[lsolaBella]

Ok it was flight simulator at Qantas but it was lots of fun.

Did it with my father for his birthday. Super great day.

Went through the cabin crew training facilities. Did an emergency simulation.... Flames outside the window on takeoff, smoke filling cabin (disco smoke), lights out then cabin crew calling out brace for emergency landing. Then we landed on water and had to get out our life jackets (had moment working out how to open package - they tell you in safety videos where it is located, but not how to open!), then put it on (and in dark managed to put on wrong way around.... Also discovered they should tell you to take off glasses first), then out the door while inflating jacket. Very cool . Very eye opening too. As I said mine was put on wrong way around(but still works), dad took up precious moments working out which way to put it on.

Then off to the flight simulator to fly a jumbo 767 . My dad always wanted to be pilot, but being profoundly colourblind put paid to that (he also discovered why he could not fly as I had to call out warning lights colours to him). My dreams were killed as a teen with super bad migraines realising I would not pass medical (instructors child also got chucked out of programme for this).

So learned to drive plane on ground, takeoff and land. Some very funny moments to be had.

[RunDMC]

I remember as a kids when the hostess would round up all the kids for a trip to the cockpit. Best part of the flight.

[Percoriel]

I'd love to do that! Sounds like a great day

[SqueakyBee]

Sounds like you guys had an awesome day! What a great birthday present

[FrogIsAFrogIsAFr...]

Very cool! I just googled and found DHs birthday present for April!!

Great idea

[amaza]

Wow, I so badly need to do that for myself.

I'm petrified of flying. Even a trip to drop somebody off at the airport results in anxiety. Any time I fly (rarely) I cry and stress the whole time and in the days leading up to having to get back I stop enjoying my holiday etc.

This may go a long way toward alleviating my fears. It sounds like you had a great day! I'm glad that you guys got to live your piloting dreams

[Therese]

That is so cool.

[namie]

Wow! That is so cool!

Totally trumps my exciting weekend driving a Budget Rental 3-tonne moving truck. Think I'll ask for a flight simulator experience for my 40th!

[Cappie]

Wow - that sounds like a great gift, am definitely jotting it down for the future for DH.
For the PP who is afraid of flying - my cousin was te same and did the http://www.fearlessflyers.com.au/ course, it ends with a flight and she found it so helpful

[JJ]

How exciting! I'm thinking about doing this for my DS for his birthday in April (the prices are a bit too steep for my budget, but I haven't really shopped around yet). I have ulterior motives though - I totally want to do it myself and also I'm secretly hoping it might kick his smart but lazy backside into gear and make him work a bit harder at school - as I keep telling him, "you CAN be a pilot if you work really hard" - he loves the idea but I don't think he believes me.

Do you think it would be suitable for a 12yo?