Virtual flights a new path for Argosy

The Argosy is heading back to the skies - well, virtually.

Owner Paul Davidson planned to install hydraulics on each of the plane’s wheels to simulate what flights would have been like.

Hydraulic movement was the ‘‘final touch’’ in the development of virtual flights aboard the Argosy - with full meals, in-flight entertainment and cabin attendants adding to the realism.

‘‘The movement of the actual aircraft will simulate as we take off, taxi from its current position to the runway, take-off, fly to the Chathams and back again,’’ he said. ‘‘The mission is to create an experience of flying aboard the Argosy exactly as people did in the 70s and 80s.

‘‘The only simulation we can’t manage is to make the passengers’ ears pop.’’

Davidson said the introduction of motion to the flight simulation increased the experience authenticity.

‘‘There’s about 10 tonnes of weight on each of the main wheels so you can’t move those too quickly,’’ he said.

‘‘There’s not too much weight on the front wheel, and that’s where we’re hoping to do some of the more rapid movements, such as the nose up on takeoff and per- haps introduce a little bit of turbulence from time to time.’’

Allan Graham was a former captain of the Argosy ZK-SAE and flew with Safe Air from 1978 to 1991.

Graham said the virtual flight would introduce the Argosy to new audiences.

‘‘It’s very nostalgic,’’ he said. ‘‘This is the only one left in the world now.

‘‘I think the simulation offers a good insight into the workings that went on behind the scenes.’’

The announcement came as the Argosy Cafe closed indefinitely.

The former operator had left and Davidson, the business landlord, had advertised for new man- agement. Davidson said he had hoped to reopen the cafe under a new operator ‘‘as soon as possible’’.

‘‘It’s a hard business - especially in a town with a small population,’’ he said.

‘‘Most people don’t realise the back-office overheads of a cafe business.

‘‘There’s a lot of very good competition for cafes in Marlborough - unless you have good food and good service any cafe is doomed.’’

The hydraulic upgrades were planned for launch by February 1.

Morning, afternoon and evening ‘‘flights’’ would be scheduled with a variety of meal options and price points.