B737 Sim at Sywell

[PilotPaul]

Probably not something I would have ever bothered with but thanks to a present I found myself at Sywell aerodrome in Northampton this weekend having the most fun “flying” that I can remember. I was given a gift voucher for a B737 NG simulator at www.virtual-aerospace.com and I absolutely loved it.
The session was 2 hours long with pre and post flight briefings either side of an hour in the sim (although it turned in to a very generous hour in the sim). It was surprisingly easy to fly although the instructor probably had more input than I realised! I was just trying to look after the airspeed, attitude, altitude and heading. While seemingly easy to fly, it was also quite easy to get behind the aircraft. Half the battle for me was getting used to a glass cockpit.
After over an hours flying with two landings my brain was frazzled but I was already thinking about going back. Definitely something to add on to any pilots to do list whatever their experience - and to the fellas that get to play with the real thing every day…what a great job! Brilliant!

[Hotdog]

Paul

Sounds like you had a great time! I remember the first time in the sim, so much going on and you find yourself focussing entirely on the one screen in front of you and nothing else. The tricky thing coming from a small plane to a big jet is getting used to the inertia and the 'slippery' plane, as you soon realise the true extent of not being able to go down and slow down...

If you think the sim was easy to fly- wait until you try the Airbus

[Aviator|Chris]

If you're struggling to lose some excess speed during the descent, open the cockpit gross ventilation system (window) and hold out an inflight meal tray.

The extra drag will surely slow the aircraft down, as inflight meals seem to cause pax to have extra drag and they seem to slow down lol.

[PilotPaul]

Maybe easy was a poor choice of words! A lot of fun though. You must be well settled in to your job now as a First Officer. How you finding it? Everything you hoped it would be? Btw Chris, you're jokes are getting worse! ;-)

[Aviator|Chris]

Agreed, Paul!

Overworked and Underpaid. 8o)

[Hotdog]

Maybe easy was a poor choice of words! A lot of fun though. You must be well settled in to your job now as a First Officer. How you finding it? Everything you hoped it would be? Btw Chris, you're jokes are getting worse! ;-)

Sorry, Ive hidden away over the past few months! I'm really settled in now, confident with the plane too and touchwood no more firm landings (famous last words)...

Its amazing, really enjoying it, although its so frustrated to keep dropping people in hot countries only to come back again without actually going on a holiday myself. It is great though, it feels normal too now and I call it "work" which I never thought I would.

Best thing I've ever done, no regrets despite the debt, thanks once again for all of the support. I'll try and get my face in these forums some more. I find myself on all kinds of shifts recently, 4am starts, 3am finishes and all sorts so on my days off I tend to just sleep!

And Chris, the tray thing doesnt work at altitude, I have a feeling that you may get pulled out with it when you open the window

[Aviator|Chris]

Haha good stuff hotdog! 8o)

Might sound corny but I am happy for you! You have the best office in the world lol. I'm sure after the 5 year period it will go further than being work and you will find its like putting on a jacket!

I'm off flying this evening hopefully. Have a new instructor as my previous one has now moved onto Jet training, he has a large family so guess he is going where the money is. Good news is that my new instructor is cheerful and she is type rated for the C172 that I love so much!