Owen Lucas
$100 Site Donor 2023
- Joined
- Sep 5, 2021
- Messages
- 2,585
Years ago a pilot friend let me tag along with him for sim time in a Dassault Falcon 7X flight training simulator. It was a very interesting experience, even just touring the facility. The simulator is mounted on 6 hydraulic rams and appears to be plumbed into a pump / server control room. Each sim costs $20 million and contains the same interior parts and controls as the simulated plane. The images are displayed with multiple projectors inside the domed simulator housing.
My buddy let me fly the 7X for a bit, there is no yolk, just a joy stick. I had no idea how to start the plane, he just started flipping switches and turning dials, it was amazing. The plane practically took off, messing around with the rudder sure didn't help. I wanted to do some aerobatics but the 7X really doesn't want you doing anything abnormal, it's almost like the joystick stops you from taking too hard of an angle. Regardless I pushed through the block and the computer gave up allowing me to fly upside down, take really hard banking angles, do steep dives and climbs and then stall the plane. Multiple alarms sounded along with warnings that the ailerons broke and other things went wrong which I did not understand. I also flew by the Statue of Liberty and even under the Verrazano Bridge, pretty lifelike graphics for over 10 years ago (which explains the video quality).
At some point the trainer set the baggage compartment and engines on fire, killed the instrument panel and then the electricity to the plane. Some type of an outboard propeller type device pops out from under the plane to generate auxiliary electricity which allows you to regain some function but it shakes the entire plane. My heart was pumping and I was sweating throughout the experience especially when I was told to land the plane with no power but that I have just enough glide to make it to the runway, I "instinctively" pulled up and splashed into the bay (blue screen). Much respect to pilots and the profession!!!
Here's a short video if you are interested in watching a random guy with no clue how to fly a plane.
My buddy let me fly the 7X for a bit, there is no yolk, just a joy stick. I had no idea how to start the plane, he just started flipping switches and turning dials, it was amazing. The plane practically took off, messing around with the rudder sure didn't help. I wanted to do some aerobatics but the 7X really doesn't want you doing anything abnormal, it's almost like the joystick stops you from taking too hard of an angle. Regardless I pushed through the block and the computer gave up allowing me to fly upside down, take really hard banking angles, do steep dives and climbs and then stall the plane. Multiple alarms sounded along with warnings that the ailerons broke and other things went wrong which I did not understand. I also flew by the Statue of Liberty and even under the Verrazano Bridge, pretty lifelike graphics for over 10 years ago (which explains the video quality).
At some point the trainer set the baggage compartment and engines on fire, killed the instrument panel and then the electricity to the plane. Some type of an outboard propeller type device pops out from under the plane to generate auxiliary electricity which allows you to regain some function but it shakes the entire plane. My heart was pumping and I was sweating throughout the experience especially when I was told to land the plane with no power but that I have just enough glide to make it to the runway, I "instinctively" pulled up and splashed into the bay (blue screen). Much respect to pilots and the profession!!!
Here's a short video if you are interested in watching a random guy with no clue how to fly a plane.
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