Having a keen interest in aviation I decided to fly the Airbus 320 simulator, since I'd already did the Boeing 737 simulator a while back.
The simulator itself is a real cockpit, cut from a decommissioned aircraft and fitted with all the controls to mimic the A320 like for like. This simulator is not on hydraulics though (what would be classed as a Category D simulator which costs £900 per hour and what is used by airlines to train their pilots) so it doesn't move, but you do get the feeling that you are in a real aircraft. Even the sounds / noises are realistic, from the engine roar, fuel flow and landing gear movement. The graphics are due for an upgrade which Andy said will be happening in a few weeks.
Andy Lee was my captain in the left seat and was the co-pilot in the right seat. I was the pilot flying and Andy was the pilot monitoring. Andy explained the controls and allowed me to taxi the A320 to the runway, apply thrust and rotate to take off as well as set the flaps and speed and use the ILS system for the landing approach at several airports including Madeira and Heathrow and the disused Kai Tak airport in Hong Kong. We also did a mid-air collision avoidance scenario too and an engine fire scenario from and to Heathrow airport. Andy managed to squeeze in a landing and takeoff from Paro airport in Bhutan (world's most dangerous landing)!
I was in there for 2 hours and wouldn't recommend anything less since the time just flies by (no pun intended).
Great afternoon. Recommended for people who have an interest in aviation or are interested in pursuing a career as a commercial airline pilot or for people taking their PPL and want to know more about commercial flying.
I booked the Boeing 747 simulator too since I would have all 3 simulators under my belt for a discounted price. Looking forward to coming back to take control of the jumbo jet as co-pilot!