While the Flight Experience™ simulator closely resembles a Boeing 737 aircraft it is not, and should not be referred to as one.The Boeing Aircraft Company of Seattle owns the trade marks "Boeing" and "737". This simulator is not endorsed by Boeing.
Photo identification acceptable to Flight Experience™ is required before access or training may commence in any of the Flight Experience™ simulators. You may be required to answer personal questions relating to security before access is permitted.
Flight Experience Store Updates
The latest news out of the Flight Experience stores, check back often for updates!
- 24/6/08 Des from 'Coxy's Big Break' gets airborne in Melbourne and attempts a landing into the infamous Kai Tak. View the article HERE or watch the video of his flight below
- 17/6/08 Melbourne rock band 'The Getaway Plan' after flying the jet simulator at Flight Experience Melbourne
- 18/6/08 Congratulations to Flight Experience Northlands in Christchurch for winning a Gold award in the 2008 New Zealand Sign and Design Awards
- 17/5/08 'Let's land this baby' The Age features Flight Experience Australia Click Here to read the article
- 29/2/08 'Oops, my jet crashed' Greg Thom from the Herald Sun captains the Melbourne Simulator. Click Here to read the article
FLIGHT EXPERIENCE FRANCHISE OPENS ON GOLD COAST
Change on the Flightdeck at Pacific Simulators
Telephone +64 3 982 8866 or +64 21 591 591
FLIGHT EXPERIENCE ARRIVES IN SINGAPORE
FLIGHT EXPERIENCE LANDS AT MELBOURNE'S QV
FLIGHT EXPERIENCE, the successful New Zealand-based jet simulator company, opened its first Victorian operation in Melbourne’s QV on February 11, 2008.
Ever since man could gaze at the sky, he dreamed of flight. For the average person, this dream comes true only as a passenger on a commercial airliner – NOT ANYMORE!
With FLIGHT EXPERIENCE at QV - your dream can become reality.
FLIGHT EXPERIENCE gives, for the first time, public access to a full-size commercial jet simulator, which has CAA certification and is used by airlines and pilots for actual training.
Based on the world's most popular and successful aircraft - the Boeing 737-800 - customers experience flight with a fully-qualified instructor who guides them through all aspects of their experience and offers as much, or as little guidance as required.
FLIGHT EXPERIENCE allows you to experience exactly what a professional airline captain does in his or her job every day. It doesn't get more realistic than this! Being in the cockpit is just like being in a real commercial aircraft cockpit. But on your FLIGHT EXPERIENCE, you are in control.
FLIGHT EXPERIENCE’S fully-enclosed cockpit and fixed-base simulator feature 180-degrees graphics that provide a very real sense of motion. With photo-realistic enhancements of some Australian and New Zealand airports, and a menu containing thousands of other airports around the world, it puts the world at your fingertips - all without a passport.
If you’re a flight enthusiasts seeking a unique thrill and for the gift-buyer looking for that special present, look no further.
Prices start from $175 for a 30-minute Scenic Flight and go up to $375 for a 90-minute Ultimate Experience. Gift Vouchers are on sale now and are valid for 12 months.
FLIGHT EXPERIENCE is also available for private functions. Book online www.flightexperience.com.au or call 1800 737 800. Further details of the business and flight packages can be viewed at www.flightexperience.com.au
FLIGHT EXPERIENCE Melbourne is located at Shop 9, QV Square, QV Cnr Swanston & Lonsdale Streets Melbourne (www.qv.com.au).
Affordable Training - Flying (Magazine)
Flying (Magazine)
Hamish Allen
November/December 2007
There’s no contesting that the flight simulator has established itself as a major component in modern aviation. GFPT student pilot, Hamish Allen, enters the world of shiny wings and epaulettes with a visit to “Flight Experience” at Sydney’s Darling Harbour.
There’s no contesting that the flight simulator has established itself as a major component in modern aviation. GFPT student pilot, Hamish Allen, enters the world of shiny wings and epaulettes with a visit to “Flight Experience” at Sydney’s Darling Harbour.
Starting possibly with an off-the-shelf PC-based device that may well sow the seed that blossoms into a rewarding aviation career, the simulator will make a regular appearance, popping up throughout the PPL phase of training, where some amongst us will take the opportunity to barrel roll the company 310. As your training progresses, the simulator is used in a more serious context to hone IFR skills and practise failure drills. Let us not overlook its role in the
all-important airline simulator check ride then hopefully, lots of renewals.
There is also a large community of simulator-based enthusiasts who plow through the night in and around virtual worlds, flying any number of airframes on very important missions. These virtual pilots replicate all weather, highly demanding instrument approaches to the most inhospitable airfields in the largest
and most complex airliners both past and present – all from the comfort of their home, perhaps even with a glass of matured red by their side.
Clearly, the simulator has earned its stripes as both a valid and cost effective device capable of returning real training scenarios that can be conducted without risk and at a fraction of the cost of operating actual aircraft.
The new kid on the block is a company called Flight Experience. The concept is in some respects elegant in its simplicity. The user gets to take the controls of possibly the most realistic replica of a Boeing 737-800 cockpit around – for a fraction of the price charged to access multi million dollar factory simulators. The company originates from New Zealand where they already operate numerous simulators at different locations around the country. The cockpits are in fact so realistic that Flight Experience New Zealand has been granted a Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand synthetic training device approval.
The first franchise of Flight Experience in Australia has been snapped up by Harvey Cassie, operating from Sydney’s tourist mecca Darling Harbour, and CASA has been approached with regard to certification. The prospect of gaining such an approval from CASA is not a pivotal part of the business plan
but shows they are taking this equipment very seriously.
Mix of customers
So who is lining up to experience flying a jet from the pilot’s point of view? Harvey explained: “A large percentage of our forward bookings are in the form of gift flights from wives or girlfriends to their partners. We also get people who have had a lifelong love of aviation and, up until now, would have never
had the opportunity to be at the controls of a passenger jet.”
There is also a constant stream of bookings from corporate clients looking for an affordable and truly unique way of entertaining clients or just rewarding staff as part of incentive programs.
Australian Flying was invited to fly a fairly typical flight – in this case a quick hop down to Canberra from Sydney. The flight started with my strapping in next to duty instructor Benjamin Lai. The usual ground checks were performed, radio checks and clearances sorted.
In Command
The whole flight is programmed into the flight management computer. I was then given a brief but comprehendible tutorial of the various controls and displays. At push-back you get the first glimpse of how realistic the outside display of the environment is. With the engines started, I taxied to the active
runway. We received the relevant clearance from traffic control, I lined up, advanced the throttles until the auto thrust took over then concentrated on holding the centerline while Benjamin called the speeds and predetermined reference points.
I opted to hand fly the departure and establish us onto course before engaging the auto pilot. During the first climbing turn, I was more than a little surprised how realistic the sensation of motion was. In fact, it was so convincing that it was a little unnerving. I knew I was sitting in what was essentially a very expensive and, I might add, very stationary room down by the water in Darling Harbour, but my brain was telling me I was performing a climbing turn up and to the right. I was experiencing very real spatial disorientation. Thankfully we quickly entered clouds (there’s a sentence
I thought I would never say) and it was time to get my eyes inside the cockpit and give my GFPT spec. scan a little workout. We hit top of climb and immediately started our descent into Canberra – it was time for another command decision. Auto pilot off, I would hand fly the approach, intercept the localizer and set up for a nice stable descent and instrument landing onto runway 35. It sounded good when I informed my First Officer of my intentions. The ensuing performance wasn’t quite so cool and was possibly the first time steep turns had been used in such a manner in my attempt, sorry – my attempts, to capture and conform to the flight path described on one of my primary flight screens. Benjamin started calling the desired speeds as I deployed the speed brakes and manipulated the throttles.
We came out of the clouds at a little under five thousand feet and were visual and nicely lined up with Canberra’s runway.
A storm cell was visible just out to the right. With our prelanding checks out of the way, we were cleared for a straight-in approach and continued down onto the runway catching a few gusts of stiff wind just above the flare. (Who said students these days cannot use their feet?) I think the best way to describe
my landing is to use some of the current and very fashionable jargon of the day and call it a “Sub-Prime Landing”.
Report card
My opinion? I’d had a no risk flight in a modern complex aircraft that was both rewarding and enjoyable. All the manoeuvres required of me were within my capabilities and I was never made to feel out of my depth. I won’t say I was not challenged but, being a pilot at GFPT level, I feel that is totally appropriate.
How realistic Flight Experience is to the commercial operation of a 737-800 I cannot gauge, but it must be reasonably close and, to that end, Harvey Cassie is daily receiving booking requests for block time from working commercial pilots wanting to brush up their skills prior to taking a simulator check ride.
Commercial application
In preparation for this article I spoke with three pilots, who had flown a few hours with Flight Experience prior to undergoing
a simulator evaluation as part of the selection process for employment with the major airlines.
Mark and Tim are current Rex pilots flying SAAB 340s looking to step up to jets as part of current Virgin Blue recruitment. Jock has been out of commercial aviation for a while and has used Harvey’s simulator as part of his programme to bring his skills up to speed prior to his simulator ride with Qantas Link. Interestingly, his simulator check was conducted in the Qantas 767 simulator which had been reconfigured to fly like a light twin.
All three pilots’ views were very similar; each one qualified their experience with the statement that although the Flight Experience 737 was not a full motion simulator, this was not seen as a major drawback, particularly in light of the cost saving. (Hiring a full motion simulator can run at around $1000-$2000 per hour).
All three agreed that spending a couple of hours in Harvey’s 737 simulator was a very important part of their preparation for their company check ride. Mark noted that without the motion component, you are forced to rely absolutely on your scan as you don’t get any physical clues to alert you to changes in velocity or heading. The only criticism leveled at the whole operation was the lack of a senior instructor being available for some of the more complex and subtle training exercises that advanced commercial pilots would like to practise. To Harvey’s credit, this is being looked at, and by the time this goes to print may have been resolved.
With major airlines currently recruiting and relying heavily on a simulator component in the evaluation of candidates, it is no wonder that many applicants are opting to spend a few hours practising and honing manoeuvres in the Flight Experience 737.
Value?
The big question is whether it is worth it. One could argue that this has already been decided by the long queue of punters ready to pay and play. These
would-be big jet captains are coming from roughly two areas:
People who have no aeronautical experience and are taking up this previously unobtainable opportunity to experience life at the pointy end of a 737. They often commute into Sydney’s tourist precinct, working up a whole mega weekend of thrills.
You could do a “Three B day” – bridge climb, jet boat and a Boeing flight. The second group is made up of aviation enthusiasts and pilots of varying standards and are here for different reasons. There are career pilots who use this simulator as a calculated element in their training and preparation for that ultimate job with the Majors. There are also people more like myself, who are curious and for the first time we are able to put up some cash and see just how hard these things are to fly.
Flight Experience packages (at the time
of printing) range from as little as $149
Flight Experience Goes Global
Up to 35 franchised outlets will open around the world in a global roll-out..
..is the expectation of Mike Pero, Chief Executive of Flight Experience Limited…….. “This will take place over the next 18 months and will not be limited to just the South Pacific, explains Pero.
"We are finalizing the appointment of several franchise operators in Australia, Europe and Asia at this very time. The company operates in five locations in New Zealand yet this is the smallest market in the world" Pero explains. "With only 4 million people in New Zealand we’ve proven that a Flight Experience™ operation can succeed in some cities with only 100,000 population."
Auckland in it’s first three months, with a population of a million needs a second simulator – this will happen in the first quarter of 2007.
"Probably by the end of the year we’ll have a third one there. Return on investment is generally upward of 20-35% pa and this is very good for something that is a pleasure to operate. "
Pacific Simulators and Flight Experience Introduce Private Equity
Pacific Simulators produce a fixed based flight simulator, called the PS3 which is modeled upon the Boeing 737 800 – the same aircraft type used by Pacific Blue, Qantas and dozens of airlines around the world.
Flight Experience, a subsidiary of Pacific Simulators operates a franchise network of experiential tourism sites, located in major shopping malls and tourist locations where customers can take the controls of a jet aircraft. With the security requirement to secure cockpit doors in commercial aircraft, Flight Experience enables the public to encounter what happens during a flight.
The recent introduction of an operating lease model has significantly lowered the cost barrier to franchise ownership and is expected to see a significant increase in demand for franchisees globally.
Chief Executive and Director Mike Pero, a former commercial pilot himself, says it is an exciting time for the company. He sees a rapid expansion of our franchise network from the current 8 locations across Australasia.
“The Company is on the brink of taking off globally,” says Pero. “The company literally started in the garage of a suburban Christchurch home and just keeps going from strength to strength. The injection of expansion capital, and the significant experience that the Ocean Partners team bring, will enable us to expand our international reach, further develop the simulator product and refine our manufacturing processes.”
With increasing air travel, it is forecast that approximately 17,000 new pilots will be required annually between 2006 and 2025 to crew the new aircraft on current delivery schedules. The Company is well advanced in the development of a new model simulator which will have increased fidelity for flight training applications.
Ocean Partners’ Tim Howe says the acquisition of 50% of Pacific Simulators fits with the company’s investment strategy: “We are looking at businesses that require investment capital to grow or for management buy-outs where owners are looking to transition their business.”
“We see huge potential in Pacific Simulators. The profile of the company fits well with our objectives. Our company will provide infrastructure and capital support enabling the company to push hard into the international market. Ocean Partners also bring a lot of corporate and aviation sector experience to the table. They have a very unique product with large global market potential and plenty of scope for growth. We believe they will be a strong candidate for a possible listing in the not too distant future.”
Mike Pero says the sky is the limit for Pacific Simulators: “The entry of Ocean Partners into the business moves everything up a gear. It is an exciting opportunity in a growing, dynamic industry.”
Sim Pilot Magazine reviews Flight Experience
Sim Pilot Magazine, a new innovative online magazine for aviation and simulation enthusiasts, visited Christchurch to review the Flight Experience, read on....
Do we at Sim Pilot Magazine believe that Flight Experience is worth it?
The question really is: how badly do you want to experience a real jet cockpit?
We would say that nothing much comes closer to the real thing, except the real thing.
If you love flying jets, and want to experience flying one for yourself, we can only recommend Flight Experience. For most people this is a one in a lifetime opportunity.
The only downside is that it's over so fast!
Read the Flight Experience Review
Simulator Takes Flight
Flight Experience has allowed the dream of flying a jet airliner to come true – and has become a world leader in its type of Boeing 737-styled full flight simulators along the way.
Through the creation of its flight simulators and its franchise system it has gone from $300,000 in sales to $3 million in the last year alone and is looking to expand further.
The Franchise system, developed by investor Mike Pero, can be adapted to any country in the world and has already been snapped up by seven New Zealand companies and two Australian companies.
Flight Experience expects to deliver at least one system a month for the next year into Australia and the first of seven simulators was confirmed for Germany earlier this year.
While its initial thrust has been towards entertainment – with simulators set up in areas of high foot traffic – the long term goal is to continue research and development into airline industry training.
A visit three weeks ago from The Boeing Company of Seattle opened a number of opportunities.
“Their pledged supply of Boeing Proprietary Data has been encouraging” Pero says.
The founders describe themselves as three blokes tinkering in a shed who had visions of setting up the business four years ago.
Today, 20 full-time staff are employed by Flight Experience and its manufacturing company, Pacific Simulators International.
“While the company is unique in its area of airline simulator entertainment, we’re very aware of competition that will emerge over time globally so we intend to stay ahead by using our Kiwi initiative” Pero says.
Announcing the arrival of Flight Experience in Australia!
Announcing the arrival of Flight Experience™ in Australia!
The first state of the art jet simulator is about to open at Darling Harbour, Sydney. For the first time the general public will have access to a full size commercial jet simulator that is used for procedures & commercial pilot training.
A qualified instructor will guide customers through all aspects of their flight and they will actually get to fly – hands on - from taxi & take -off to an approach & landing.
The simulator is conveniently located at Level 3 Harbourside Centre, Darling Harbour.
Flight Experience™ vouchers make the perfect gift for birthdays, anniversaries, and special occasions or as a unique idea for staff incentives, client rewards or entertaining.
We look forward to flying you soon.
First Flight Experience in Australia to open in Sydney
Flight Experience™ the successful New Zealand based simulator business will open its first Australian operation in Darling Harbour
“I think many people have wondered what it must be like to pilot a commercial airliner. This allows you to get ‘hands on’ experience from the Captain’s seat - it’s as realistic as you can get” said Harvey Cassie, General Manager Flight Experience™ Harbourside.
Vouchers are available for purchase online at www.flightexperience.com.au or by phone on 1800 737 800
The simulator is located at Level 3 Harbourside Centre, Darling Harbour.
Flight Experience at Australian International Airshow
Flight Experience Limited in conjunction with Carlo Santoro, the new Flight Experience™ Melbourne franchise owner, have joined forces to display at the Australian International Aerospace & Defence Exposition in Melbourne from the 20th - 25th March 2007.
Carlo and his team will be there to discuss the Melbourne operation and they will be handing out brochures and discount vouchers.
Flight Experience™ Head Office will be represented too should you have an interest in owning your own Flight Experience™ Franchise.
Flight Experience™ will be situated in Hall C, 3J1.
For more information about the exposition visit www.airshow.net.au
Students at ITC get to fly!
Imagine learning to fly a Jet Airliner Simulator! Flight Experience and The International Travel College are offering this opportunity to all International Travel College students, a unique opportunity at Auckland’s newest flight simulator.
This flight simulator has New Zealand CAA approval and is often used by commercial and airline pilots for training purposes, but rest assured no previous flying experience is required.
“This is a great news for our students, they will get to learn so much more about the airline industry,” said Claire Huxley, ITC Marketing Manager. “We are thrilled to be working with Mike Pero and his team at Flight Experience, this will give our students a real advantage when they want to work for an airline”.
“Our goal is to increase the general knowledge of those students wishing to work towards a career in the airline industry,” said Mike Pero, Flight Experience Director. The Course content will be aimed towards awareness and understanding of the more technical aspects of an airliner and things not currently required to be known. The course will give candidates a better and wider understanding of air travel. This in turn should be reassuring for passengers.
Students will not only have a great classroom session with trained pilots, but they will also get a chance to fly in the simulator. They will be strapped into the captains seat and after the pre flight checks they'll pushback from the terminal and taxi to our takeoff position. " Cleared for takeoff" - we're rolling......"V1, rotate" and they will be airborne! They will fly the aircraft and take in the scenery, but they won’t be able to relax too much as they will be in command for the landing. Under the expert guidance of one of their instructors they will circuit the aircraft and bring it in for that perfect landing. It'll be an experience that will be with them forever.
So get your travel career off to a flying start with this fantastic experience! Call ITC now on 0800 868747.
Wanna be a jet captain? - Mike Pero shows how
Flight simulators for the public to try out its 737 flying skills
Former airline pilot Mike Pero is going global with a home-grown aviation leisure and entertainment product aimed at would-be jet captains.
Download the full story (162kb PDF)
Orders for flight-simulator grow
A Christchurch flight-simulator maker has confirmed multiple orders for its Boeing 737-based product in the last 10 days.
The orders have come as Pacific Simulators seeks regulatory approvals to allow further overseas sales.
Pacific Simulators was looking forward to key regulatory certification for the United Kingdom and Europe over the next few months, managing director Mike Pero said.
"We're aiming for this calendar year for $20 million of exports ... in simple terms that's between 20 and 25 simulators," he said.
The firm that started in a Lincoln garage produces replica cockpits of the Boeing 737 800, the so-called next generation of Boeing large jets that started rolling off the production line in 1967.
"What we've aimed at is the world market going forward, and the 737 800 is Pacific Blue, Virgin Blue, Qantas in Austra-lia run them – they're the latest and the greatest," he said.
Pacific Simulators would subsequently apply to the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for US certification, and hoped that this would be a relatively easy process after the UK-Europe regulatory work.
"What we're aiming at now is Joint Aviation Regulations approval which is for Europe and England – and that's coming together over the next few months," he said.
"By June we're expecting one (simulator) to be certified in the UK."
After selling five of the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority certified simulators in New Zealand the company had confirmed sales in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, plus Germany.
"This week, we received confirmation from Flair Aviation of Germany for the first of seven simulators," he said.
The simulators can be used for either pilot training or for entertainment, with one based in Northlands Mall in Christchurch. He had also talked to billionaire entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson since early 2006 on the simulators' seemingly logical fit with Virgin Entertainment.
They were acceptable for use by pilots but, without the componentry for motion, Pacific's fixed-base simulator was much cheaper than some rival models.
"Typically a simulator for an airline or training college will cost in the vicinity of $20m. However, we have been able to produce our highly detailed fixed-base simulator for under $1m using Kiwi ingenuity," Pero said. Airlines could save many thousands on training each pilot given that they were cheaper to run than the motion simulators that could then be used for finishing training.
Pero said on the back of his JetEx company's recently announced freight agreement with Branson's low-cost carrier Pacific Blue, he was in talks with other airlines wanting to work with him on freight options.
He could not name those companies yet, Pero said.
Oz gets Flight Experience
Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are all part of the roll out of Flight Experience™ branches during the first quarter of 2007. Chief Executive,
The Sky's The Limit for NZ-Based Simulator Company
A major international business coup for
Pacific Simulators produces replica cockpits of the Boeing 737 800, the same aircraft type used by Pacific Blue, Qantas and dozens of airlines around the world. The company was a winner in the Champion Canterbury Awards last year.
Managing Director,
“The point of difference with Pacific Simulators is the cost of ownership and operation for the owner. Typically a simulator for an airline or training college will cost in the vicinity of NZ$20,000,000, however, we have been able to produce our highly detailed fixed base simulator for under $1,000,000 using Kiwi ingenuity and our number 8 wire!” says Pero.
“There has been considerable thought and investment into R&D here and in true Kiwi fashion we have questioned the traditional methods of construction. Our own team along with dozens of local suppliers has built this one like no other simulator has been built in the world. It’s definitely raised the eyebrows of the whole industry.”
“Even Thales of Europe, one of the World’s largest technology and simulator builders, has asked us to consider a future joint venture on their flight simulators – this is being considered as we talk. For the meantime we have confirmed sales in
Last year’s projection of $20,000,000 in export (announced at the Champion Canterbury Awards) is very realistic and could well be exceeded if another
The idea of building simulators was first conceived by Russell Hubber, a former radio station programme director. Steve Clarke and Stuart Whelan joined soon after. In 2004
Pero made the news last week also when another one of his companies (JetEx) was appointed the Cargo General Sales Agent for Pacific Blue, during Sir Richard Branson’s visit.
“I’ve had ongoing correspondence with Richard since early last year on our simulators from an entertainment perspective – it seemed a logical fit with Virgin Entertainment. I’m sure, in time and after a brief chat this time with Richard, that his
In New Zealand Pacific Simulators open their simulators to the general public with a chance to take to the controls of a look-alike Boeing 737.
Pacific Simulators trade their retail operation as Flight Experience™ and have already established in
“While we do not call our simulator a Boeing most airline pilot’s recognise it immediately. For the public this is normally a no go zone. To spend time on the flight deck is a thing of the past,” says Pero.
“The entertainment arm has grown faster than the professional training – we have had hundreds of enquiries to establish these from
“Most industry engineers and pilots are astonished at the detail we have achieved. This detail was made possible by the assistance of Pacific Blue and by Air New Zealand Engineering (ANZES) where in our early stages of development we needed to study the aircraft and it’s systems.”
“The purpose of flight simulators is to allow pilots to train and practice procedures in the real aircraft environment. The reality of simulators means that pilots can be put into emergency situations that probably will never occur in the real aircraft – they can thrash out, time and time again every scenario so that in the unlikely event of a problem in the sky it has been already practiced in the simulator. All pilots will go through a career of very tough and ongoing renewal tests – in fact their jobs are on the line every six months as their airline is required to check them against the CAA standards. If they fail a simulator test it can lead to the end of their career as a pilot. Simulators are a critical part of all airline training and recurrency checking.
