Flight simulator at Adelaide Biplanes: Lisa learns lots above the art of flying, the safe way, in the Fleurieu Peninsula region of South Australia

The skies over Aldinga are busy as light aircraft of all types set off daily from the coastal airfield run by Adelaide Biplanes. Charter work, joy flights and a thriving flying school keep them busy on the ground and in air. Keith's already had the pleasure of a flight in their exclusive and luxurious WACO biplane and I've also been able to take in the stunning coastline through the struts of a biplane in their 1942 Tiger Moth.

If you're not sure how you'd go doing the real thing you can now have an amazingly realistic experience where you are in control in a new state of the art flight simulator without even leaving the ground. You can take the controls of your own flight from Adelaide airport to Aldinga - all under the watchful and very patient tutelage of Chief Pilot, Martyn Smith.

As we cruised over McLaren Vale at 150 knots Martyn explained how the simulator can be used to put trainee pilots under increasing pressure - but do it safely.

Martyn Smith, 'Adelaide Biplanes': "We can really add to the pilot's workload by including the air traffic controller, by failing an engine or an alternator. We can even program a high oil temperature or a low oil temperature so you can crank the workload up so that even the experienced pilots are working very hard."

After a rather bumpy landing at Aldinga I was relieved my training flight was over. It's an amazingly real experience which makes it perfect for training pilots in emergency procedures, night flying and instrument ratings. But Martyn says it also has wider applications.

Martyn Smith, 'Adelaide Biplanes': "We see there is a genuine use for this technology in the flight experience world so people that would love to fly but perhaps are a little nervous or people who have a flight simulator at home and want to go onto the next level…"

So if that's you or you just want a joy flight without leaving the ground contact Adelaide Biplanes at Aldinga Airport. The simulator is just one of their services which include scenic and aerobatic flights, a flying school, charter work and aircraft hire. If you have any further questions please email info@postcards-sa.com.au

Adelaide Biplanes
Aldinga Airfield
Colville Road
Aldinga
Ph 08 8556 5404

Published 6th June 2010