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The sim itself is a brand new set up from flight deck solutions in Canada, and thanks to a projector, domed screen and 5 pc units I got to enjoy two takeoff's and landings at Salzburg airport. (at my request. You'll see why later.)
anyway, I was greeted by two very nice Austrian gentlemen. Dressed in appropriate pilots uniform and in no time at all I was whisked into the cockpit. (the austrian's are terribly efficient). My instructor was a trained pilot and we discussed the main differences between the A320 and my favourite, the B737. He told me that his preference was the 737 as it was "real flying" versus the A320's "computer game feel" which I found interesting.
Back to business though. I'm not terrible familiar with the A320 dispite it's inclusion as a default aircraft in fsx, but it was a huge culture shock using the controls. Firstly, the side stick is vey firm. Not at all what I expected. If the stick is firm though the rudder pedals are brutally solid. It's very hard to get full deflection on the rudder without 'giving it some' (not that I tried.)
With the route planned, the aircraft lined up on runway 34, my instructor told me to advance the throttles. Thinking Boeing, I advanced the throttles to around 40%, waited for the power to stabilize, then advanced them to opt he first stop, which was my first mistake. The first notched sets climb power (something you A320 pilots out there are now laughing about). The second mistake was I was sitting on the brakes as I tried to maintain the centerline. The rudder pedals my be like rocks but the brakes aren't. Finally I set the power to toga and as my instructor gave me the 'veer' numbers, I brought the stick back and we were up. We climbed to 2200ft before climbing again to 3500ft to silence the many GPWS alarms that the mountainious scenery around Salzburg generate. Flying to the SZG VOR i set the autopilot to gently bring us 180° to line up with an approach to runway 16. The aircraft is remarkably stable and the side stick, whist feeling a bit strange coming from a yoke, is responsive and you soon get use to some left hand flying. I dialed in an approach speed of 140kts and began arming the speed brakes, bringing the flaps down and setting the auto brake (all under suggestion of my instructor, of course). Hand flying the A320, I lined it up with the runway, got the decent path looking good (a comment of surprise from the instructor confirmed this!) and I slowly descended to land. And that's where my 3rd mistake came. I floated the landing, sending the nose up temporally before I brought here to the runway. Hmmmmm. My instructor asked if i'd like to try it again. I didn't need asking twice. Turning the aircraft on the runway, I lined it up, checked the config and off we went again. This time I knew what to expect, and I flew a pretty good approach the second time, landing more or less on the centre line and not a float in sight. :-). I finished the session taxiing to the terminal whist my instructor took me though the shut down checklist.
The 30 minutes were a more generous 40 and i loved every minute. My thanks to the staff at Vienna flight. If your ever in Vienna and Fancy a challenge, give them a ring.
Best wishes,
Jess B
