Private Pilotage of a Flight Simulator in Paris

The most unusual part of this Paris activity is simple: you take the captain’s seat of an Airbus A320. A professional pilot instructor walks you through the cockpit, helps start the engines, and then hands you the controls for 35 minutes of simulated flying.

I like the private format, since only your group takes part. I also like the balance between a short technical briefing and plenty of hands-on time. The main drawback is the tight 45-minute schedule. If you want several airports, weather settings, or repeated landings, this introductory session may feel brief.

Key points

• Fly an Airbus A320: Sit in the cockpit and handle the controls with a professional pilot beside you.
• 35 minutes at the controls: The total session lasts about 45 minutes, including a 10-minute briefing.
• Private experience: Only your own group participates, which makes it a good choice for families or couples.
• Open to ages 10 and up: No previous flying experience is stated as necessary.
• Useful Paris location: The meeting point is at 16 Rue Raymond Aron in the 13th arrondissement, near public transportation.
• Take home a pilot diploma: The certificate is included in the price of $119.48 per person.

Taking the Captain’s Seat in an Airbus A320

Most Paris sightseeing activities keep you on the ground. This one puts you behind the controls of a full airliner simulator. You sit where an A320 captain sits, surrounded by the instruments and switches that make a modern jet seem intimidating at first.

You are not left to figure it out alone. A professional pilot instructor stays with you, explains the cockpit, and guides you through the first steps. The session is built for ordinary people, not only aviation students or pilots.

The activity begins with a 10-minute briefing. This is where you get familiar with the simulator cockpit and learn the basic sequence before departure. You also start the engines during this stage, so the briefing is practical rather than just a talk.

Then comes the main event: about 35 minutes of flight time. You take off, control the aircraft, and work with the instructor as you fly. The exact route and level of challenge can depend on your instructor and the choices made during the session.

At the end, you return to the same meeting point. A pilot diploma is included, giving you a small souvenir that feels more fitting than a standard Paris postcard.

What the 45-Minute Schedule Really Gives You

Forty-five minutes passes quickly in an aircraft cockpit. Ten minutes are set aside for the briefing, leaving roughly 35 minutes for the actual flight. That is enough to get airborne and work through some basic flying, but you should not expect a full airline training session.

For a first-time flyer, the format makes sense. You get an explanation before touching the controls, then enough time to understand how the aircraft responds. A skilled instructor can keep the experience moving and prevent you from getting buried in buttons.

For someone with simulator experience, the short format is less generous. A pilot who wants to compare aircraft, change weather, or practice several landings may need a longer package. Longer sessions have been used at this venue for assessment preparation, with time to change airports, weather, aircraft weight, and starting position.

That detail helps explain the value of this shorter booking. At $119.48 per person, you are paying for a guided introduction and a memorable activity, not a serious training block. The price is reasonable for a private cockpit session with a professional instructor, especially if you are sharing the occasion with family or friends.

Inside the Cockpit Before Takeoff

The cockpit is the heart of the experience. You will see the controls and displays used to manage the aircraft, and the instructor will explain the basic functions before you fly. The aim is not to make you memorize every switch. It is to help you understand enough to take part.

That matters because an A320 cockpit can look like a wall of buttons to a beginner. A patient instructor makes the difference. One instructor, Arnaud, is described as having extensive flying experience and a clear way of explaining the aircraft. Another instructor, Ryan, is noted for a friendly, attentive approach. Staff members including Martin and Marc have also been praised for being flexible and helpful.

Those names may not represent the instructor assigned to your booking, so do not book on the assumption that a particular person will be present. The useful point is that the experience depends heavily on the individual instructor. A good one will adjust the session to your level instead of rushing through a fixed script.

The private format helps here. You do not have to share cockpit time with a large group or wait for strangers to finish their turn. If two people book together, the second person may be able to take an active role as copilot, depending on how the instructor runs the session.

Flying an A320 Instead of Watching One

The difference between watching an aircraft and handling it is what gives this activity its appeal. You are asked to make decisions, follow instructions, and see how the aircraft reacts. The instructor remains beside you, but you are not simply sitting in a theater watching a pre-recorded flight.

The A320 is also an interesting aircraft for anyone who knows the Boeing 737. A pilot who usually flies 737 simulators found the A320 easy to adapt to after a short explanation of the differences. You do not need that background to enjoy the experience, but it shows that the instructor can tailor the session for someone with prior cockpit experience.

If you are new to aviation, focus on the basic sensations of the session: starting the aircraft, preparing for takeoff, keeping the airplane on course, and bringing it back down. You may have time for more than one takeoff or landing, but that is not guaranteed in the 45-minute format.

The simulator can also feel more realistic when the instructor changes conditions. Longer sessions at the same company have included different airports, weather, aircraft weight, and starting positions. The shorter Paris experience may offer some of these choices, but the supplied details do not promise a particular airport, route, or weather setting.

Why the Instructor Matters More Than the Buttons

A simulator has plenty of technical appeal, but the instructor determines how much you get from it. The best teaching style here appears to be calm, direct, and practical. That is especially important when a child or first-time flyer is at the controls.

You should feel free to say how much explanation you want. If you are curious about airline procedures, ask questions. If you simply want to take off and land, say so early. A professional pilot can usually shape the session around your interests, but 35 minutes of flight time leaves little room for a long list of requests.

The teaching can also add value for experienced pilots. A 737 pilot used the session to compare the Boeing and Airbus systems, while longer packages have been used for assessment preparation. This is not advertised as a formal airline qualification, but the simulator can be useful practice for someone who already knows what to look for.

For families, the instructor’s patience is even more important. The experience accepts participants from age 10, and a child can take part without needing to understand every technical detail. The activity becomes more enjoyable when the instructor explains the controls in plain language and gives the young pilot manageable tasks.

Who Will Get the Most From This Paris Activity

This is a strong choice for several kinds of visitors:

• Aviation fans: You get a cockpit rather than a museum display or a short photo opportunity.
• Families with older children: The minimum age is 10, and the private format lets your group share the session.
• Couples and small groups: You can celebrate a birthday or special occasion without joining a large tour.
• Aspiring pilots: The experience gives you a taste of cockpit procedures and instructor-led flying.
• Current or former pilots: The A320 simulator offers a chance to compare aircraft types or refresh basic skills.

It is less suited to someone who wants a long, technical training session in one visit. It may also disappoint if you expect motion, a full airline crew, or a long list of destinations. The supplied details confirm a cockpit simulator with instructor guidance, but they do not promise a particular motion system or a specific route.

Getting to 16 Rue Raymond Aron

The activity starts and ends at 16 Rue Raymond Aron, 75013 Paris. The location is near public transportation, which is useful since this is not a central monument you can simply find beside the Seine.

Give yourself time to locate the exact entrance. One customer had trouble because a map service directed them to an older AviaSim address after the premises had moved. Since the current meeting point is clearly stated as 16 Rue Raymond Aron, check the address again before leaving and do not rely only on an old saved map pin.

The experience operates Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The listed operating period runs through November 26, 2026. Since the activity is often booked about 19 days ahead, I would not leave a preferred Saturday until the last minute.

Arrive early. The session is short, and losing ten minutes can make a real difference. A past scheduling problem involved a late arrival, a changed appointment time, and a shortened session. That does not mean every booking will go this way, but it is a good reason to confirm the time and address carefully.

The ticket is mobile, so you can show it on your phone. The activity is offered in English. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate, but the available information does not give detailed physical-access specifications for the simulator itself.

Is $119.48 a Fair Price?

At $119.48 per person, this is not a cheap add-on between major Paris sights. It is priced more like a special activity, and the value depends on how much you care about flying.

The price works best when you want a private experience with dedicated instruction. A professional pilot is there for your group, and you receive around 35 minutes of hands-on flight time. For an aviation fan, that is far more personal than a general cockpit exhibit.

The value is weaker if you are comparing it with a full simulator training package. A five-hour package offers time to change airports, alter weather, adjust aircraft conditions, and practice repeatedly. This booking is the shorter introduction, so think of it as a focused taste rather than an extended technical session.

The pilot diploma helps justify the occasion, especially for a child or first-time flyer. Snacks are not included, but that is hardly a serious concern for a 45-minute activity. Eat before or after, and treat the simulator time as the main event.

A rating of 4.4 from 65 reviews suggests the overall experience is usually positive, but the less favorable accounts point to an important risk: customer service and scheduling can sometimes be uneven. Reports include a simulator outage that required a return visit, trouble reaching the company, and a major appointment change. The activity itself received strong praise when it went ahead with a capable instructor, but you should keep your booking details and confirmation handy.

Booking Advice for a Smooth Flight

Book at least a couple of weeks ahead if you need a particular day. Saturday appointments are likely to be the most important ones to secure, especially if you are visiting Paris for only a few days.

When booking, check these details:

• Confirm that your session is for the Airbus A320, since other AviaSim locations or packages have involved the Boeing 737.
• Check the exact meeting address, 16 Rue Raymond Aron.
• Save the mobile ticket and confirmation email.
• Arrive early enough to allow for navigation and check-in.
• If you are booking for a child, confirm the participant is at least 10 years old.
• If you want repeated landings or complex weather settings, ask if a longer package is available.

Free cancellation applies when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations inside that window are not refunded, and changes made less than 24 hours before the activity are not accepted. Confirmation is normally issued at booking, though bookings made within two days of the date may take up to 48 hours and remain subject to availability.

Should You Book This Simulator Flight?

Book it if you want a private, hands-on aviation activity in Paris and the idea of taking off in an A320 sounds more exciting than another museum visit. The instructor-led format makes it accessible, the minimum age of 10 works for families, and the included pilot diploma adds a nice finish.

I would be more cautious if your schedule is tight or if you need a perfectly fixed appointment. Past problems with address information, rescheduling, communication, and equipment availability mean you should confirm everything before setting out.

For a first simulator flight, $119.48 is a fair price for 35 minutes at the controls and a private professional briefing. For serious pilot practice, choose a longer session. For an aviation-loving child, parent, couple, or curious adult, this is a memorable way to spend part of an afternoon in Paris.

FAQ

How long does the private flight simulator experience last?

The activity lasts approximately 45 minutes. This includes a 10-minute briefing and about 35 minutes of flight time.

Which aircraft simulator will I use?

The experience is described as an Airbus A320 flight simulator. Other AviaSim locations or packages have involved Boeing 737 simulators, so confirm the aircraft when booking if the model matters to you.

Is a professional pilot instructor included?

Yes. A professional pilot instructor accompanies you, explains the cockpit, helps start the engines, and guides you during the flight.

Is the activity offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

What is the minimum age?

The activity is open to participants aged 10 and older.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your group participates in the private tour or activity.

Where does the activity start and finish?

It starts at 16 Rue Raymond Aron, 75013 Paris, France, and ends back at the same meeting point.

Is a pilot diploma included?

Yes. A pilot diploma is included in the experience price.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded, and changes inside that period are not accepted.