Airbus Flightsimulator | Flying Experience | adults&children

Take the captain’s seat for once. This Oberhausen experience puts you inside a realistic Airbus A320 cockpit, where you can operate controls, choose airports, and handle changing weather under a flight instructor’s guidance. I like the true-to-life instruments and soundscapes, and I like that a private group of up to four can share the session. The main consideration is time: the booking information lists 30 minutes to one hour, while the detailed program describes 60 minutes of flying plus a briefing, so confirm your exact slot before paying.

The experience works for curious beginners, aviation fans, and aspiring pilots. A professional female pilot adjusted the session to one participant’s existing knowledge and planned a Cologne to Düsseldorf route with him, while three companions watched from the cockpit. That tells me this is not a rigid button-pushing show. Still, the value depends on how much hands-on time each person receives, especially when four people share the private booking.

Key points to know before booking

• A real Airbus A320 cockpit replica: Explore authentic-looking instruments and operate the aircraft’s controls in a setting built to feel like the real thing.
• Guided by a flight instructor: You receive an introduction to basic flying concepts before taking off, with German and English available.
• Choose airports around the world: Set your departure and arrival points, including the praised Cologne to Düsseldorf route.
• Weather and emergency practice: Try different weather conditions, flight maneuvers, and unforeseen situations in a controlled setting.
• Private group value: The $117 rate covers up to four people, making it more attractive when shared by a family or small group.
• Simple Centro Oberhausen arrival: Free parking is available in unmarked spaces, and the lobby is upstairs near a FLIGHTHOUR bell.

Taking the captain’s seat at Centro Oberhausen

This is not a motionless computer game with a joystick on a desk. The experience uses a realistic replica of an Airbus A320, complete with instruments and soundscapes modeled on the original aircraft. As you settle into the cockpit, the setup is meant to make you wonder if the simulator is moving.

That physical impression matters. An A320 cockpit is a busy place, filled with screens, switches, controls, and procedures. You are not expected to know what everything does. The instructor introduces the basic ideas of flying and guides you through the parts that matter for your chosen flight.

The simulator is at Centro Oberhausen in northern Germany. On arrival, use the free parking in unmarked spaces. Additional parking can be found around the corner under the bridge. The lobby is on the first floor, up the stairs on the left. If the door is locked, ring the bell marked FLIGHTHOUR.

This arrival information is more useful than it may sound. The meeting point is not described as a prominent street-front attraction, so allow a few extra minutes to find the entrance and get upstairs. If you have mobility concerns, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, but you may still want to confirm the exact route into the lobby when arranging your appointment.

The 15-minute briefing makes the controls less intimidating

The session begins with a briefing of about 15 minutes. This is the part that keeps the experience from becoming a confusing cockpit scavenger hunt. Your flight instructor introduces basic flying concepts, explains the controls, and prepares you for takeoff.

I especially like the flexible approach described by the participant who flew from Cologne to Düsseldorf. The professional pilot asked about his existing knowledge, then planned the route around it. That is a good sign for both newcomers and aviation enthusiasts. A first-timer should receive enough explanation to follow along, while someone with flight experience may get a more demanding session.

The briefing is also the time to say what you want from the hour. If your priority is takeoff and landing, make that clear. If you are more interested in cruise procedures, weather, or emergencies, ask how the instructor can fit those elements into the flight.

You should not expect a full pilot-training course in one appointment. The briefing gives you a working introduction, not a professional qualification. Its value is that it turns the simulator into an interactive lesson rather than a passive cockpit tour.

Choosing a route from Cologne to airports worldwide

One of the best features is the ability to choose your departure and arrival airports from locations around the world. That gives the session a personal focus. You might pick a familiar airport, test a route you have flown as a passenger, or choose two places simply because the flight sounds interesting.

The Cologne to Düsseldorf route is a particularly useful example. It creates a recognizable short flight and gives the instructor a clear route to plan with you. If you already know German airports, this choice may make the controls feel less abstract. If you are new to flying, the instructor can use the route to explain how a flight moves from preparation to takeoff, cruise, and landing.

The exact airport menu is not provided, so do not assume every airport is available. Ask when booking if you have a particular route in mind. The ability to choose airports adds real value, but only when the selected location fits the simulator’s available scenery and the time allowed.

A private group of up to four can also watch the route unfold. That works well for a family or a small birthday group. One person may take the main controls while the others follow the decisions, instruments, and sound cues from the cockpit. The tradeoff is simple: more people means less individual flying time unless the instructor actively shares the controls.

Takeoff, cruise, and landing in an A320

The flying portion includes takeoffs, landings, and cruise. These three phases feel different, and each gives you a useful reason to pay attention.

Takeoff is likely to be the most dramatic moment for a first-time participant. You work through the basic sequence with the instructor and feel the aircraft respond as it leaves the runway. The cockpit sounds and instrument displays help connect each action to the aircraft’s operation.

Cruise may seem less exciting at first, but it gives the instructor room to explain what happens after takeoff. You can operate controls, monitor the flight, and try maneuvers under guidance. This is where you begin to understand that flying an airliner involves constant attention to systems and conditions, not simply pointing the nose upward.

Landing is usually the most demanding part for beginners. The instructor can guide you as you approach the runway and manage the final descent. Even with help, you may discover why pilots spend so much time practicing this phase. If you are sharing the session, ask how the instructor divides takeoffs and landings so each participant gets a fair turn.

The program also includes a debriefing after the flight. This gives you a chance to go over what happened, ask questions, and put the flight into context. Since no recording is included, the debrief is your main way to review the experience once you leave.

Weather scenarios and emergencies add useful pressure

The simulator can present different weather scenarios and emergency situations. These conditions make the session more than a polished flight around a clear virtual sky. You can see how changing circumstances affect decisions and procedures while the instructor remains beside you.

The emergency element should be understood as a learning challenge, not a promise of theatrical action. The available scenarios are not specified, so ask the instructor what can be included during your appointment. You may be able to prepare for an unforeseen situation, but the selection will depend on the instructor, the aircraft setup, and the time available.

For many people, this is the most valuable part of the experience. Normal flying can make the cockpit look manageable. Weather changes and unexpected problems show how pilots use instruments, checklists, communication, and calm judgment. You are not simply trying to keep the aircraft in the air. You are learning how a professional responds when the simple plan changes.

If you are visiting with children, the instructor can keep the session at an accessible level. The information specifically presents the activity for adults and children, and one booking allowed an adult to watch a teenage grandson being guided through the program. That arrangement was appreciated by the family, so a younger participant does not need to be the only person in the room to enjoy it.

How much time you really get for $117

The listed price is $117 per group of up to four people. Viewed per person, that is excellent value for four participants. At full capacity, it works out to about $29.25 each, before any currency or booking differences. For a family or small group, the private format is a strong point.

For one or two people, the price is less of a bargain on a per-person basis, but the private setting still has value. You are not placed with strangers, and the instructor can adapt the explanation to your skill level. That personal attention was a major strength in the Cologne to Düsseldorf session.

The timing needs a careful check. The general duration is given as 30 minutes to one hour, while the included program specifies a briefing of about 15 minutes, 60 minutes of flying, and a debriefing. The detailed description also says 60 minutes of flying with takeoffs, landings, and cruise. These figures do not line up perfectly, so confirm whether your chosen booking includes a full 60-minute flight or a shorter format.

Recording is not included. If you want a souvenir, you will need to ask if any recording option can be added, but do not count on it unless confirmed. The activity’s main product is the hands-on cockpit time, not a video package.

Who will get the most from this cockpit session

This is a good choice for someone who has always wanted to see what happens behind the cockpit door. You do not need to be a pilot, and the briefing is designed to introduce the basics. The instructor’s role also means you are not left to work out the controls alone.

It suits aviation fans particularly well because the A320 setup uses original-style instruments and soundscapes. If you enjoy aircraft systems, airport routes, and the logic behind flight operations, you will have plenty to watch and ask about.

Families can make good use of the private group format. A child or teenager can take the main role while adults watch, or participants can share different parts of the flight. The direct family feedback about a teenage grandson suggests that younger people can take part successfully when the instructor sets the right pace.

It also suits adults who want a memorable gift or a fresh kind of group activity. The experience is more focused than a standard sightseeing stop and does not require physical exertion. Since it is indoors and wheelchair accessible, it can fit into a day at Centro Oberhausen without depending on outdoor weather.

I would be more cautious if you expect certified pilot training, extensive technical instruction, or a long independent flight with little guidance. This is a guided experience, and the short format limits how much of an A320’s systems you can study.

Language, group size, and practical planning

Instruction is available in German and English. If you book in English, mention that when arranging the appointment by email or phone. The provider asks you to make an appointment after getting your tickets, so do not treat the ticket purchase as the final scheduling step.

The booking is for a private group. That is important for comfort and learning, but it also creates a time-sharing question. With four people, decide in advance who most wants to fly and who is happy to watch. The activity description says you can explore the cockpit and operate the various controls, but it does not promise equal control time for every person.

The experience includes the briefing, flying, and debriefing. It does not include a recording. German and English support, wheelchair access, and free parking make the logistics fairly straightforward, but the upstairs lobby and locked-door instructions are worth noting.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. That flexibility is useful if your Oberhausen plans are still taking shape. Still, the appointment itself matters, so contact FLIGHTHOUR promptly after receiving your tickets.

My verdict on the FLIGHTHOUR A320 experience

Book this if you want hands-on cockpit time, a private group setting, and an instructor who can adjust the session to your level. The A320 replica, original-style sounds, airport choices, weather conditions, and emergency practice give the experience more substance than a quick photo opportunity.

I would book it especially for a family with an aviation-minded teenager, a small group of friends, or an adult who wants to test the pilot’s seat without committing to formal training. The $117 group price is strongest when four people share it.

Before booking, confirm the exact duration, ask about your preferred airports, and check how the instructor divides the controls among your group. If you want a recording, ask about that too, since it is not included. With those points settled, this is a practical and entertaining way to spend an hour at Centro Oberhausen, with enough real procedure to make the captain’s hat feel briefly deserved.

FAQ

Where is the Airbus A320 simulator located?

The simulator is at Centro Oberhausen in northern Germany. Free parking is available in unmarked spaces, with additional parking around the corner under the bridge. The lobby is on the first floor, up the stairs on the left.

How long does the experience last?

The general duration is listed as 30 minutes to one hour. The detailed program includes a briefing of about 15 minutes, 60 minutes of flying, and a debriefing, so confirm the exact duration of your selected appointment.

How many people can join?

This is a private group experience for up to four people. The information does not specify how control time is divided, so ask the instructor or provider when arranging your appointment.

Is the experience available in English?

Yes. The instructor support is available in German and English.

Can children take part?

Yes. The experience is offered for adults and children. A briefing introduces the basic concepts of flying, and a teenage participant was guided through the program while family members watched.

Is a recording included?

No. Recording is not included in the experience.