(Simulated) flying over the Gold Coast

Fairfax

MAGNIFICENT MEN: Flight Experience offers customers the ability to fly around their choice of destination anywhere in the world.

Flight Experience

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Flight-deck visits by passengers have become a no-no in these days of aviation security but if you'd like to learn what it's like to be at the controls of a jet plane then there's an alternative – and you don't need to be screened!

Visitors to the Gold Coast can visit the world's tallest residential-only building Q1 at Surfers Paradise (322.5m from the ground to the tip of its spire) then fly thousands of metres higher though a simulator operated by the Flight Experience company.

And there's no doubting the qualifications of the man in charge: Tony Hamblyn is an Air New Zealand international pilot.

Customers sit in the pilot's seat of a flight-deck similar to that of a Boeing 737, beside a fully-qualified flying instructor.

Outside the aircraft's nose is a wraparound screen showing scenes in front of, beside, and below the pretend jet. The wannabe aviator controls the simulated takeoff, scenic flight, landing and taxi back to the gate.

It's accompanied by full sound effects as the "big jet engines roar" (to quote the song) when given full throttle.

There's a choice of flights lasting 30, 60 and 90 minutes – some with optional extras later of a (real, not simulated) facial or body massage or spa treatment.

As well as Surfers Paradise, New Zealand-based Flight Experience also conducts operations at shops at Darling Harbour in Sydney and at QV Square in Melbourne; there are plans to open another soon in Perth.

The Gold Coast franchise is held by Tony Hamblyn and his wife Beryl who have a team of full-time and part-time instructors, all with either airline or private flying licences.

Customers are greeted as Captain at the Q1 retail centre, then given a boarding pass and a briefing.

Boarding is announced on the PA system. The customer steps into the flight deck, takes his or her seat and from then on is in charge of the jet until landing – always under the watchful eyes of an instructor.

Hamblyn says the Q1 flights began in April and have proved popular, especially among tourists to the Gold Coast.

They've included kids who dream of becoming a pilot, men who've flown the propeller-driven planes of decades ago and some adults who've never been off the ground.

"We've had people of both sexes and of all ages from 87 down to a four-and-a-half year old boy who sat on his fathers knee", Hamblyn added.

Prices range from $A175 to 580 ($NZ222 to $736) – with no airport taxes or fuel surcharges! The flights are:

* An introductory simulation, taking the controls for a 30-minute flight circuiting your home airport, with scenic views. Price $175. This one only is available to children under 15, for $125.

* A 60-minute flight to and from any airport of your choosing – Brisbane-Sydney or Los Angeles-Las Vegas are among more than 24,000 available – flying around the city, with a couple of landings. Price for adults only is $A275, or $A389 including a one-hour facial or body massage.

* A 90-minutes experience in which, after a full briefing, you fly around your choice of destination and face some "more challenging approaches" before landing – one of which could be the hair-raising approach between high-rise buildings to Hong Kong's old Kai Tak airport. Price for adults $375, or $580 including a 90-minute Mala Mayi spa treatment using warmed mud; "rain therapy" and a Kodo massage.

- AAP