Have a go... at flying an aeroplane

In Notts we’d love to fly you to paradise and now we can! Whether it’s Biarritz, Barbados or Blidworth, SimSpot’s new state-of-the-art flight simulator can take you there. A team from Nottingham Tourism Centre were lucky enough to be invited to have a look around the newly-opened simulator, located on the top floor of Nottingham’s Cornerhouse. With its awesome real-life Boeing 737-800 cockpit, Simspot offers would-be pilots the chance to have a go at taking off and landing as well as negotiating some of the world’s trickiest terrain – all without leaving Nottingham. The simulator has a database of thousands of airports worldwide, so it’s simply a case of picking a destination and off you go. Forget computer games though – the flight deck and controls really are straight out of a Boeing 737 with every switch, knob, dial and read out working exactly as it would on the real thing. In fact, so realistic is the set up, along with the graphics and terrain on the massive screens in front of you, that airline pilots regularly use SimSpot as a training facility. On our visit we were met by real-life pilot Darren Wheeler who showed us around. Once settled in and briefed we could pick from pretty much any airport on the planet – JFK, Heathrow and Hong Kong being the most popular of course – with up to two people at a time at the controls; the pilot and co-pilot. We chose to have a go at landing at St Maarten’s Princess Juliana International Airport and then, at the touch of a button, we were taking off from New York’s La Guardia. From there it was on to the Swiss Alps to try our hand at negotiating a few thousand tonnes of aircraft through a tricky valley and then finally on to Hong Kong see how easy it is to land a plane whilst avoiding skyscrapers and the South China Sea. And although the flight deck doesn’t physically move, the depth of the graphics and scenery passing you by really do make you feel like you’re onboard a jetliner – warning alarms and all. Apart from being a fun and informative experience, SimSpot also offer fear of flying courses for those who need help conquering their worries about taking to the skies. An experienced pilot will take you through the mechanics of the aircraft, explaining away any unexpected noises or sensations that you may experience as a passenger, hopefully putting you more at ease with flying and being on an aeroplane. But if it’s a day out with a difference you’re looking for then SimSpot is a great alternative activity for stag parties and has been proving popular as a Father’s Day gift. So whether you’re planning a career move or just looking for something new with friends, Simspot’s flight simulator is definitely the place for you – thoroughly recommended. Call, email or just pop in for a chat, you will be opening the door on a truly unique experience. t: 0844 693 1182 e: info@simspot.co.uk w: www.simspot.co.uk a: Simspot | The Cornerhouse | Burton Street | Nottingham | NG1 4DB