Today I finally got my hands on my 21st Birthday present - an hour in a full-motion 737 simulator in Yorkshire.

I arrived at the flight centre at about 2.15, my flight starting at 2.30. I filled in a form with my details and was taken into the simulator. On first impressions, it seemed very small and cramped as I expected it to. I took my place in the left hand seat, and my instructor sat on the right. I was given a quick briefing of all the controls and gauge, then the instructor placed the 737-200 aircraft on runway 16 at Aberdeen. I pushed the throttles all the way forward and started accelerating down the runway, feeling every bump of the rough surface before finally getting airborne. The instructor called “positive rate” and raised the landing gear which locked in place with a clunk. After my initial comments about being able to feel all the bumps from the turbulence, the instructor took great delight in making the rest of the flight pretty bumpy which was a nice touch, but made it difficult to hold a steady rate of climb or descent.

I flew round in a circuit given headings by the instructor to establish on the ILS for runway 16 to make my first landing of the day. I kept on the power till over the numbers, then quickly retarded the throttles to idle to make a nice firm landing. I then taxied round back to the runway to make another takeoff. This time shortly after takeoff the instructor cut the number 1 engine, which caused me to apply a boot full of right rudder and went round to land on the single engine. I think I made a pretty good job of this one considering the situation; at least I made it onto the runway! Next up was a landing in low visibility. I managed to get established onto the ILS just inside 4 miles after a few problems relating to my inexperience and after a bit of wavering around managed to put it down just before the runway started - doh! Considering it was probably about 200 m visibility, I don’t think it was that bad for my third landing! Next up I did another few landings, including one in about a 15 knot crosswind which I managed to get down just right of the centreline.

All in all, a truly fantastic experience. To anyone who thinks they can fly an aircraft because they can use flight simulator - I say rubbish! It is so different being able to feel the aircraft moving in response to control inputs you make.