Ascentaviation Reviews 3

I've just returned from my first experience at Ascent Aviation on the 737NG and what an amazing experience it was. My daughted booked me in for a 30 minute session as a father's day treat.
When you first arrive, the building looks quite industrial but the moment you walk into Ascents area your greeted with runway style floor markings which sets you up for the experience from that moment.
Everyone is so friendly it settles you right in and it feels like your chatting to old pals.
The pilot for my session was Angus and he was fantastic and very patient answering my many questions. When you walk along the corridor and open the door it's a "WOW" moment. Nothing prepared me for the level of realism and attention to detail. I went alone but there's ample seating to take someone along.
Taking photos was not an issue either and, trust me, you'll want to take photos.
I didn't expect to be able to do much in 30 minutes but I was wrong, I experienced take off from Glasgow, Angus then got me to change course, hold altitude and then set me up for a landing at Tenerife South.
You get to select where in the world you leave and arrive but I selected a route that I'd travelled dozens of times from the back row and it was amazing to see it from "up front".
Angus talked me through the landing procedure and explained, in detail, everything he was doing and what he wanted me to do.
What amazed me was how compact the cabin is, how heavy the yoke is to pull back but mainly how quickly and violently the trim wheels spun right next to my knee.
I can't thank Angus and the team enough and I've now found my chosen birthday and Christmas treat and can't wait to get back.
I had asked when I arrived if the slot after me was booked because I thought I'd extend it no an hour but I'm glad now it was booked. Maybe because I'm 65 My half hour session drained me lol...the level of focus, information and sensory overload takes its toll so my advice is that 30 minutes is the perfect introductory session but, be warned, it is addictive.
Sorry for the lengthy review but it was such and amazing experience from start to finish, I wanted to do it justice.
Without doubt one of my best experiences so far.
Thanks again to the team, I highly recommend booking Ascent Aviation, you won't be disappointed.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Sam and the team for providing me with the 737 simulator experience. Something I could only dream of when many years ago.37 to be precise.I was an aircraft refueler for ESSO at Glasgow airport. This was the start of a fascinating in site to the industry most of us would never be able to experience and could only dream about. Roll on PC flight simulation a flying lesson at Prestwick and Sam at Ascent, Dreams come true lol.
Highly recommend the experience from a very knowledgeable instructor with bags of patience. Learnt more in the hour and half experience than many years using Flight sim. Onwards and upwards Ascent Aviation

This is my third visit to Ascent Aviation where I was fortunate enough to trial the 3rd simulator with my son Gary Jnr, Scotland’s first and only the C152 VR Ground Training Device (C152VRGTD).
Again, on arrival I was welcomed by the lovely Emma Gordon who introduced me to my Instructor Steve Slater. After some chit chat Steve took us to the briefing room to talk about the new C152 concept and what to expect when we go into the VR room (as I will name it LOL)
On entering the VR room, I was introduced to the man himself David Boyle (the boss & owner) who again gave me a detailed insight on what has been achieved so far and what has still to be done in the very near future, with a lot of money being invested into a new state of the art headset (the ones used by NASA) which sounds awesome. Also, a new C152 yoke has been ordered which again with the force feel of the real aircraft itself will be a great addition to this simulator. My first impression of the room was it was decorated (painted) and furnished to a very high standard with refreshments and as much jammie dodgers and sweets you can eat (all I needed).
David and Steve gave a detailed white board briefing on flying the Glasgow (EGPF) circuit departing runway 05.
My son had offered that I go first so I could make a fool of myself, and he would learn from my mistakes. I got comfortable in the chair and Steve went through the flight controls with me.
I departed Glasgow and managed three circuits then up to 5000ft for some stalls, spins and recovery. Steve managed to throw in an engine failure and asked me to pick a field (arghhh), which let’s just say we will leave it at that.
My son was next to give it a go and again with the same manoeuvres really enjoyed the experience from start to finish.
Overall, I was very impressed with the C152 VR setup and configuration which will only get better in the near future with the investment which is being put into it allowing some of the upgrades already mentioned in this review. Another great addition is you will be able to fly the whole Private Pilots Licence (PPL) syllabus over a period of time gaining vast experience for little price.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank David and his team for providing these simulator experiences which most of us would never be able to experience and would only dream.
I look forward to seeing you all in the very near future!!!

Gary McFarlane