Fantastic Sale For MaxFlight

Cash Box International, As It Happens Newsletter, Issue #142, April 22, 2002

Promised you a big story on simulators and it just came through (5 minutes after I mailed out Issue 141)

The guts of the story is the massive 15 unit sale of MaxFlight Simulators to the Smithsonian Institute, possibly the greatest showcase for such a product in the world. Below is the official Press Release

Visitors Taking Flight with MaxFlight at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum

A squadron of 15 pulse-pounding simulators is now thrilling visitors at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC.

Visitors to the "At the Controls" gallery climb aboard a FS2000 MaxFlight Simulator and control a first-of-its-kind aerobatic ride. By piloting the two-person craft into a twisting 360-degree barrel roll or pulling back on the joystick to complete an upside-down loop, the operators can emulate legendary barnstormers or "Top Guns" during their 3-minute adventure.

MaxFlight's innovative, forward-of-the axis technology allows the simulator's sleek body to move on two different planes-pitch and roll-at the same time, while a huge, 58-inch virtual reality screen and high-tech sound effects allow for total sensory immersion 12 feet in the air. Network capabilities allow different units to compete against each other. Visitors waiting their turn can see the cockpit view projected on the wall in the gallery. Once strapped in, riders are in full control, creating any kind of ride from mild to wild, or they can choose to just sit back and enjoy the ride as the simulator takes them on a pre-programmed flight experience.

"Simulators have long been an important element in flight training," said General J.R. "Jack" Dailey, Museum Director. "By re-creating the flight experience as realistically as possible, we hope to offer a learning experience that is memorable and fun.

Simulators were first tested in the museum for a seven-month period beginning in May 2000. It was determined that the simulators could function successfully in a venue that hosts more than 10,000 visitors a day and had strong audience appeal.

While the four eight-seater simulators tested were limited to two programs, pilots can now choose from 20 available programs, including 15 inspired by the aircraft in the museum's collection. "There is no limit to the kind of software we can put in," says Frank McClintic, President and CEO of MaxFlight Corporation. "We are only restricted to the past, present, future and to the far reaches of the imagination."

Over the past two years, three new arenas for MaxFlight Simulators have emerged. Both civil aviation and military aviation have actively pursued the applications of MaxFlight for pilot training. Museums, Science Centers and Discovery Centers are discovering the stimulation of Simulation. Hands-on, interactive, immersive, cutting edge, crowd-generating full-motion action is taking the museum visitor from benign appreciation to flat-out excitement. With MaxFlight's new installation at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum, the museum visit is being revolutionized; this is maximum edutainment. Education through entertainment.

"Guests can now simulate the very freedom of flight, and the glory of the human spirit so profoundly on display at NASM," says McClintic. "The wonder of yonder is at hand, and, finally a full sensory, high-tech part of the museum experience."

In addition to the FS2000 Flight Simulator, MaxFlight also manufactures Roller Coaster, Bob Sled and Monster Truck simulators, which are found on 6 continents, in 22 countries.

Till next time -- Jack (jack@casbox.com)

Last updated: Friday, September 20, 2002 04:14:38 PM