SIMSA Virtual Aviation

SIMSA Virtual Aviation Club

Simulator South Africa

Established in 2008, SIMSA quickly became one of South Africa’s Virtual Aviation success stories, with a dedicated following and a continually evolving challenge for member-aviators during the monthly fly-in, making this club a recognised and benchmarked entity in South African Virtual Aviation.

Founder members Mauri Mazzanti, Mark Boucher and Steve Schwartz established a fun based platform for the club, which has ensured members’ social interaction woven around aviation matters. Determined to not become yet another web-based flying club where members hardly get to know one another, SIMSA promotes direct contact between its pilots due to a same-room policy. This enures younger pilots learn directly from experienced aviators and shared challenges are met with shared abilities in a common environment. The club thus invites virtual aviators from all levels to visit for a free trial event, and hopefully thereafter join as a club member, as the diversity of the club remains one of its strongest assets.

With degrees of grading associated with the aviation world, but not unlike many sports clubs, SIMSA grading takes place periodically, where sim-pilots are evaluated according to preset criteria, thus initially earning their wings and thereafter progressively improving until Senior Sim-Pilot level is attained.

SIMSA Pic 3A

Utilising MSFS2004 only, predominantly with Windows XP SP3, together with TeamSpeak, SIMSA LAN sessions are monthly events (third Saturday every month from 13h30 onwards) held in the clubhouse located in the Protea OR Tambo Hotel (Aviation-theme) opposite the Airbus A380s at Johannesburg International Airport O R Tambo and alongside the Comair / Kulula / British Airways office / Boeing 737- simulator building. These sessions require members to arrive with their computer, a network cable, a headset, their preferred controller such as joystick or yoke / pedal / throttle kit, and their own original version of MSFS2004. TeamSpeak is set up so that an active Air Traffic Control (ATC) facility can be effectively utilised as a major part of the day’s challenge. Radio procedures are introduced and become a much lauded part of the event. Typically, a challenge is introduced on the day by means of a briefing, where Jeppeson-type charts and maps are provided, and the procedures explained, after which all the fun starts with the actual flying. One Saturday afternoon per month is what it takes.

While SIMSA makes freely available downloaded additional aircraft and scenery packages available, it is strongly advisable to not deviate too far from the default settings on MSFS2004 for these collective sessions, as commonality allows the system to function well. For all pilots to enjoy the benefits of enhanced South African scenery as well as some favourite aircraft models, additional packs are provided by SIMSA in order to enable landmarks, ILS, VOR and NDB navigation points, views, approaches and aerobatic challenges to be a source of enjoyment for all pilots. Any additional software owned and used by individual pilots must be licensed and is run at entirely own risk at fly-in.

SIMSA Pic 6A

In addition, members are also able to make use of the foyer-based simulator installed at the clubhouse. This is a dual-control simulator, loosely based on a Boeing 737 cockpit layout, which has a surround-view for outside-the-window scenery and two control panels for both Captain and First Officer stations. As this simulator is owned by Protea Hotels, the proviso is that the SIMSA-built unit may be used by members when not being expressly used by the hotel. For a really interesting experience, members are invited to partake in a flight using this simulator, alongside one of the founder members, for full and maximum effect to be enjoyed.

Special events include flying the Boeing 747-400 simulator at JHB Int ORT, a rare and special experience for anyone interested in aviation in any form.

Strongly affiliated to the South African Airways Museum Society (SAAMS) based at Rand Airport, SIMSA also partakes in some of the “Aviation Heritage” events held at the museum's premises. These include the annual Rand Airport Air Show, which has become synonymous with piston-powered aircraft and attracts many JHB based aviation enthusiasts. SIMSA then demonstrates a typical LAN session including ATC, and offers flight controls to visitors so the experience may be shared amongst budding aviators.

SIMSA Pic 7A

Special Promotional events are also part of the SIMSA road-show, with Virtual DestinationZ (mobile simulator for air shows and special promotions), The Outdoor Show, Rand Airport air show, etc., being a part of the club’s additional activity list. An affiliation with The Aviation Shop is also in existence. The founders may be approached on any one of these events.

Future prospects for the club include training for young Pilots and Air Traffic Controllers, and bringing the fun and friendly aspects of aviation to many aviation enthusiasts. Thus the club continues to grow and develop as many members join because of the common love of all things with wings!

SIMSA Pic 4A

The SIMSA Founders: Mauri Mazzanti, Steve Schwartz, Mark Boucher

Mauri Mazzanti – 072 606 6499
Steve Schwartz - 072 644 0447
Mark Boucher - 082 370 7575

www.simsa.co.za
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it