FBS8 – First full flight simulator session

We just had our first full flight simulator session, although without motion for now!  We’ve got two more sessions without motion, and then it they will all be with full motion.  The idea is to allow us a smooth transition from the fixed based procedural trainer.  The full motion simulator is less spacious inside than the procedural trainer and more realistic to the actual aircraft.  The instrumentation is of a much higher quality and realistic.  I also noticed was the perspective of the overhead panel is different since we’re seated further forward so that we can reach the rudder pedals, and it’s quite easy to miss switches if we don’t move our heads and look properly.  Also, the aft overhead panel seems so high and far away!  We were also aware of error of reading certain instruments such as the cabin altitude indicator or the rudder trim, due to parallax.

The session involved a normal take-off and initial climb and then we were given a failure related to the instrument displays.  Once we solved that, we were given some engine related failures in the cruise – overheat, failure and fire, which we had to deal with.  Some of these had memory items which had to be done before looking at the QRH and going through the appropriate checklist.  We then continued on for a non-precision NDB approach, for which we had to go around due to a failure, deal with the failure and then land from the next approach.

I didn’t find the lack of space in comparison to the procedural trainer too disconcerting, especially since I’m not really huge, so I fitted in nicely!  I did find that I needed to fiddle with the seats a little and familiarise myself with the controls since I’ve not been in a 737 simulator before other than at my assessment.  The instructors are now bringing in a more realistic simulation of communication, including ATC, cabin crew and passengers.  This highlighted the importance of prioritising tasks – to fly the aircraft first, then navigation, and then communicate, “aviate, communicate, navigate”.  In addition, we now have visuals, and found transitioning from instruments to the view outside can be a little disorientating if it’s abrupt.  However, I was pilot monitoring in this session, so didn’t fully get to experience that, which I will in tomorrows session. The pilot flying will have split his time between instruments and the outside view and slowly increase the time he’s looking outside as he’s approaching minimums to ease this transition.

I’m pilot flying for the next session, and looking forward to finally being able to do some manual flying, albeit it’ll only be for the take-off, initial climb and go-around if we practice one.