Title: A.C.E.S Flight Simulators at Mall of America
Post by: Eclipse on August 11, 2016, 09:40:49 PM
Post by: Eclipse on August 11, 2016, 09:40:49 PM
At Mall Of America last week I noticed this place: http://www.flyaces.com/simulators/surround-view-flight-simulator (http://www.flyaces.com/simulators/surround-view-flight-simulator)
It had kind of a surplus-store vibe, but seemed like it could be a cool, if expen$ive way to kill an afternoon.
The "cockpit" sits inside a 1/2 shell that surrounds the pilot to about 180° (just behind the seat).
Pilots wear a headset that looked to block out most noise, and from conversations I heard,
multiple "aircraft" could be linked together via "radio" and fly within the same simulation to work together.
The images were a tad dimmer then I would have liked considering how bright projectors are today,
and the because of that they looked at bit washed out. Not a major deal, just being critical. It appears the machines
are about 3 years old, so that could be a factor.
I did not see any motion to the rides as is inferred in at least one of the videos, if it's a part of the experience it
is either very subtle or wasn't turned on in the machines I saw.
On the very indirect route home, we stopped for a night near another Midwest icon,
and above it saw this gent making smoke swirls for no apparent reason.
+10 power up if you can figure out where this was...
It had kind of a surplus-store vibe, but seemed like it could be a cool, if expen$ive way to kill an afternoon.
The "cockpit" sits inside a 1/2 shell that surrounds the pilot to about 180° (just behind the seat).
Pilots wear a headset that looked to block out most noise, and from conversations I heard,
multiple "aircraft" could be linked together via "radio" and fly within the same simulation to work together.
The images were a tad dimmer then I would have liked considering how bright projectors are today,
and the because of that they looked at bit washed out. Not a major deal, just being critical. It appears the machines
are about 3 years old, so that could be a factor.
I did not see any motion to the rides as is inferred in at least one of the videos, if it's a part of the experience it
is either very subtle or wasn't turned on in the machines I saw.
On the very indirect route home, we stopped for a night near another Midwest icon,
and above it saw this gent making smoke swirls for no apparent reason.
+10 power up if you can figure out where this was...
Title: Re: A.C.E.S Flight Simulators at Mall of America
Post by: Eclipse on August 11, 2016, 09:44:10 PM
Post by: Eclipse on August 11, 2016, 09:44:10 PM
Not sure why the videos aren't embedding correctly, but if you click the links they work.
Title: Re: A.C.E.S Flight Simulators at Mall of America
Post by: DakRadz on August 11, 2016, 10:03:16 PM
Post by: DakRadz on August 11, 2016, 10:03:16 PM
A farmstead in Falcon Heights?
1st Lt Raduenz
1st Lt Raduenz
Title: Re: A.C.E.S Flight Simulators at Mall of America
Post by: LSThiker on August 11, 2016, 10:11:14 PM
Post by: LSThiker on August 11, 2016, 10:11:14 PM
Al Johnsons restaurant at Sister Bay, WI.
Good swedish restaurant. Did they have the goats on the roof?
Good swedish restaurant. Did they have the goats on the roof?
Title: Re: A.C.E.S Flight Simulators at Mall of America
Post by: Eclipse on August 11, 2016, 10:19:32 PM
Post by: Eclipse on August 11, 2016, 10:19:32 PM
Quote from: LSThiker on August 11, 2016, 10:11:14 PM
Al Johnsons restaurant at Sister Bay, WI.
Good swedish restaurant. Did they have the goats on the roof?
Good eye, and yes they did. The food was great too!
We snorkeled in Sister Bay across the street, I've never seen water so clear in Lake Michigan.
Title: Re: A.C.E.S Flight Simulators at Mall of America
Post by: Spaceman3750 on August 12, 2016, 02:45:22 AM
Post by: Spaceman3750 on August 12, 2016, 02:45:22 AM
Oh man, I forgot about that place. I remember seeing it there 9 or 10 years ago. I remember it being expensive then too, but then again everything is expensive when you have no money...