Alteon 737 Simulator Brisbane

[virg737simulator]

Would anyone be interested in sharing the cost of a practice 737 Sim session for an upcoming Virgin Interview?? You can only buy 2 hour blocks, and its quite expensive.Thinking of Sunday 27 June.. PM me please

[PercyWhino]

Why dont you save yourself some $$$$ and have a look at Flight Experience at Q1 building at the Gold Coast. Fixed Base 737 Sim.

[The Bunglerat]

virg737simulator, I would definitely not recommend the Flight Experience sim for something this important. The emphasis of the VB sim exercise is on general handling and instrument scan, and whilst the Flight Experience sim may be a reasonably accurate rendition of the aircraft - at least in terms of cockpit layout - the software is based on Microsoft Flight Sim, and not even close to being an accurate flight model when it comes to the feel and handling of the real aircraft. I'm not having a go at Flight Experience (which I'm sure is good fun for those who are so inclined), nor am I trying to get you to spend more money than you wish to spend or can afford. However, having been through the process myself a few years ago, I am simply suggesting that the Flight Experience option won't give you what you really need for the exercise. But I'm sure you know that anyway.

Just out of interest, would you mind if I ask when you were notified of an interview? The reason I ask is because I have a good friend who has had his application in the system for some time now - and of course has heard nuffin'. He has considerable turbo-prop time & a bit of jet, but not even the fact that I work for VB - and have provided a glowing reference on his behalf - seems to be enough to get him an interview, let alone a job. ...Which, if nothing else, proves that the old "jobs for mates" principle doesn't count for much. Some of you out there might even take heart from that. Who knows. Then again, I'm probably just too low down the food chain for anyone to give a damn what I think. ;)

[Centaurus]

Suggest you check your PM's on the subject of simulator practice.

[saabsforever]

May have changed but a couple of years ago the interview sim check was done in a fixed base sim very similer to the flight experience one, so i think a run around with flight experience would be as good as anything. They try and build the sim like the aircraft but never an aircraft like the sim, same with these fixed base things with no motion and quite sensitive can be hard going. But an hour or so to get the feel of the thing at minimal cost should keep it within or close to IFR limits at least and stop things getting out of control.

[WannaBeBiggles]

Not sure about time or price comparison, but downwind.com.au are running a flight sim experience in conjunction with the Ansett flight sim center, they only have the 737 classic, but may be better than nothing and a whole lot cheaper (I think)?

Ultimate Simulator Event is Back! (http://www.downwind.com.au/index.php/articles/32-community-articles/381-ultimate-simulator-event-is-back)

Might be worth a consideration if it fits in your time frame and the classic will do as opposed to an NG sim.

p.s. I am in no way affiliated with downwind.com.au

[The Bunglerat]

saabsforever, when I did the VB interview sim at least three years ago now, it was in the QF B737-400 sim in Melbourne - in full-flight mode, not fixed base.

I'll say it again (having tried the Flight Experience sim also): Given the context of the exercise, I personally don't think a session in the Flight Experience sim is going to give the candidate what he or she needs to be fully prepared for the actual VB evaluation. It's a 3rd party product, using a mish-mash of software and parts all cobbled together to approximate a 737NG cockpit. Whilst the effort is commendable, it's not even slightly close to the real deal when it comes to the flight handling and aerodynamic model. Yes, all the switches and dials may be in the correct place, but the point of the exercise is not about how well the candidate knows where those switches and dials are located (or their functions), it's about aircraft handling and instrument scan. If improving your scan alone is what you're after, you don't even need to use the Flight Experience product, as any home PC flight sim will provide you with a bunch of dials to stare at. If, however, you want to get a sneak preview of how a real 737 feels to fly (inertia, momentum, thrust lever response, roll rate, etc), a properly certified sim - full flight or fixed base - is still a better proposition. Even a clapped-out old 737 "Classic" (like the Ansett one in Melbourne) is a better option than the aforementioned one.

I should mention I am a fan of MS Flight Sim, and have the PMDG B737-800 add-on at home. It's a great tool in preparing for my six-monthly sim, but let's not pretend for a moment that it feels anything like the real aeroplane. Resources like these are great for keeping your procedural knowledge and general scan up to speed, but not for sharpening any skills when it comes to stick-&-rudder.

[engine out]

I think I must be the only person who has never hired a sim before my airline interview. All I did to prepare was practice on an AGK Mk 6 at work and microsoft flight sim. You really don't need to spend all the money, get your scan up to speed and trust yourself. The airlines don't expect perfection, they expect you to be able to fly and improve through the session. My attitude going into the 747 sim was to enjoy it as it maybe the only time I ever get to fly one.

[GAFA]

DJ have been using the full motion sim for a while now. Having said that most new FO's have only used the microsoft based sims before their interviews. $1500 plus for 2 hours at Alteon (now Boeing again) to improve your scan is not worth it, when you can do the same for less than $200. The sim ride is not about you proving to the checkie you can fly a 737 with no hours on type, it's about your scan and if you are able to improve over time.

[The Bunglerat]

I totally agree with engine out & GAFA. Nevertheless for those who insist on parting with hard-earned money for some sim prep, I stand by my previous comments.

[Metro man]

$1500 for the chance to get some practice in on what you'll be tested on isn't too bad considering what's at stake. You'll be more relaxed and confident as it won't be your first time in the box. Hopefully you'll make a better impression on the check captain than the other candidates and GET THE JOB.

The expenditure will likely be recovered in under a month if you get in and then you have the increased pay for the rest of your career. There aren't that many airlines to fly for or windows of opportunity to join them so don't penny pinch.

If you don't get accepted at least you know you tried your best, and you can wait a while longer for that flat screen TV.

[Centaurus]

Even a clapped-out old 737 "Classic" (like the Ansett one in Melbourne) is a better option than the aforementioned one.
Wotchit!! Some keen eyed legal eagle might jump on you for suggesting such infamy:ok: