A few weeks back we headed to Liverpool for my son to try a  flight  simulator experience.  He has decided he would like to be a pilot, so this was a great introduction to that career path.  Becoming a pilot is a lot of hard work and expense so its worthwhile trying a simulator before heading to the skies!   

From 14 children can log flight hours towards their private pilot license.  Although they can start lessons in Liverpool from 10!  He is almost 12 so he might have a couple of flights.  But I think it would be good to wait until he is the age that they will be recorded.   

We booked his 60 Minute Flight Simulator Experience (£90) from Buyagift.  My wife could sit in and watch him having the experience.  Thankfully it didn’t cost anything extra to be a spectator.  The Ravenair simulator was very realistic.  Set up just like a real plane!  My wife felt like she was off on her holidays.  Such a proud feeling with our son flying too!  Who knows it might be happening for real one day? 

He enjoyed flying over the coast in Wales.  But enjoyed the more challenging landing into Gibraltar airport best of all.  It really was an authentic experience.  He even had a chance to try out a private jet setting which was much faster.  It also shouted out lots of commands, so it was very credible! 

It’s good that the cram so much into the 60-minute experience, with landings, take-offs and lots of useful information.  He learnt about when to start the descent, when the landing gear should come down and the first lever flaps.  How to line up on the runway and coming in for a smooth landing.  It all went over my wife’s head, but my son eagerly soaked up the knowledge.  

His instructor James was only 17 but he had already qualified as a private pilot.  He was so enthusiastic and friendly.  It really helped put my son at ease.  He said my son was a natural which was a lovely compliment for him.  James encouraging manner inspired him to keep following his dreams.  My son seemed to get a good handle of the controls and started to learn to navigate to a point on the map console.  All valuable skills for the future. 

Plenty of advice and lots of patience makes James an ideal instructor for this experience.  It’s surprising how much confidence he has for one so young!  But good pilots need self-confidence.  He was a great role model for my son.  If he genuinely wants to be a pilot, he needs role models like James who comes from a flying family. 

At the end of the experience James kindly let him sit in one of the real planes so he could get a feel for that!  They have a great flying school at Ravenair so I am sure this is the location we will pick when it comes to booking his flight training lessons. 

I would recommend booking a flight simulator experience with Ravenair through Buyagift.  Even if you don’t plan to be a pilot its something interesting to tick off your bucket list!  Plus, it can give you a bit of confidence before you take to the skies.