Last edit by: Globaliser
Its 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 dont 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.
- Jagbois 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
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FT BA Flight Simulator Outing to Heathrow [UK] 20/27 October 2017
#151
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Philadelphia, Pa
Programs: Starwood Plat, AA EXP
Posts: 77
My flight in will be in to LGW on the 26th because I decided why pay for one trip when I can have two for twice the price! Or in reality, since DUB is so ridiculously cheap to fly out of, two for the price of one. I'll spend that night somewhere in the general London area, take the tube out to LHR and will spend the night of the 27th at the Sheraton Skyline LHR. Gotta use those platinum benefits after all!
#152
Join Date: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,637
Bumping up this thread with a few lodging questions. I have a general idea of the Bath road hotel strip with not any major differences among them. I was considering the Premier Inn that mikeec suggested. I do have SPG/Marriott status which can be helpful for early check-in and late checkout. I'll be coming from DCA on AA arriving about 11 am on Thu. I'll need a day to adjust. My plan was to stay at the LHR Shearton at the other end of Bath Road. Would appreciate any comments from regular users of the LHR airport hotels. Thanks...
#153
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 408
423 from Hatton Cross to Harlington Corner and on Bath Road is probably the best - it's free and runs every 30 minutes after 11. Last one is about 0030 though. Other than that uber will be plentiful and probably £5.
Tube does run all night but will only take you to T123 and T5 or T4 which is not going to be of much use going to Bath Road.
Tube does run all night but will only take you to T123 and T5 or T4 which is not going to be of much use going to Bath Road.
The Tube does run all night on Friday and Saturday, however it doesn't go to T4 (loop), only T2,T3 and T5.
https://tfl.gov.uk/cdn/static/cms/im...-map-large.gif
#155
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,890
Hi folks. I know I have sent out PMs for the passport details and I have nearly everyone now. Just waiting for the following people now:
@mikeec
@Premier Owl
@cl65amg
Could you PM your passport details in the next few days please? I appreciate some may prefer not to send details over the PMs here - happy to do it by email/text/whatsapp, just let me know and I can give you my contact details.
Thanks.
@mikeec
@Premier Owl
@cl65amg
Could you PM your passport details in the next few days please? I appreciate some may prefer not to send details over the PMs here - happy to do it by email/text/whatsapp, just let me know and I can give you my contact details.
Thanks.
#157
#158
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: MAN
Programs: None anymore
Posts: 220
In case anyone isn't aware, they accept AMEX and if you use your BA AMEX card it is treated as BA spend so you get extra Avios.
#159
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,890
In the absence of a reply from KARFA... a few weeks before the sim session, you will receive a message from KARFA with the details of whom to call at BA to make your payment.
In case anyone isn't aware, they accept AMEX and if you use your BA AMEX card it is treated as BA spend so you get extra Avios.
In case anyone isn't aware, they accept AMEX and if you use your BA AMEX card it is treated as BA spend so you get extra Avios.
Sorry I am catching up today and was just replying to some PMs asking the same question. I will be sending out the full instructions and information for the session by PM towards the end of the week. I will include details of how to pay as well - basically payment can be made anytime during the first two weeks in October.
#160
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,890
Thanks to everyone for all your passport details. I have them all now apart from @Premier Owl
PMs will be going out this weekend with full details including how to pay and instructions on the day.
PMs will be going out this weekend with full details including how to pay and instructions on the day.
#161
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Switzerland / Estonia
Programs: AY+ Platinum, BAEC Silver, airbaltic VIP, HH Diamond, Radisson VIP, IHG Diamond Elite
Posts: 6,525
Thanks to everyone for all your passport details. I have them all now apart from @Premier Owl
PMs will be going out this weekend with full details including how to pay and instructions on the day.
PMs will be going out this weekend with full details including how to pay and instructions on the day.
#162
Join Date: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,637
Since I'm in your group I would appreciate a ride back to the Bath road hotel strip. I'll be staying at the Sheraton Heathrow at the far end of Bath Road, not the Skyline which is near the Premier Inn. Except for Soddon, am I the only one flying in from the USA?
#163
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: York, UK
Programs: BAEC Gold, Honors Diamond
Posts: 1,183
Thanks to everyone for all your passport details. I have them all now apart from @Premier Owl
PMs will be going out this weekend with full details including how to pay and instructions on the day.
PMs will be going out this weekend with full details including how to pay and instructions on the day.
#165
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,890
I have been emailing Andy this week and he does send his apologies as he is sometimes difficult to track down and not always at his desk. You can always call and pay using the general number for BAFT - although I think Andy would like to say hello with all who are coming and have a chat.