I Was Pilot for a Day: My Cool Flight Simulator Experience at Global Flight Adventures

Have you ever dreamed of flying a plane or becoming a pilot one day? I have…

If you have too, you’ll love reading about my flight simulator experience, where I got to learn from a real pilot and take control in a mock cockpit, whose control panel had hundreds of buttons as complex as a NASA mission. 

It was just as thrilling as flying a plane. The only difference? I didn’t actually leave the ground. 

Let me take you behind the scenes of my day as a “pilot” and share why this experience might just be what you need if you’re curious about aviation or looking for a good way to shake off your fear of flying. I’ll also share my review of Global Flight Adventures.

In this blog, I share…

Where My Passion for Flying All Started

If planes were animals, they’d be my spirit animal.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve had a fascination with aviation. Maybe it’s in my blood… 

My dad worked with Boeing, helping to build planes, my mom is a private pilot, my cousin is a commercial airline pilot, and my uncle was in the Air Force. 

So, growing up around aviation, it’s no surprise that I ended up in a high school aviation class, where I was the only girl, a label I completely owned because I loved being there. I even got to fly a Cessna from New York to Connecticut with an instructor. That experience only fueled my passion more.

Today, as a full-time traveler and travel writer, flying is a huge part of my life. I feel lucky to get to experience a taste of that thrill regularly and it’s one of my favorite things about traveling. 

But, while I genuinely love the feeling of stepping onto a plane and the rush of take offs and landings, there’s nothing like understanding how it all works: the machinery, the technical finesse, the mechanics of flight. 

So, when I got the opportunity to experience a flight simulator at Global Flight Adventures, I jumped at the chance. (Thank you mom for my birthday gift) 😉

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My Flight Simulator Experience with Global Flight Adventures

Located in Canton, Massachusetts, Global Flight Adventures, offers a range of highly immersive simulated flight experiences in single-engine Cessnas and complex airliners that go beyond a typical computer setup… perfect for certified pilots looking to sharpen skills and also for aviation buffs who want a taste of flying.

The airliner simulator I got to ‘fly’ is a detailed replica of the popular 737NG flight deck with a near realistic feel, featuring 220 degree field of view (FOV), surround sound, advanced displays, and force feedback controls.

It also had updated airport databases and real time air traffic control (ATC), which we used to recreate a real life flight experience with takeoffs, in air maneuvers, realistic weather and emergency scenarios.

However, this simulated experience isn’t exactly the same as the FAA certified simulators used by pilots to train professionally, which recreate what a real flight would be like more realistically. These set ups usually includes large scale, full motion, gimbaled setups that mimic pitch, bank, yaw, intricate, and full motion hydraulics that simulate every movement and vibration… even realistic turbulence.

While my simulator did not have all of this, it did replicate a real cockpit with all essential controls and displays a pilot would rely on during flight, giving you the feel of turns, climbs, and altitude shifts.

The best part? You can “fly” anywhere in the world, making it perfect for those wanting a realistic pilot experience without the complexity of a professional rig.

If you don’t have any experience, no worries! Your instructor will teach you how to use all the equipment.

Since I’m new to flight training, I chose to work with an instructor, but if you’re more experienced, you can also refine skills independently.

The Big Day: Stepping into the Cockpit

Stepping into the flight simulator, I was immediately blown away by how real everything looked and felt. Mine was modeled after the Boeing 737, a classic for both seasoned pilots and enthusiastic rookies like myself. 

But, this wasn’t just some video game… this was the real deal, with a cockpit fully outfitted with every button, switch, gauge, dial, throttle, displays and control lever you’d find on an actual plane. 

And once those screens around me switched on, displaying the airport runway and endless sky, I was ready for takeoff… virtually, that is. 😉

My Instructor: A Real Pilot by My Side

Global Flight Adventures pairs each “pilot” with a seasoned instructor. I enjoyed my guide, Hans, who was a perfect blend of knowledgeable and fun. 

Originally from the Netherlands, Hans has over 26,000 flying hours and experience on nearly every continent. Now an Airline Transport Pilot flying the Boeing 777, he brings advanced skills and a sense of adventure to every lesson.

I appreciated his calm, confident presence, which was really reassuring to a newbie like myself. 

From the beginning, he was very thorough, walking me through the basics of flight operations, from the intricacies of the throttle and rudder pedals to keeping an eye on the altimeter and even taxying on the runway.

As he explained each function and how it impacted our “flight,” I felt like I was getting an exclusive behind the scenes look at what it takes to fly a plane. I loved every minute of being a “pilot”. 😀

Fun Fact: The Boeing 737 cockpit includes over 300 switches and controls. Thankfully, pilots use only a portion of these during typical flights, with many designed for specific situations or safety redundancies.

Takeoff Time: Feeling Like a Real Pilot

Finally, it was my turn to take the controls. 

Hans guided me through the pre-flight checklist, just like on a real flight, sharing insight into everything from fuel calculations to emergency protocols, reminding me of the incredible amount of knowledge a pilot needs to ensure a smooth, safe flight.

One of the first things he showed me was how to taxy on the runway. I’ve done this before for real in high school, so I thought I knew a thing or two about flying, but… this wasn’t a small Cessna, this was a Boeing 737 commercial plane. The level of precision and focus required was next level! But, Hans was very patient with me and made complex concepts easier to understand.

Then, I was ready for take off. With a deep breath, I pushed the throttle forward. The virtual engine roared to life, the runway quickly blurred past us, and just like that, we were airborne… or at least, it felt like it! 😉

It was an awesome feeling to be in control. Whatever I did, the ‘plane’ did. Between the screens around me and the pull of the yoke, it felt like I was actually lifting into the clouds. And as crazy as it sounds, I could feel the plane’s movements in my belly. 

I was loving every second of this mini replica of a real plane. The flight almost felt like a virtual reality game.

My Fake Flight Adventure: Intimidating at First, Then Fun 

The deeper we got into the flight, the more pilot lingo I learned.

At first, all the tech was a bit overwhelming. My brain felt like it was trying to digest a foreign language. It’s a lot of information to digest: altitude, pitch, and the functions of various controls. But, it’s not like you can just skip something. In real life, every detail is instrumental in the flight’s success or failure.

But that’s where my instructor came in… He’s a very friendly, patient guy with a great sense of humor, which actually made learning fun. I didn’t feel like he was going to bite my head off if I didn’t know something.

In fact, we had such a great rapport, that at one point, he started laughing at me for some silly mistake I made. 

It was awesome to get a firsthand look at the complexities of flying a large aircraft. As we reached “cruising altitude,” he showed me how to make turns and adjust for altitude while maintaining balance and monitoring fuel and speed.

Hans was always testing me on what I learned… He’d ask me, “Okay, Captain, what’s your speed?”, “What’s your altitude?”.

Fly to Any Destination on Earth

Our journey started at Boston Logan Airport (naturally). I loved that we didn’t just stay there. Hans gave me the option to choose to travel to anywhere in the world! My favorite part of the experience is when he asked me, “Alright, where to next?” 

After punching in a few coordinates and some precise GPS adjustments, I could ‘fly’ anywhere in the world I wanted.

First stop? Athens!

I had just come from Greece a few months before so the scenery was still fresh in my memory. The screens depicting the sights was so realistic, it was like you were actually looking out your window at the Greek Islands!

It was so cool to feel like an actual pilot, punching in GPS coordinates, steering the plane, and adjusting the plane’s speed. I loved landing the plane, it was so much fun.

After adjusting some settings.. we took off from Athens and before I knew it, we were flying over Dubai within seconds.

Hans taught me how to adjust for altitude and turn the plane at an angle so I could get a really good look at the Atlantis Hotel from above, with its bold Arabian-inspired architecture and the luxurious Palm Jumeirah stretched out like an artificial paradise.

The clarity of the scenery was shocking. I could make out details of the buildings, even little yachts set against the Persian Gulf.

Next, I requested Las Vegas.

And just like that, we were flying toward the unmistakable Las Vegas Strip with its sparkling lights and legendary architecture. It’s hard not to immediately notice Luxor, with its famous light beam shooting straight up into the night sky. 

I had seen the real version flying as a passenger plenty of times, but to be in the pilot’s seat and “see” it during my night simulated flight was surreal.

My instructor mentioned a fascinating tidbit… the lights from the Vegas strip are so bright that they can be seen from space! 

Pilots are even able to use the Luxor’s beam as a navigational reference. On a clear evening, the beam can be seen from as far as 275 miles away by aircraft cruising at higher altitudes. 

Then, we touched down in Sin City, taxying on the runway back to our spot!

Learning the Ropes and Auto-Pilot Surprises

Sure, there was a learning curve. At first, it felt like a mountain of information as my instructor explained the various systems… like the importance of coordinates, the role of each instrument, and the art of reading the altimeter. 

But gradually, as I repeated each step, it all started making sense, and I began to feel like a co-pilot instead of just an observer.

The Mid-Flight Challenge: Navigating “Turbulence”

No flight would be complete without a little turbulence, right? 

Before I knew it, Hans threw in some unexpected “weather” and challenged me to virtually respond to turbulence. 

I was told to stay calm, even through the virtual turbulence shaking the “plane,” so that I could steady our path as the controls reacted to the simulated air shifts.

We also acted out a fake scenario where we had to alert the flight attendants to have passengers take their seats and buckle in. It was so cool to be the pilot giving that announcement for once!

Then, my instructor had me set the plane to autopilot where it flew itself. I couldn’t help but laugh, thinking, “So this is how pilots can go for bathroom breaks mid-flight!” Watching the plane glide smoothly, all on its own, made me appreciate how technology has revolutionized flying.

Did you know: Pilots calculate the takeoff and landing weight with extreme precision, accounting for everything from fuel levels to passengers’ luggage? During turbulence, they can even adjust altitude based on real time information from other planes.

Learning how to manage the turbulence was an incredible experience. 

If you have a fear of flying, turbulence is the probably the thing that freaks you out. That’s what’s so great about this program. When you’re a ‘pilot,’ you understand the science behind turbulence and begin to see how skilled pilots respond in real-time to ensure smooth flying.

Who is this Flight Simulator Experience for?

This flight simulator experience is ideal for aviation enthusiasts, beginners, and licensed pilots who want to hone their skills or are curious about flying in a realistic 737NG cockpit. It’s designed for all ages and skill levels… no prior experience or training required.

My Lesson & the Cost

You can’t put a price on this type of experience, but I thought the price was very reasonable.

I did a 1 hour “Flight 060 Charter” lesson, which was $187. They also offer pilot packages, which is more cost effective if you’re looking to do more than one lesson.

A Journey I Won’t Forget

As the lesson wrapped up, I felt like I had taken a trip around the world from the comfort of a cockpit. I can imagine, it’s a pretty incredible experience for a real pilot to earn their license and transition from their training to actually flying in a real plane… 

This flight simulator adventure taught me not only about the mechanics of flying but also gave me a taste of the world from a pilot’s perspective, which makes me more appreciative of them. 

Now everytime I’m on a real flight, I always picture pilots following the steps that I learned during my “fake flight”.

Global Flight Adventures Review: Would I Recommend?

100%! Whether you dread flying, are an aviation fan who wants to understand the magic of aviation better, or are an aspiring pilot, I can’t recommend a flight simulator experience with Global Flight Adventures enough. 

My instructor’s guidance, humor, and willingness to let me experiment with the controls made the experience even more memorable.

You’ll leave informed, empowered, and even a little thrilled.

Why Every Aviation Lover Should Try This

There’s no better way to learn the behind the scenes aspects of flying than directly from a professional pilot.

If you’re a visual learner, this flight simulator experience is great because you don’t just watch, you do. You’ll take off, make turns, deal with “weather,” and handle everything a pilot does in a real flight. It’s the perfect stepping stone whether you hope to have a fun new hobby, to learn more about aviation, or become a pilot one day.

Why People with a Fear of Flying Should Try This

This is also a great program for someone who is afraid of flying. The cool thing is that when you can see and feel how a plane is operated in real time, you’re less afraid of it. 

The more you know about the controls and safety measures in place, the less scary flying feels. You can finally see it for what it is: a well planned, highly organized operation designed to get people to their destinations safely.

Check out Global Flight Adventure’s “fear of flying” course here.

Final Thoughts: Leaving with a New Perspective

This simulator experience wasn’t just fun, it reminded me of my love for aviation and appreciation for the world of aviation and what our fine pilots do everyday.

One day, I’ll finish what I started in high school and get my private pilot’s license, but until then, I’m so excited I got to be a pilot for a day with Global Flight Adventures.

That’s a Wrap!

Thank you for reading! I really hope you enjoyed my Global Flight Adventure review and that my flight simulator experience inspires you to try it for yourself!

Have you done this before? Why would you want to try it? Comment below and subscribe to the blog to learn more travel tips and to hear the upcoming trips I’m hosting soon!