Aerospace Experience

Sitting in front of an aircraft's instruments changes what it means to “try a simulator.” Aerospace Experience offers guided sessions in commercial-aircraft and fighter-jet cockpits, with centers in Peterborough and Crawley near Gatwick. A visit begins with an explanation of the controls and flight plan; then the participant takes the pilot's seat and attempts takeoff, flight, and landing with an instructor's help. Introductory sessions require no previous experience.

Peterborough advertises experiences in a Boeing 737-800, a classic full-motion 737-200, and an F-4 Phantom. It is an unusual combination: an airliner's cockpit calls for managing instruments and procedures, while the fighter simulator offers a different sense of maneuvering. The center has a lounge, briefing space, and rooms for procedural training.

The Crawley center brings together Boeing 737-800, Airbus A320, and full-motion Boeing 747-400 options. The business distinguishes recreational sessions from professional-level equipment and programs for people studying aviation. That matters when choosing a gift: packages do not all offer the same controls, duration, or aircraft.

The usual structure has three stages: a briefing, entry into the cockpit, and the flight. One-on-one instruction lets a visitor without training understand the essentials before touching the controls. Published durations vary by package, from short sessions to experiences lasting two hours. Time in the simulator and the total visit are not always the same, so the chosen program deserves a close reading.

Alongside experiences for enthusiasts, Aerospace Experience advertises Future Pilot courses, airline-simulator preparation, and more advanced virtual training. It also offers open gift vouchers, generally valid for twelve months. The stated minimum age for several experiences is ten, but requirements vary by simulator; a family should choose a specific option before booking.

The two locations have different roles. Peterborough is at Unit 9, Maxwell Road, Woodston Industrial Estate, PE2 7HU; Crawley is at Unit 4, Fleming Way, RH10 9NQ. The company advertises free parking at both sites and says a bus from the Gatwick terminal serves the Crawley area. Choosing a location first avoids buying a cockpit experience available only in the other city.

The attraction lies in discovering how much happens between moving a lever and flying a complete route. A beginner may want hands-on controls with constant guidance; a serious enthusiast may care more about the cockpit and training level. Aircraft, location, and actual flight minutes are the three details that organize the choice.