A SHERFIELD resident has turned his passion for aviation into reality by transforming his double garage into a Boeing 737-800 flight simulator, offering enthusiasts the opportunity to fly to airports around the world.
Alberto Paduanelli, a 44-year-old medical devices auditor residing in Sherfield on Loddon, dedicated three years to create what he proudly claims as "the best flight simulator in the UK".
Drawing on his background in electronic engineering and a lifelong fascination with aircraft and simulators, Alberto meticulously crafted a cockpit replica inside his garage, equipped with authentic controls and immersive technology.
Alberto, who has been interested in aircraft and flight simulators since he was three, said it was always his dream to build a flight simulator at home with real controllers.
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“When I was three, my uncle who was an RAF pilot gave me a little floppy disk which was a flight simulator,” he recalled.
“It was a little game on the computer with basic graphics. But I was so fascinated. And as I grew up I was hooked onto many other simulators as the graphics developed, but it was always a joystick, or a keyboard and a mouse. I wanted more.
“Since then, my dream was to build a real, fully functional cockpit, which is no different to what you see inside a real plane.”
When Alberto moved with his family to their current home three years ago, he knew that it was time to go for his lifelong dream.
But it wasn’t easy.
“I was working on it during weekends. If I had spent eight hours for five days a week, I think I would have taken nearly a year to finish this project," he said.
"There was nobody to show me how to build it and there was no book. It was all trial and error," he explained."
Driven by his desire for a more realistic experience, Alberto embarked on a journey of trial and error, documenting his progress on a YouTube channel to share his knowledge with others.
The YouTube channel eventually grew into a small community.
Alberto got most of his parts from two big suppliers – Sismo Solutions based in Spain for majority of the electronic module and Fly By Cockpit in Portugal who provided most of the hardware.
The simulator uses real and live maps and weather conditions to offer a real-life experience.
He has also set up a cabin crew communication system so that he can speak to his wife when he is flying.
“I often call my crew, my wife Laine, to bring a coffee to the cockpit. But she always ignores my requests and never picks up my calls,” he joked.
“But she has been incredibly supportive of my project. Often my YouTube followers comment that I shouldn’t tell my wife about a big purchase I made for the module. But she always backs me and supports me.”
Now that he has finished the project, Alberto is confident of building another one from scratch because of his experience.
He said: “I have spent £130,000 on this project, but please don’t mistake that I’m a rich man. I was just spending on something I was so passionate about.
“I joke that I have bought my Christmas presents for the next 100 years!”
His dedication even garnered the attention of former British Airways and Ryanair captains, who praised his simulator's fidelity.
“I tried and checked my simulator hundreds of times, but I always wanted validation from a real pilot,” Alberto said.
“The BA captain said it exceeded his expectations. He even told me that my simulator has more modules than a real plane.”
Alberto is now even confident about flying a real 737 if a situation arrives.
What initially began as a hobby for Alberto and his two sons has now evolved into a potential business venture for the family.
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“I never started this as a business, it was always a hobby,” Alberto said.
“People started to ask if they could try this and I got an idea to make it a business. Also there is nothing like this in Basingstoke or Hampshire.
“Once I took my son to the nearest flight simulator place, but I was not impressed. The graphic was not great it was built very cheap.”
To accommodate visitors, Alberto has established a premium lounge above the garage, offering amenities such as coffee, biscuits, and entertainment options like TV, foosball and Xbox gaming.
He has also applied for planning permission to do it as a business.
To try Alberton’s flight simulator, visit his website at https://www.alpasimulation.co.uk/
You can also check his YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@alpasimulation548
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