An Unforgettable Ride in a $40 Million B777 Simulator
We do our best to give our winners some sort of real life airline life experience - sometimes a return flight on the flight deck and for some lucky winners, they get to meet our wonderful Arthur Gatland and try out the Air New Zealand B777 Simulator at Auckland Airport.
This is truly a wonderous machine, able to simulate not only the flying of the B777 but also the movement of the aircraft. (So you really don’t want to crash it!!!).
Late last year, Matthew Youssef and Abi Carter wrote about their time in the simulator and we present their perspectives here.
Matthew Youssef
The Boeing 777 holds a special place in my heart, having ignited my passion for aviation.
Discovering that Arthur Gatland, a former RAF pilot now instructing on the Air New Zealand simulators, flew this aircraft (and many more) left me truly amazed.
Flying the Air New Zealand B777 simulator was a dream come true, turning a childhood aspiration into reality.
Arthur Gatland and Matthew Youssef in the B777 Simulator
The initial impression struck me immediately – its sheer size. Photos of the simulators fail to convey the true magnitude; these behemoths stand on hydraulically actuated stilts, a feature that demands firsthand experience to truly appreciate.
The B777, with its "Fly-by-wire" systems, was a magical feat to replicate on a simulator, requiring decades of technological advancement and computer engineering. Experiencing movements across all three dimensions provided a surreal sense of reality.
Furthermore, the simulator's ability to replicate nearly any international airport is a valuable training tool. The profound realism, of not just the scenery but also the 1:1 nature of the cockpit, makes it a remarkable experience especially for whoever is at the controls.
The instructor panel covered everything needed to practice various conditions and scenarios.
Naturally, with my non-existent experience, my flight occurred on a beautiful, windless sunny day.
B787 simulator - for scale note the double doors at the bottom left of the image.
Stepping into the right-hand seat, anticipation was mixed with excitement. The full-motion simulation felt undeniably real as we taxied and soared into the virtual skies. Watching the training captain, Arthur Gatland, effortlessly execute the flows and pilot the aircraft with absolute ease, his prior RAF experience on Harriers and Hawks became obvious. It was an immense learning experience watching him complete advanced manoeuvres with such proficiency.
During my turn, the takeoff from runway 25L at Los Angeles, executing a left-hand circuit, and returning for a landing brought a thrill like no other.
Following the flight directors definitely posed challenges, I wasn't expecting the B777 climb to feel like a rocket. However, considering the immense thrust generated by the GE90-115B engines at TO/GA thrust, it's not surprising in hindsight.
After somewhat taming the beast, we set up for an ILS 25L approach, following the glideslope and localiser on my PFD, and hand flying the final moments. After observing Arthur’s landings, I then took control for my own landing - Eyes at the end of the runway.... Initiate flare at 30 feet… Thrust idle….
It might not have been the prettiest, but as they say, "any landing you can walk away from is a good one, and if the aircraft can fly again, it was a great one!"
Reflecting on my experience, I left the simulator building with the confidence that I would do whatever it takes to return one day as a certified pilot undergoing my simulator check. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Arthur Gatland, whose kindness provided me with this valuable opportunity. I aspire to repay him with a flight one day once I obtain my PPL.
Beyond the exhilarating flight, delving into the training culture at Air New Zealand revealed a commitment to cultivating exceptional pilots. The instructors and captains, with their humour, kindness, and genuine care, create an environment where excellence thrives. These qualities, I believe, are the foundation of a successful airline that proudly represents our nation.
Air NZ Simulator Stable featuring the B787 and B777 to the left.
Abi Carter
The simulator was nothing like what I'd imagined, I really hadn't expected it to be quite so sophisticated. It looked and felt so realistic that I kept forgetting that I wasn't flying a real plane!! I made a joke at the time about how Arthur was the "simulator deity" but that's honestly what it felt like - he could control the weather, our location, our stage of flight... anything! And… he knew everything! No matter what questions we asked, no matter what the simulator was doing, he'd know it all!
Abi Carter in the B777 Sim
I got to take off from Hong Kong first, fly under a bridge, and then return and land! It was slightly overwhelming at first, but once I got used to how the controls felt and how the trim worked - that was quite crucial! - it almost felt easy. I'm well aware I was only doing the basics - with lovely Arthur taking care of everything that was completely alien to me - but it still surprised me how much I managed to learn and retain! By the end of the day, I could happily and confidently take off, and fly the B777 (somewhat!) accurately, and land it again... although less competently! As well as trimming, setting headings and altitudes when asked, putting the gear up and down, and setting the park brake (to be fair though, that at least was similar to a C172!!)
I even learned how to do an aileron roll, and a barrel roll! It really amazed me that after our one day in the simulator, the cockpit had already stopped being so daunting and totally unfamiliar - and I'm officially one step closer to the cockpit of a B777 being as understandable and familiar to me as a C152 is now! I really cannot wait to have as much knowledge and experience as Arthur does!
Abi Carter B777 “Captain” departing Auckland in the B777 Simulator. Arthur Gatland is her Co.
I don't even think I can choose one highlight of the day - although my aileron rolls were definitely one of my favourite parts! It was all so fascinating, I got to experience landing with a 40 knot crosswind, flying under a bridge in Hong Kong, flying in and out of Queenstown, landing in Auckland with a dual engine failure after bird strike in both engines (very Hudson river vibes!) and take my time learning to fly a B777 - it was all so magical, I really can't think of a better word! It's also given me a little glimpse into what my future might be and made me even more determined to work hard over the next few years, because I really cannot wait to achieve this next goal!!!
No doubt many of you would love your own chance to fly the Simulator. although we can’t make that happen, if you are interested in what goes on in the Sim, check out Arthur’s article on it - https://www.pauwelsflyingscholarship.co.nz/blog/flight-simulators-as-a-training-device-by-arthur-gatland
And check out this YouTube video of Arthur taking the B787 Simulator on a LESS THAN ONE MINUTE flight from Take Off to Landing (Trust Arthur to test its limits!!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6CRmeSEUkQ
