light aircraft a few times.
You should have hold him over the fire for a bit longer ;o)
>
> They had several simulators there - 737, 747, BAC 111 and a Sikorski
> helicopter. It would have been nice to fly more than one, but you
> can't be too greedy.
Is there such a thing as too greedy in this sort of situations?
>SNIP<
> All in all a nice experience, apart from the heavy stick - my main
> problem had been working out which way to turn the aircraft while
> watching the turn indicator. It seemed counter intuitive as to
> direction, but Josh was able to pass on a tip that got that sorted out
> from then on. I confessed to him, that I usually flew the lazy way
> using autopilot to do most of the work for me, just feeding in the
> changes I wanted. He told me that's what he does too, so I didn't feel
> too bad about it.
And you shouldn't :o) But for such a once in a lifetime trip, who wants auto
pilot to make you a passenger? :o)
>
> So I just wanted you all to know what a great experience I had, if
> somewhat different from flying a computer.
I should hope it was more than just a little different, hope you enjoyed it
enough to remember every detail for a long time :o)
Tommy C, Denmark
Ken
<jpemail...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
>I mentioned on this group not long ago that I was soon to get to fly a
>simulator at EGHH. So I went over to Bournemouth on Friday for my long
>awaited run on a Boeing 727-200 flight simulator. As I hoped it's as
>close to the real thing as you can get, and I had an hour and a bit
>flying it around.
I got o fly the 767 sim at CYVR. :-)
CK
PJ
It can be changed using the CFG file as below. I believe it's the last
figure, make it bigger for more height ;-)
[Views]
eyepoint= 68.500, -1.756, 8.150
G
"PJ" <peter...@pei.sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:483a1b27$0$4033$9a56...@news.aliant.net...
Brilliant thanks PJ!!
John G
> "John G" <jpemail641-...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
Hi Graham,
Looks like we are near neighbours as I'm in Southampton. Glad to hear
you flew the very same simulator, small world as they say. Seems like
we share the feelings about the heavy controls until trimming out too.
Yes, the viewpoint seemed too high from the cockpit, and I had the
feeling I still had about twenty feet to go to touchdown when the
slight bump told me we'd arrived. Whether that's the correct aspect
from a 727 flightdeck I wouldn't know, but it is certainly different
from the view I am used it in MS flight sim. As is the view you get
when landing in a light aircraft on a normal runway - it seems hugely
wide compared with what you see in FS9.
When you flew from Hong Kong was that Kai Tek or the newer airport? I
always thought that most take offs from the old field would be out to
sea to avoid the mountains. Probably I'm wrong.
Anyhow, nice to make your aquaintance.
John G
John G
> "John G" <jpemail641-...@yahoo.co.uk> skrev i en meddelelsenews:7b9ef9d0-a7ad-43ec...@79g2000hsk.googlegroups.com...
Thanks Tommy, yes it was an experience to remember a very long time. I
have had to retell the story to various members of the family who are
as envious as can be and ask me when I'm going to do it again. I don't
think that's very likely somehow.
John G
Michael Everson
accurate than the aspect you would see on FS9 as the simulators are built
for real flight training etc.
I've watched a few videos of larger jets landing and it surprises me how
high up they are when on the tarmac. I always wondered how they judge their
touchdown points until I found out about their ground proximity radars.
All in all I guess in a 727 you wouldnt expect to be *that* high, but still
a lot higher than most GA aircraft.
That must have been a real buzz to have a go in one of those simulators.
Top stuff!
"John G" <jpemail...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:0d5fb7d5-d958-4e69...@y21g2000hsf.googlegroups.com...
G
Hi John
I have a friend who is senior ATC at EGHI and also a QFI so often buzz over
you area!
I am not 100% sure about the airport because it was so dark but he said we
were at Honk Kong, so as it was an old simulator I assumed it was Kai Tak
and we certainly took off with mountains in front of us because we had to
take a sharp bank to the left to avoid them, so I assume we took off on RWY
31 !!
Graham