Airbus Flightsimulator | Flying Experience | adults&children

The most striking part of this Oberhausen experience is the full Airbus A320 cockpit. You do not simply sit in an airline-style cabin and watch a screen. You explore the flight deck, work the controls, and follow a flight plan from takeoff to landing while original-style instruments and sound effects create a convincing sense of motion.

I like the chance to choose airports around the world for departure and arrival, and I like that an instructor adjusts the briefing to your level. The private format also works well for a family or small group, since up to four people can share the session. The main consideration is time: the flight itself is described as 60 minutes, but the overall experience is listed as 30 minutes to one hour, so confirm the exact schedule when booking.

Key points

• A real A320 cockpit layout: Explore the flight deck and operate controls modeled on the Airbus aircraft.
• Takeoffs, cruise, and landings: The flying portion focuses on the parts most people want to try, not just a short demonstration.
• Airports around the world: Choose different departure and arrival airports for your route.
• Weather and emergency scenarios: Practice handling changing conditions and unexpected situations with an instructor guiding you.
• Private group for up to four: Share the cockpit with family or friends rather than flying with strangers.
• German and English instruction: You can request guidance in either language.

Taking the Captain’s Seat at Oberhausen Centro

FLIGHTHOUR is located at Centro Oberhausen, in northern Germany. The meeting point has free parking in unmarked spaces, with more parking 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.

The setting is practical rather than grand, but that is not the reason to book this activity. You are here to get into the cockpit quickly and start learning how the airplane works. The private format means the experience is arranged for your own group of up to four people, which makes the session feel more personal than a shared attraction with a large audience.

This setup is especially useful for families. One person can take the pilot’s seat while others watch from the cockpit, then switch roles if the instructor allows it. A January 2026 booking specifically noted that grandparents could watch their teenage grandson being guided through the program. That makes this a good choice when not everyone in your party wants to handle the controls.

The location at Centro also makes the activity easy to pair with other plans in Oberhausen. Still, allow time to find the correct entrance, since the lobby is upstairs and the parking spaces are not marked.

The 15-Minute Briefing Before Takeoff

The session begins with a briefing of about 15 minutes. This is not filler. An instructor introduces the basic concepts of flying and explains enough of the Airbus systems for you to understand what you are doing once the simulator starts.

You can expect to learn about the main controls and the basic sequence of a flight. The team helps with flight preparation before moving into takeoff, cruise, and landing. If you already know something about aviation, the briefing can be adjusted to your level. One booking described a professional female pilot discussing the participant’s prior knowledge, then planning the route from Cologne to Düsseldorf together.

That detail matters. Many flight simulators give every visitor the same script, no matter if they are a complete beginner or an experienced aviation fan. Here, you should tell the instructor what you already know and what you want from the session. A beginner may need more help with the basics, while an aviation enthusiast may want more time with procedures and cockpit controls.

The briefing also helps younger participants. Children can enjoy sitting in the cockpit, but the controls and terminology may initially feel complex. A clear introduction gives them a way into the experience instead of leaving them to stare at a wall of switches.

Flying an Airbus A320, Not Just Watching One

The simulator is built as a realistic replica of an Airbus A320. Its instruments and soundscapes are designed to match the original aircraft, giving you the look and feel of an airline flight deck.

The goal is not to turn a first-time visitor into a qualified pilot in an hour. It is to show you how much work goes into a normal flight and let you take part under guidance. You operate the controls, follow instructions, and manage the aircraft through several stages of flight.

The most engaging part for many people will be the physical cockpit. An A320 flight deck contains a large number of displays, controls, and systems, so the simulator gives you something meaningful to do at every stage. You are not merely pressing a takeoff button. You are learning how the aircraft responds and how the pilot must keep track of several tasks at once.

The simulator can also create the impression that it is moving. The experience description notes that many people ask if the simulator is really in motion once they sit down. You should understand this as a realistic sensory effect rather than a promise of a full amusement-park ride. The sound, visual scene, and aircraft response work together to make the flight feel convincing.

Choosing Your Route From Airport to Airport

You can choose to start and land at different airports around the world. This is one of the best features for repeat visits or for a group with a particular destination in mind.

A short route between Cologne and Düsseldorf was used in one guided session, giving the participant a clear plan from departure to arrival. You can discuss your preferred route with the instructor before flying. The final choice may depend on the available simulator program and the time booked, so treat airport selection as an option to discuss rather than a guarantee for every possible airport.

The route choice adds purpose to the session. A takeoff from one airport and landing at another gives you a proper beginning, middle, and end. You can compare the preparation for departure with the workload involved in approach and landing.

For first-time pilots, a familiar airport may be easier to understand. For aviation fans, a more challenging airport setting may make the experience more interesting. Ask about this during the briefing, especially if you want to focus on landing rather than spending most of the time in cruise.

Weather Scenarios and Emergency Practice

Normal flying is only part of the session. The simulator can present different weather scenarios and emergency situations, allowing you to see how pilots respond when a flight does not go exactly as planned.

This is where the activity becomes more than a novelty cockpit. You get a sense of why airline pilots train repeatedly for unusual events. The instructor can introduce challenges in a controlled setting and help you work through them instead of leaving you to guess.

You should not expect every possible emergency to be covered in one session. The exact scenarios depend on the instructor, the chosen route, and the time available. The important point is that the simulator is set up for more than routine takeoffs and landings.

Weather changes can also make the flight feel less predictable. A smooth departure followed by a difficult approach gives you a better idea of how conditions affect the pilot’s workload. If you want to try a particular scenario, ask before the flight begins so the instructor can explain what is possible.

Sharing the Cockpit With Three Other People

The booking is for a private group of up to four people, with the price listed at $117 per group. That works out to about $29.25 per person if four people attend, before any currency conversion or booking fees. For a solo participant, the same group price offers less value, so this activity makes the most financial sense when shared.

The group size also affects how much flying time each person gets. The information describes 60 minutes of flying, including takeoffs, landings, and cruise, but that time is shared if several people take turns. Four people will have a social experience and plenty to watch, but each person may have less time at the controls.

For a family, this tradeoff is often worthwhile. The person flying gets the main role, while the others can watch the cockpit procedure and follow the route. The experience has been arranged so companions can observe, not just wait outside.

If your main goal is extended individual practice, ask how the control time is divided before booking. If your goal is a memorable group activity, the private format is a strong advantage.

What the Price Delivers

At $117 for up to four people, the price is reasonable for a private cockpit session, especially when the group is full. You are paying for guided use of a specialized Airbus simulator rather than a brief photo opportunity.

The value comes from several parts working together:

• A realistic A320 cockpit with original-style instruments
• Instructor-led preparation and flight guidance
• Takeoffs, cruise, and landings
• Airport selection
• Weather scenarios and emergency situations
• A private group booking

The price is less attractive for one person because the cost does not appear to be reduced for a smaller group. It is also worth checking the exact duration. The general duration is listed as 30 minutes to one hour, while the detailed information specifies 60 minutes of flying plus a briefing and debriefing. The longer format offers better value, particularly for a group that wants everyone to participate.

Recording is not included. If you want a video or souvenir footage, you should not assume it will be available as part of the booking.

Language, Access, and Family Suitability

Instruction is available in German and English. That gives international visitors a practical choice, though you should select or request your preferred language in advance if it matters to your group.

The activity is wheelchair accessible. The lobby is on the first floor and reached by stairs according to the meeting instructions, so it is sensible to confirm the exact accessible route before arriving. The provided information confirms accessibility for the activity but does not explain the building’s lift arrangements.

Children can take part, and the private group format helps adults keep the experience comfortable for younger participants. The instructor introduces the basic ideas of flying, and the controls provide a clear focus. Still, the cockpit is complex, and a child who expects a fast ride may find the learning element more important than the sensation of motion.

I would choose this for a child who already enjoys aircraft, buttons, maps, or flight games. It is less suited to someone looking only for a simple thrill with no explanation.

The Debriefing and the End of the Flight

After the flying portion, the experience includes a debriefing. This gives you a chance to review the flight and think about the decisions made during takeoff, cruise, landing, or an emergency exercise.

A debriefing is useful because the flight can move quickly. Beginners may remember the excitement but forget why a certain control was used. The final conversation helps connect the practical actions with the basic concepts introduced at the start.

The debriefing also gives you a natural point to ask questions. If you were unsure about a display, a weather change, or a landing procedure, this is the time to ask. The supplied information does not specify how long the debriefing lasts, so the amount of discussion may vary.

Who Will Get the Most From This A320 Session?

I would recommend the activity to several kinds of visitors:

• Aviation fans: You get access to the cockpit and a closer look at how an A320 is operated.
• First-time pilots: The instructor explains the basics and guides you through the flight.
• Families: Children can fly while adults watch, and the private format keeps the group together.
• Couples and friends: Sharing a route and taking turns gives you a joint activity rather than a passive show.
• Aspiring pilots: The session offers a taste of procedures and workload, though it is not professional flight training.

The experience is also a good gift for someone who has always wanted to sit in an airline cockpit. The guided route from Cologne to Düsseldorf shows how the session can be shaped around a specific flight rather than a generic computer game.

I would hesitate to book it for someone who dislikes technical explanations, enclosed cockpit spaces, or taking turns. The activity has fun built into it, but it is still a guided learning experience.

Booking Timing and Practical Details

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the appointment for a full refund, and reserve now while paying later. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability for your chosen date.

Plan to arrive with enough time to find the unmarked parking and the correct entrance. The lobby is on the first floor, on the left up the stairs. If the door is locked, ring the FLIGHTHOUR bell.

Bring your preferred flight idea to the briefing. You may want to depart from a familiar airport, try a route between two nearby cities, or focus on weather and emergency handling. The instructor can tell you what fits the available time.

Should You Book the FLIGHTHOUR Airbus A320 Experience?

Book it if you want active participation, a realistic cockpit, and an instructor who can shape the session around your level. The strongest features are the private group arrangement, the choice of airports, and the chance to work through both routine flying and difficult situations.

The $117 group price is good value for four people, less so for one. Confirm the precise flying time and how control time will be shared if your group has several participants. Also remember that recording is not included.

For an aviation enthusiast, a family with a plane-loving child, or anyone curious about what happens behind the cockpit door, this is a thoughtful and hands-on choice in Oberhausen. You should book it for the chance to operate an A320 under guidance, not because you expect a full-motion theme-park attraction or formal pilot certification.

FAQ

Where is the Airbus flight simulator located?

The simulator is at Centro Oberhausen in northern Germany. The lobby is on the first floor, up the stairs on the left.

Is parking available?

Free parking is available in unmarked parking spaces. Additional spaces are located around the corner under the bridge.

What should I do if the entrance door is locked?

Ring the bell marked FLIGHTHOUR.

How many people can join the experience?

The activity is a private group experience for up to four people.

How long does the experience last?

The listed duration is 30 minutes to one hour. The detailed flight information describes 60 minutes of flying, including takeoff, landings, and cruise, plus a briefing and debriefing.

Is a briefing included?

Yes. The experience includes a briefing of about 15 minutes, during which an instructor explains basic flying concepts and helps prepare the flight.

Can I choose the airports?

Yes. You can choose to start and land at different airports around the world. Discuss your preferred route with the instructor during preparation.

What languages are available?

Instruction is available in German and English.

Is the experience wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. The provided meeting instructions place the lobby on the first floor, so confirm the access route when arranging your appointment.