Simviation Forums

Today I did a take off and 2 landings as pilot in a 747-200!!!!

The take off was quite easy, just have to keep her on the runway and pull-up at VR then follow the flight director. that's when things start to get complicated,  follow the flight director. My main flying experience is from flight sim, so you have to get used to the feeling first, before beeing able to handle the lady the right way.

then come the landings, flight director on, no auto-throttle, I took over around 2000ft aligned with the runway, I followed the F/D more or less until the flare wich I failed, not used to the feeling/handling, and the bird is quite heavy a these speeds, I think that I bounced badly...
the second landing was with 15kts crosswind from the left, it was more funny, more maneouvering, and again, all was pretty good until the flare, bad bounce again...

well, it's an interresting experience, I think that once you get used to the feeling/weight of the beast it must not be that difficult to fly. hopefully, it was in a simulator, so there was no damage to the A/C, and I didn't killed myself and the few onboard...
the aim of todays sim session was to illustrate the A/P - F/D functions we studied in class the last few days. engineering training, not flight crew.
tommorrow, another sim session but no fun this time, it will be for engine ground run and it will be an exam, so no joke...
back to study!

vince

Sounds a great experience. I still vividly remember my experience in a 757 simulator about 15 years ago. I wish I could do that again!

Even a simulator-ride like that should be thrilling! You're a lucky guy Thelebron! Are you studying to become an airline-pilot?

no, I'm ground engineer and undergoing a 747-200 type rating.
the flight is not part of the training, it's just the cherry on the cake...
but I don't know why I was wet when living the sim!!!

vince

Well, any engineer should do a little test-flight after a change or reparation, don't you agree? Just to see if things "feel" right...  ;)

Well, any engineer should do a little test-flight after a change or reparation, don't you agree? Just to see if things "feel" right...  ;)

why just "a little test-flight"...
that would be great, but not realistic...

why just "a little test-flight"...
that would be great, but not realistic...

I'm sure they'll last long enough if you do them Ozzy-style  ;)

flying the simulator sounds like a great experience. Good luck on your exam!

hey guys,

I have just done another sim session today, for the engine run....
it was my first engine run, and believe me, for the 747-200, it's just a hell!!!
As the engineer in charge, (captain seat), you just have so many things to check and do... you really need to do few runs before getting used to it, and to handle it properly....
anyway, at the end we flew a bit, so I had the chance to do another take off, a touch and go and a landing... it's been better than yesterday, getting used to it I guess.

We also did 2 barrel roll for fun, from 37000ft, she goes over quite easily, only loss 6000ft... we also did a landing with the gear up, you really have to want it 'cause you have so many warnings....
well, that's it, I won't have anymore sim session before a while, but I has been quite an experience.
I fell lucky enough to have the opportunity to do that...

hope you enjoy it as much as I did

vince

We also did 2 barrel roll for fun, from 37000ft, she goes over quite easily, only loss 6000ft...

vince

now..... for the real stuff!

this sounds awesome, man where could I do this?

Ramos

now..... for the real stuff!

this sounds awesome, man where could I do this?

Ramos

yes, I wouldn't try for real, but...

personaly, I did that with my company sim, for training purpose, the flights were at the end of the sessions when/if there was some time left. so, I don't know where you could do that...sorry

vince

It's a bit smaller, but for about 500-600 Euros an hour, you can fly the A320 or 737 simulators at Sabena Flight Academy... Flight to Brussels excluded...  ;D

Wow, Vince, it must have been an amazing experience to fly a Boeing 747-200 Simulator!  :o
Was it a full-motion one?

it was a full motion, but for insurances reasons (ground engineer instructor are not insured for full motion...) we couldn't use motion.
but to tell you the truth, for me, it was moving, or seems like moving...
it's so immersive (don't know if that is english...), you really feel like it's moving...

I use to come from time to time to brussels to visit sabena technics as they handle there...

vince

many private companies have built their own cockpits and hire them out

http://www.rcsimulations.com/

in Bristol for example.

(My birthday present this year!)

.Mic

what? so if your an engineer you cant have motion on the sims?

yes, right.
with my company, at least...
but as an engineer you don't really need it. except when simulating high power engine run, where there is quite a lot of motion, otherwise...