What is a flight simulator?
A flight simulator is a sophisticated device that simulates the experience of piloting an aircraft. It faithfully reproduces the cockpit of a real aircraft, including the controls or views of realistic take-off and landing areas of the world's airports.
Advanced software programs can simulate various flight conditions and situations such as fair or foul weather, minimal or heavy air traffic and technical failures. Flight simulators are used for pilot training as well as for entertainment offering a safe adrenaline rush.
What types of flight simulators are there?
Aircraft simulators are very diverse.
- Some are made from the real cockpits of decommissioned aircraft and the high quality projection and surround sound will make you feel like you are in heaven.
- You can also come across moving flight simulators. These may not offer the realistic look of a real cockpit at first glance, but they move as they fly to make the experience as authentic as possible.
- And then there are the virtual reality flight simulators that take you to the skies with a VR headset.
Each type of simulator offers a slightly different experience, but they all give you a very authentic experience of piloting a plane without taking your feet off the ground.
What will you fly through?
Want to experience piloting a transport aircraft? Or do you want to fly a fighter jet for your life? Flight simulators will delight small and large aircraft enthusiasts alike. You can fly dozens of models. Check out the most popular ones.
Transport aircraft simulator
What would it be like to pilot a multi-ton colossus full of people? You can try it out on several types of aircraft. At Adrop, for example, you'll find the Boeing 737 Next Generation twin-engine jet transport aircraft simulator, which is so realistic that it's also used for pilot training. This delicacy awaits you in Prague, as does the Airbus A320 simulator, which is an exact replica of the aircraft with all its controls and functions.
Brno visitors will not miss out either, as they will find the Boeing 737 MAX simulator, which is the fourth generation of this transport aircraft. The cockpit of the simulator was created in cooperation with professional pilots and is thus perfectly realistic.
In Liberec, you will find a world unique in the form of a Douglas DC-9 simulator made from the real cockpit of this impressive transport aircraft, with a 270° projection.
Fighter simulator
Wouldn't you rather experience an aerial battle instead of flying with people? Hop into the Fighter Simulator for some serious speed and aerial combat.
This time we start with Liberec, where you will find again a unique flight simulator of the MiG-21 fighter. It is a decommissioned fighter, which you can see from all sides during the experience.
In Brno, you can jump into simulators of several fighters. Would you like to fly an F/A-18 Hornet fighter aircraft and try a take-off from an aircraft carrier? Or how about taking a seat in a British Supermarine Spitfire, which took to the skies during World War II? Then there's the legendary Messerschmitt Bf109 fighter from World War II, which is an exact replica of the cockpit.
The F16 Fighting Falcon is definitely worth checking outin Prague, as it is currently the most widely used multi-purpose single-engine fighter, which you can fly at speeds of over 300 km/h!
Small sport aircraft trainer
If you're thinking of piloting a small aircraft, we recommend flying to Prague to the moving simulator to try piloting a small single-engine sports aircraft, the Cessna 182RG. Who knows, maybe next time you'll try test piloting!
How does the flight simulator experience work?
- The experience always starts with a short briefing, where you learn how to operate the machine and what the knob or lever is for.
- First you will learn how to take off, then you will maneuver in the air and of course you will need to practice landing. There are several variations of the experience to choose from, with the most common being the option to pilot for 30, 60 or 90 minutes.
- There are usually a number of airports to choose from, often thousands of airports around the world.
- You can also choose the weather you fly in, and you can also choose different disturbances to test how you would cope in a crisis situation.
It's definitely fun for complete beginners, even for wind-beaten flyers.
TIP: We recommend you bring comfortable clothes and shoes to give you the most freedom of movement.
Who is the flight simulator suitable for?
Anyone who is keen to take to the skies will enjoy a flight in an aircraft simulator. Each aircraft has slightly different rules, so it's always worth reading the descriptions of each experience. Some simulators are suitable from the age of 8, while others are suitable from the age of 10. And then there are some simulators where you won't fit if you're taller than 180 cm or weigh over 120 kg.
In general, this is an experience that will be enjoyed by adventurers who aren't afraid of some of those levers and buttons (and there are some). You won't be dizzy because your feet will be on the ground all the time. More sensitive individuals may feel nauseous from the flight, but even that should settle down after a while. Tested by a colleague who gets car sick and after a while she even cut a windstorm without any problems. :)
You can also bring along a companion who will cheer enthusiastically for your aerial adrenaline. Just choose the plane you want to ride and let's go!
