THE JOURNEY TO OUR
NEW SIMULATOR
From Winnipeg to Phoenix — how Cali Crew built their own 737 simulator from the ground up.
Finding the Sim
During the team's founding year, we had the privilege of using Orange County 737's simulator. But in 2024, we decided it was time for Cali Crew to have a simulator of our own. After scouring options, we found it: a 737 simulator all the way up in Winnipeg, Canada.
So, on September 18th, our three founders — Shane T., Anthony G., and Hadley W. — all boarded separate flights, bound for Winnipeg with one mission in mind: to see if this could be the next simulator for the team.
Once on-site, the team inspected the simulator, assessed its condition, and quickly struck a deal with its previous owner. With the agreement in place, they dove into the detailed work of dismantling and packing it up for storage. At that point, they hadn't yet determined where the simulator would ultimately call home, so every component was carefully documented and packed for temporary storage while also being prepared for shipping once a permanent location was found.
The Move to Phoenix
Then, on October 16th, Shane and Anthony made the return journey to Winnipeg, now with a clear objective: get the simulator to its new home in Phoenix, AZ. After countless late nights of planning, Anthony's hard work on logistics paid off, and by the next day, the simulator was on a truck, bound for Phoenix.
The simulator arrived in Phoenix on October 18th, and the assembly process began. Piece by piece, the team worked meticulously to bring it back to life. A date was set, and from November 1st through the 9th, most of the Cali Crew team converged in Phoenix to tackle the build.
Assembling the simulator has been no small feat. It features a custom 27-foot wraparound projection system, including three projectors that blend to create a seamless, immersive image across the entire screen. The team installed and aligned the linear floor, complete with linked yokes to mirror the real-life controls, and painstakingly coded and configured ProSim software, along with Microsoft Flight Simulator, to synchronize perfectly with the visual system.
We're adding cutting-edge upgrades to make the experience as realistic as possible — including a top-of-the-line motorized throttle quadrant and the Sismo Solutions Alpha Center Pedestal, featuring highly functional radio and communication systems, navigation aids, and an advanced ADF module.
Stay tuned to our YouTube, Twitch, and other social media channels for videos, live streams, and much, much more as we get ready for an exciting new chapter with our 737 simulator!
THE BUILD IN PHOTOS
