A Look at Flight Experience: Singapore's Leading Public Flight Simulator Based on the B737-800 

An exclusive interview by Jim Simon, WOA Member 

Wings Over Asia member Jim Simon caught up with Joanna Caston, co-owner of Flight Experience Singapore, to have a "bi-annual" review of her and her husband's 737-800 flight simulator. 

WoA: What is Flight Experience? 

FE: An amazing opportunity for the public to fly a professional flight simulator - something that has only be available to real pilots previously. It is based on the Boeing 737-800. 

It was started by my husband (retired captain, Michael Caston) and me (Joanna Caston, retired flight attendant). 

WoA: When did Flight Experience "take off"? 

FE: We opened in February 2008. 

WoA: Who are the typical customers? 

FE: We don't have a typical customer..from young men and women who dream of becoming airline pilots, to people who want to conquer their fear of flying, commercial pilots showing their families around the flight deck, retired pilots who want to see the new technology, there isn't a typical customer - the whole point was to make it open and available to all. 

WoA: What are your and Michael's backgrounds? 

FE: Michael joined BEA in 1970 at Hamble Flying College - during his career he flew the Trident, 1-11, B737 and the classic 747 as ended his BA career on the 744. He then joined Singapore Airlines before finally hanging up his wings in 2008 to bring Flight experience to Singapore . 

He and I met when I was cabin crew based at Manchester . I had had a varied airline career with posts in marketing, sales, training and flying with BA before retiring to start a family. 

We moved to Singapore in 2006. 

WoA: How did you and Michael hear about the franchise opportunity and what attracted you to become a franchisee? 

FE: Whilst visiting family in Sydney, Australia in 2007 Michael saw the franchise being set up there and knew straight away it would be a new and exciting addition to Singapore's varied and innovative attractions. We were keen to share their passion for aviation with others. 

WoA: What are the most common flights, particularly for pilots? 

FE: We tailor build each package for every individual - everyone is different - some people don't care about the destination and just want to be in control of a jet airliner, others want to see landmarks and monuments they have never had the chance to visit, others want to test their skills at challenging airports such as Paro and of course, Kai Tak. 

We have over 20,000 airports so the choice is yours! 

WoA: How realistic is the sim from a pilot's point of view? 

The initial attraction for Michael was how amazingly accurate the sim was - after spending 35 years + in aviation and completing more than 100 sim checks - he really knows how realistic the FE simulator is. 

WoA: Do experienced pilots fly solo or is a sim-qualified instructor required? 

FE: We have an amazing team of instructors - all of them are ATPL - and we always have an instructor in the flight deck for all flights, but if you want to be in control it's no problem - we're also happy to take a back seat while you pilot the aircraft alongside a friend as your first officer. 

WoA: Can a pilot count the sim time toward his/her official log book? 

FE: At present the Simulator is approved by CASA as a Synthetic Flight Training Device to Category B Standard under the FSD2 regulations. It is also certified in NZ. Pilots can count up to 20 hours for Initial Instrument Rating as well as recency and renewal for NDB, VOR & ILS approaches. This only applies to Flight Experience simulators located in Australia and NZ. We are currently seeking approval with the CAAS for approval in Singapore . 

WoA: What is the TBO for the sim and if it has already undergone an overhaul, how did it fare? 

FE: We have a 6 monthly maintenance visit. It’s then that it always feels like a new toy! 

WoA: What are the prices and do WOA members qualify for any special promotions? 

We have a variety of packages staring at $155 for 30 minutes but WOA members get 10% off any package on production of their ClubWOA ID. 

WoA: How can WOA members learn more and sign up for a flight? 

FE: For more information check out our website www.flightexperience.com.sg or call our office 1800 737 0800 1800 737 0800 ..don't forget to mention you're a WOA member at time of booking.