Mar 31, 2017, 3:42 am
Last edit by: Globaliser
It’s back again! Simulator choice this year is 747 and 777. One of the 747 simulators is actually going this year so you may want to try them before they all go. No one will be forced to fly on something they don’t want though, and I would imagine the 747 is the one most want (and should) try.
Previous Trip Reports for the Simulators
- Some photos and videos from 2016 here, here, and here.
- Some photos and videos from 2015 here, and here.
- Jagboi’s TR http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...l#post25536244
- My TR from the 2014 outing here.
- GodAtum has tried them and did a report here.
Cost
Each simulator holds 4 people and one instructor. The total cost of a 4 hour session in one simulator would be £1,700 (this is cheaper than BA offer to the public), and this would give around 55-60 minutes of time per person on the controls – although we would rotate during the session so this would be split in to a number of smaller time chunks. Please note that the prices on the BAFT website are quoted as £1,700 excluding VAT per simulator, but we have been offered them for a price of £1,700, including VAT.
As we are charged per simulator generally a group in multiples of 4 would be ideal, with cost per person being £425. If we only had three people for example we would still have to pay £1,700 so the cost per person increases to £567 per person, although we would each get a bit more time at the controls. If we end up with 5 though it may well make sense to go to 1 simulator to reduce the cost and have say 45/50 minutes each per simulator.
Basically once we confirm numbers we can make a choice if we don't have a multiple of 4, although a multiple of 4 would be ideal.
Payment
Once the date is confirmed and booked each person would pay their share directly to BAFT, this is likely to be around September or early October when payment is due. It would be non-refundable so if you don't show you would unfortunately not get your money back, but this stops those that do show all of a sudden having to cover any no-show's share. If you do commit and pay and find in a few months you can't make it one option may be to see if a friend, work colleague, or other FT'er can come and take your place and they can pay you directly for your share which you have already paid to BAFT.
I will ensure that we are absolutely not going to be in a situation on the day where I am asking those that have come along to dip in to their pockets to cover any additional cost. Sorry this seems a bit harsh, but I don't think anyone wants to turn up finding instead of £3,400 divided by 8 it is suddenly only divided by 6.
Dates & Times
Unfortunately weekends are not possible for a group booking, so the options are weekdays. My own preference would be a Friday and probably 1900-2300 as (coming from the regions) I would only need to take half a day off work and wouldn't have to worry about getting back for working the next day. For those in London or around the South East you could come in the evening and there would be no need for any holiday being used.
If we booked for a date more than 3 months in advance we can hopefully get our choice of date & time. I have already confirmed with BA that the dates offered below are available.
Attendees and Groups
See post 127 for the group lists - http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/28614931-post127.html
Standby list -
Location
The simulators are all now at the new Engineering Base at Heathrow near Hatton Cross tube station - they used to be at Cranebank which is where we went in 2014, but they were moved last year and our 2015 and 2016 visits were at the new facility. More details here.
As this is part of a secure area you would need a passport or other photo ID to enter.
Flights
20.10.17
BA835 DUB-LHR (ETA: 1425) EI147, datschi
BA1343 LBA-LHR (ETA: 1535) KARFA,
BA753 BSL-LHR (ETA: 1240) florens
27.10.17
BA1343 LBA-LHR (ETA: 1535) KARFA, S_W_S
Hotels
20.10.17
Hilton Garden Inn Heathrow at Hatton Cross: florens, KARFA, flatlander
Sheraton Heathrow: headinclouds
27.10.17
Hilton Garden Inn Heathrow at Hatton Cross: KARFA, S_W_S
.
FT BA Flight Simulator Outing to Heathrow [UK] – 20/27 October 2017
Apr 16, 2017, 10:43 am
#46
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Apr 16, 2017, 9:41 pm
#48
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Apr 17, 2017, 5:13 pm
#49
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA - GL, Disgruntled ex LH HON
Posts: 383
happy to stay on short stand by incase space is available after hard firm up and it works as long as I'm available.
Last edited by danielbk; Apr 17, 2017 at 11:27 pm
Apr 17, 2017, 7:13 pm
#50
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Londinium
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Posts: 287
Since I do this every 6 months (bit without the ability to play and not fear for my license) I'll rather sit this one out if I can't do a double, but, happy for you to please bear me in mind in case you have cancelltion, similar to last year.
Last year I ended up being everyone's co pilot because the A320 captain assigned go us simply did not know the 744 well enough (or how to operate the sim) and I believe my one hour paying ended up benefiting everyone in my session.
In any case happy to stay on short stand by incase space is available after hard firm up and it works as long as I'm available.
Last year I ended up being everyone's co pilot because the A320 captain assigned go us simply did not know the 744 well enough (or how to operate the sim) and I believe my one hour paying ended up benefiting everyone in my session.
In any case happy to stay on short stand by incase space is available after hard firm up and it works as long as I'm available.
I won't go in to the details of some of the slightly cringe-inducing moments that caused some exchanges of raised eyebrows, but suffice to say exercising some humility is such an important aspect of CRM.
Thank you to all the pilots and looking forward to another excellent evening.
Last edited by BoeBus; Apr 17, 2017 at 7:21 pm
Apr 18, 2017, 12:10 am
#51
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Edited my messages following BoeBus's comment which correctly criticised the tone of a message I should not have written in that way middle of the night on the first place.
happy to stay on short stand by incase space is available after hard firm up and it works as long as I'm available.
happy to stay on short stand by incase space is available after hard firm up and it works as long as I'm available.
Apr 18, 2017, 3:09 am
#52
Join Date: Nov 2012
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Posts: 5,699
OK so due to a friend announcing his wedding for the week-end of the 27th October, I will not be able to make it. I trust this is not too late to cancel my engagement ?
Apr 18, 2017, 3:30 am
#53
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No, that's fine. We will be confirmed some time in May so no issue at all with you cancelling now. Sorry you can't make it.
Apr 23, 2017, 4:17 pm
#54
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 10
Would like to join in
Been wanting to do this for years and I was gutted to find out about last years event just after it had taken place. Yes please I would love to join in with this years event. I can do either 20th or 27th October. I would really prefer to do the 747.
Apr 23, 2017, 11:48 pm
#55
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You would be very welcome to join and I have added you to the lists in the wiki now.
Apr 23, 2017, 11:55 pm
#56
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On a general point I expect to confirm things with BA during May. Bearing that in mind, the cutoff date will be Friday 19 May.
For those who have already posted, please do let me know if you are unable to make it now. Unfortunately due to the cost and the advanced booking period once we pass this date you will be responsible for your share of the cost - if you can't make it one option may be to see if a friend, work colleague, or other FT'er can come and take your place and they can pay you directly for your share which you have already paid to BAFT.
I appreciate that this does mean committing 5 months ahead, however this is unfortunately inevitable - the sims are very busy and they are charged on a per sim basis to us, so the total cost does not decrease if only 3 turn up when there were originally 4 booked.
For those who have already posted, please do let me know if you are unable to make it now. Unfortunately due to the cost and the advanced booking period once we pass this date you will be responsible for your share of the cost - if you can't make it one option may be to see if a friend, work colleague, or other FT'er can come and take your place and they can pay you directly for your share which you have already paid to BAFT.
I appreciate that this does mean committing 5 months ahead, however this is unfortunately inevitable - the sims are very busy and they are charged on a per sim basis to us, so the total cost does not decrease if only 3 turn up when there were originally 4 booked.
Apr 24, 2017, 3:44 am
#57
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Switzerland
Programs: AY+ Platinum, SK Gold, BAEC Silver, airbaltic VIP, Radisson VIP
Posts: 6,531
Just to confirm something regarding the sharing of the cost. Did I understand it correctly that there is indeed a possibility that the price would be divided through 3 instead of 4 should one group not be full?
I am fully commited, just want to know if I have to expect additional costs (that is more than £425).
I am fully commited, just want to know if I have to expect additional costs (that is more than £425).
Apr 24, 2017, 3:49 am
#58
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Just to confirm something regarding the sharing of the cost. Did I understand it correctly that there is indeed a possibility that the price would be divided through 3 instead of 4 should one group not be full?
I am fully commited, just want to know if I have to expect additional costs (that is more than £425).
I am fully commited, just want to know if I have to expect additional costs (that is more than £425).
Once the numbers are clear I'll have a think about a plan and how the group numbers may be, but it should be the case that the default will be people in a 4 group, and maybe a 3 group if there are those who want to do that.
Apr 24, 2017, 3:51 am
#59
Join Date: Oct 2010
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Unless you want to do a 3 group and pay a bit more for a bit more time per person, everyone should be in a 4 group. There are a few people who may prefer a 3 group, but I don't think in previous years I have forced anyone to be in a 3.
Once the numbers are clear I'll have a think about a plan and how the group numbers may be, but it should be the case that the default will be people in a 4 group, and maybe a 3 group if there are those who want to do that.
Once the numbers are clear I'll have a think about a plan and how the group numbers may be, but it should be the case that the default will be people in a 4 group, and maybe a 3 group if there are those who want to do that.
.