Flying Club: All the facts

Join the Flying Club and learn to fly the simulator solo!  Once trained, you’ll fly without the aid, or presence, of a Flight Experience Instructor. You’ll be able to fly your friends, family or work colleagues to over 24,000 destinations around the world.

You will be trained in all aspects of flying our jet simulator, following a process similar to gaining a real pilots licence – for a fraction of the cost!

Gain Licence One, which permits you to conduct take-offs and landings, in approximately five hours.

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• How do I join?
  
• Lessons, Licences and Endorsements
• How much does it cost?
  
• What are the benefits?
  
• Frequently Asked Questions

How do I join?

Enrolment is easy! Simply join by purchasing a Flying Club Membership from any participating Flight Experience store.

Enrolment can be done by internet, phone or at a Flight Experience store. Upon enrolling you will receive your Flying Club Logbook and Training Manual. Booking lessons can be done at any time that suits the Club Member.

Lessons, Licences and Endorsements

There are two licences available. Also available with each licence are various optional endorsements (add-ons). Each licence and endorsement permits members to accomplish extra flight duties, and eventually operate the simulator for both circuits and sectors, including simulator start up and programming, without Instructor supervision. Note: You must complete Licence 1 before Licence 2.

Licence One

Once approved, you will be capable of flying Circuits. This enables members to taxi, take-off, fly circuits and land at airports in cities anywhere in the world that is capable of operating the B737. This is great for sightseeing and honing your skills.
Time required: Approximately 4-5 hours of training and a 45 minute test flight

Licence Two

Once approved, you will be capable of flying Sectors. This enables members to fly a City-to City sector flight solo, using the replica Boeing 737 Navigation system and automation. This is the ultimate way to be the captain of a typical airline flight.
Time required: Approximately 4-5 hours of training and a 45 minute test flight

Pre-flight Endorsement

Members may elect to gain a Pre-flight Endorsement at any time during their training. This is mandatory for Licence Two, but may be completed before, during or after Licence One. The Pre-flight Endorsement involves pre-flight, engine start-up and shutdown procedures from a COLD STATE, including how to programme the FMC (Flight Management Computer).
  Time required: Approximately 2-3 hours of training and a 30 minute test flight

How much does it cost?

Membership Packages

Flying Club Membership - $359.00

• One Hour Lesson
• Flying Club Training Manual and Log
• Boeing 737 Wings Pin
• Boeing 737 decal
• Club Membership ID and Boeing 737 Lanyard
• Flight Experience Flying Club Cap

Total Value $463.00 (Save $104.00)

Flying Club Pre-Pay Membership - $995.00

• Four x One Hour Lesson
• Flying Club Training Manual and Log
• Boeing 737 Wings Pin
• Boeing 737 decal
• Club Membership ID and Boeing 737 Lanyard
• Flight Experience Flying Club Cap

Total Value $1288.00 (Save $293.00)

Do I qualify for special rates once I become a member?

Yes, you can choose to purchase one hour at a time or buy in bulk as follows:

•  One hour lessons or solo simulator hire - $250.00 (Save $25.00 per hour)
•  Four x One Hour Lessons or solo simulator hire - $899.00 (Save $50 per hour)

What are the benefits?

As noted above special simulator rates are offered to Flying Club Members. Other benefits include: -

• Personalised photo licence ID upon completion of Licence one
• Flight Experience Flying Club ‘Wings’ on completion of Licence One
• Permission to use participating Flight Experience simulators internationally
• Member-only events
• Discounted aviation merchandise
• Special pricing on souvenir DVD’s and photos
• Up to three friends fly at no extra charge

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How difficult is it to learn to fly the simulator?
Everyone has a different level of learning, but our training and our Instructors are very thorough (and patient). The estimated time to attain licences and endorsements is for the average person without aviation knowledge or experience.

2. Do I need any aviation experience?
No. This course is designed for anyone who is willing to learn and you simply need to apply yourself. Of course aviation experience may assist you with terminology, but only airline pilots will have flown a Boeing 737, so regular Private (PPL) and Commercial (CPL) pilots would still have to learn the procedures of flying a B737.

3. How many hours will it take me?
We have estimated between 4-5 hours per licence and 3-5 hours for the Pre-flight endorsement. Times may vary due to individual learning abilities, and although we can’t make any guarantees, we have found most people fall within these times.

4. Will I have the same Instructor each time?
Generally we try to allocate the same Instructor but this is not always possible. At the time of enrolment we discuss your availability and try to match this with a suitable Instructor.

5. Is the Instructor a pilot.
Yes. All our Flying Club Instructors are licensed pilots. Some may be real-world flying instructors or even airline pilots.

6. If I am a real-world pilot, can I log the simulator time.
No, even though we are CAA (NZ) and CASA (Aust) approved for Instrument Recency you cannot log Flying Club time. You can however, use separate time with one of our approved CASA staff to log time if you have an Instrument Rating. (CASA Procedures differ from Flying Club lessons.)

7. Will simulator time be recognised towards a ‘real-world’ pilots licence?
No, but it will help you prepare for real flight training.

8. What if I don’t like my Instructor?
If you feel you would prefer a different Instructor, simply raise this with our Manager and another one will be arranged for future lessons.

9. What do I get at the end of my training?

• Personalised photo licence ID upon completion of Licence one
• Flight Experience Flying Club ‘Wings’ on completion of Licence One
• Permission to use participating Flight Experience simulators internationally
• Member-only events
• Discounted aviation merchandise
• Special pricing on souvenir DVD’s and photos
• Up to three friends fly at no extra charge

10. How do I book my lessons?
Simply call the relevant store and quote you voucher number and advise them it is a Flying Club voucher. Our booking system shows all your information and you just need to work out a time that suits you and your Instructor. This may require our staff liaising with the Instructor and calling or emailing you later.

11. Can I fly other Flight Experience simulators?
Yes. All Flight Experiences are franchised businesses and therefore privately-owned. Most have elected to participate in the Flying Club programme. Currently these include; Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Singapore, Kuwait and Paris. Hong Kong is currently not participating.

12. Can I transfer my membership and training if I move to another city?
Yes. All participating Flight Experience stores have a reciprocal arrangement to take care of Flight Experience Customers.

13. Can I cancel if I don’t enjoy it or don’t wish to continue?
Yes, you can cancel at anytime. If you have outstanding vouchers for lessons or simulator time you will be refunded in full for all but one hour of advanced purchases. ie If you have 3 hours outstanding you will receive 2 hours refund.

14. Can I transfer my unused hours to another person?
Hours are not transferable to the general public unless an upgrade is paid to the normal price. At the discretion of individual Store Managers, Flying Club Members may be permitted to transfer vouchers between one another. Please notify the store of your intention before transferring the voucher.