It was a school night. But when I mentioned to a nine year old friend that he could try out TWO flight simulators (a brand new one for a Typhoon and a 360 degree ride), enjoy a 3D flying experience with the Red Arrows AND meet real, live RAF pilots the decision was instantaneous.
So we entered The Science Museum as everyone else was leaving and made our way up to the Fly Zone on the third floor. The nice people there explained that whilst the museum’s collection of planes was extensive, the simulators were there for visitors to experience what it was like to be up in the air in one. Experiential learning at its best.
My young companion was itching to have a go. So we joined four other people and entered the space shuttle-shaped Typhoon Force simulator. After some brief safety instructions we were off. The RAF pilot on the screen walked casually across the airfield explaining that we would be flying over parts of North Wales and the Lake District. And then we took off.
Amazingly, it had been filmed on a perfect weather day – blue skies and sunshine. Wonder how many takes that took? Anyway, we were up at 40,000 feet pretty quick (the real planes go as high as 55,000 feet) and we banked from side to side through the green valleys. We passengers slipped from side to side on our benches and giggled in delight. Then the simulator flew as low as 250 feet from the ground and we could see the farm buildings and stunning views of the lakes in perfect clarity. Breath taking.
In the film, there was another Typhoon flying just ahead of us. We couldn’t believe it was so quiet – as when you see Typhoons from the ground the noise is thunderous. The RAF pilot we chatted to afterwards explained that over land – where they must remain at sub-sonic speeds (that’s still 550 mph) - the sound proofing inside the plane is so effective that they really do only hear the whisper of the engines. Amazing to think that these planes can fly at twice that speed. Whilst the simulator did bump us around a bit, it was still much smoother than we had expected. The pilot assured us that it really was like that in real life.
So then we waited to enter the Red Arrows 3D theatre. Here we had to put on seat belts and 3D glasses. And after a brief introduction by another pilot on the screen (we were also fortunate to have one of the Typhoon pilots with us and also a former head of the Red Arrows team to provide extra information and answer our questions) we took off with six other Red Arrows.
This was incredible too – they fly as close as six feet apart – and we did corkscrews, rolls and deep dives. The nine year old took it in his stride although I was getting a little dizzy as I tried to make out the Cypriot coastline we were flying over. And all the way through you can hear the instructions of the pilots on screen saying things like “Break” and “Rollover”. I am pretty sure that I leaned left and right as we flew too.
My nine year old was very impressed. But a little too awestruck to talk to the pilots to hear first hand what it is really like in one of those tiny red planes doing those precision acrobatics. And then the nine year old had his first of three goes on the 360 simulator.
He dragged me with him on the second occasion and I could see why this was his favourite. Seat belts and an over-body frame. Uh oh. Whilst the graphics were not of the same perfect clarity and reality as the first two real films we had seen, in this simulator you had the controls. And you could do a real 360 roll (yes, you go upside down so no loose items in your clothing are allowed) and terrifying nose dives. In a simulator, no one can hear you scream. I was beginning to wonder whether I would have had a more or less scary ride with a real pilot - this nine year old appears to know how to fly like a pro. And I’m fairly sure that it was me screaming rather than the nine year old.
And, what appeals to every young aspiring jet pilot, it has the ability to shoot down enemy targets. It was like being inside a video game. I was exhilarated enough in the simulator, so I have no idea how those guys do this for real. Respect. As I said, the nine year old was completely blown away by this experience so be prepared.
Tickets for the Typhoon simulator are £5 for adults and £4 for children. There is a height restriction although it is suitable for younger kids. The Red Arrows 3D experience is £6 for adults and £5 for kids and again younger children will be OK. The 360 simulator is £12 for two people and the minimum age is nine.
Fly 360 http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/Home/visitmuseum/Plan_your_visit/simulators/~/link.aspx?_id=DE5E958DB9B341499BF15E6B9C934767&_z=z
Red Arrows 3D http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/visitmuseum_old/galleries/red_arrows.aspx
Typhoon Force http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/visitmuseum/plan_your_visit/simulators/typhoon.aspx
