August 7th, 2008
The FOX 4 TV Fly A Sim story is accessible on the KDFW TV website at www.myfoxdfw.com under Lone Star Adventures.
Or just click on the link below to see the story.
Thank you FOX 4 TV Anchor Richard Ray and Videographer Rick Smith for a great Fly A Sim story!
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August 7th, 2008
Climb Into The Cockpit With Fly A Sim!
DALLAS — Ever dreamed of being a pilot? Or maybe you’re just a thrill-seeker. Thanks to Carrollton-based company Fly A Sim, the cockpit is no longer off limits. Fly A Sim is one of the few organizations in the nation that provides the general public with the opportunity to fly an actual jet simulator.
The experience starts with a drive to the Flight Safety International Learning Center, a world class aviation facility, located at DFW Airport. After signing in and meeting your flight instructor, you’re led to the preflight briefing room, where you spend the next hour learning fundamental information about take-off and landing procedures. "Don’t worry about remembering all of it in an hour," said Charley Shepard, founder of Fly A Sim, "I’ll be right in there with you."
Simulators are available for the Gulfstream II jet (pictured), the Gulfstream III and the Falcon 2000. A modified version of the Gulfstream II is used by NASA to practice shuttle approaches.
Shepard has over thirty years of aviation experience working as a flight instructor and pilot for Pan American World Airways. Currently, he is a flight instructor for a Major Airline. "That’s my day job, Fly A Sim is my passion," he said.
Fly A Sim has access to three out of the sixteen jet flight simulators actually used to train pilots. "The Fly A Sim event is not an amusement ride or passive experience for you," states the official website, "Our full flight simulator offers your senses the realistic sound, motion and visuals of flying." The jet simulators rest on six legs powered by hydraulics. Inside is an exact replica of the jet’s cockpit, and outside is a screen displaying realistic terrain and weather.
Prices range from $299 for a shared experience with another customer to $699 for a full hour of individual piloting. Fly A Sim also provides team-building events for local corporations and has donated its events to charity auctions for organizations such as Habitat for Humanity. "We get husbands bringing their wives, fathers bringing their sons or daughters, companies bringing their staff. There’s a lot of variety," Shepard said.
As pilot for a day, Harvey Seslowsky asserts his control over the left side of the cockpit.
During the flight, you practice taking off and landing at different locations. Depending on your progress, the flight instructor slowly increases the degree of difficulty in terms of visibility and approach patterns. If you forget a step, the flight instructor is there with knowledge and a laser pointer to show you exactly what lever to pull or button to press. Crashing is possible, but most people get the hang of it after one mishap.
Even in this age of technology and hyper-realistic video games, it’s easy to forget that you were never actually six thousand feet above ground level. When your flight is over, you’re given time to recover. Then, after a brief photo-op, you’re presented with a Certificate of Completion, your flight pattern chart and your very own Fly A Sim hat.
Though Fly A Sim might seem as if it caters to a niche customer base, the company has had over one thousand customers since forming five years ago. In fact, "We’re thinking about expanding," said Shepard.
Photos and Story by Amy Seslowsky
ClickThe Link Below For the Full Story.
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August 5th, 2008
D Magazine will be publishing the Fly A Sim story in their upcoming September issue. Be on the look out for the September issue of D Magazine and come Fly with us!
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July 15th, 2008
We will be offering Fly A Sim events as Raffle Prizes at this year’s Alliance Air Show, at Alliance Airport in Fort Worth. The Airshow will be held on Saturday and Sunday October 11th and 12th. One highlight will be the Air Force Thunderbirds demonstrating precision aerobatic manuevers. The Fly A Sim events Raffle Prizes will be offered by the Alliance Air Show and Local Radio Stations. Stay Tuned!
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July 11th, 2008
Nonpilots Can Fly Jets with "Fly A Sim"
Offering a joy ride in a jet flight simulator is a challenging proposition according to the owners. Privately held Parameter Aviation, which does business as Carrollton-based Fly A Sim.com, spent many months obtaining approval from several government agencies. Fly A Sim offers the everyday guy or gal the chance to feel like they are flying a real jet.
Parameter Aviation, incorporated in 1997, leases multi-million simulators that are normally used for actual pilot training. The Fly A Sim event currently takes place at Flight Safety International, located near DFW Airport. The full motion, full visual and full sound simulators, certified by the FAA, give customers the thrill of being a pilot without the risk. The Fly A Sim simulator events start at $299.00 which include a preflight briefing with your instructor prior to actually flying the simulator.
"Many of our customers are ‘pilot wannabes’, guys or gals who always wanted to be a pilot or see what it is like to fly a jet airplane. Some customers are retired pilots, microsoft flight simulator pilots or radio controlled model airplane pilots. The majority have never flown an airplane at all, they have a lot fun and do very well.
The Fly A Sim event is sold by Gift Certificate, most often for Birthdays, Anniversaries, Holidays and other special ocassions. Local DFW corporations in the know provide the exciting Fly A Sim experience as a team building event and as corporate rewards for those top achievers.
This article originally appeared in the DBJ in the February 17-23, 2006 issue and has been edited and updated for accuracy.
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December 10th, 2007
Gene & Julie
103.7 Lite FM
Hi everyone! I LOVE your show!
Last year I gave the Fly A Sim to my husband for Christmas.
He is really hard to buy for and this was just the thing!
He never suspected at all!
I wrapped several boxes-each with a clue:
First: A Captain’s Hat
Second: Captain’s Bars
Third: A Toy airplane
Fourth: Directions to DFW Airport.
Fifth: The Gift Certificate itself!
He was amazed.
My husband used his certificate a few months after Christmas.
He flew as Captain along with our son Kyle as Co-Pilot.
It was awesome to see his face!
He had always wanted to fly.
This was his Dream come True!
I think I know what he wants this Christmas too!
Thanks!
Loni Harris
Hi Loni,
We’re so glad you enjoyed your experience with Fly A Sim!
They are first rate people and we think they’re terriffic too!
Happy Holidays!
Gene & Julie
Morning Show Hosts
The New 103.7 Lite FM KVIL
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May 21st, 2007
We are now offering a Once In A Lifetime Flight Experience, Smiles From Ear to Ear and those beautiful Fly A Sim caps. Call us at today 972-242-5999 or 469-438-0271.
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February 28th, 2007
You may have heard our Fly A Sim event reviewed on the Gene & Julie Morning Show on 103.7 FM. Gene actually flew our Fly A Sim simulator. Captain Gene did great. Well, his first landing was a little bumpy….but after that, it was pretty much smooth flying! Congratulations Captain Gene, and thanks for becoming a Fly A Sim flyer!
Just click the play arrow to hear what Gene & Julie had to say.
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