Take to the skies and fly over Budapest at the Pilots Simulator Center!

“Well, then you look and keep the plane straight with the pedal, but if you can, don’t roll the wheels across the tarmac... and please, don’t break the tailplane. I'll take care of the speed, the wing-flap and the navigation. Give it some gas, let’s take off! Well done, but you're not launching a space rocket, keep the ascent at ten degrees, nice and slowly...Yes, that's right. Now, push it back a little, don't let gravity trick us. Great, we're straight, but try to get around Hármashatár Hill... Don’t crash into it! ” – that’s how my initiation as a pilot starts under the guidance of János Cseh, head of the Pilots Simulation Center.


When I ask what happens if we crash, he just says: “You’ll pay for it just the same”.

Sometimes, actual training of professional pilots also takes place here, because two of the three aircraft they have, the Cessna 172 Skyhawk and the Airbus A320, are suitable for those practising for their pilot exam. Trainees can learn about the instruments on an aircraft instead of using real planes currently in operation.

The place is located on the first floor of a modern office building, which is where you're welcomed by the personable János. His friendly demeanour certainly helps as he shows you round the flight simulator.

It’s not like the experience of flying a plane needs any extras. Acceleration obviously doesn’t crush your ribcage, but as the machine starts to sink, you do tend to get a rush of blood. We went on a big loop, gazing over Parliament and heading down towards Soroksár – didn’t even crash once!

Anyway, if the worst does happen, you can set up the programme to start all over again automatically, and bounce straight back. János shows you how to land, which in this case went relatively smoothly – eventually.


Perhaps if this had been a real plane full of passengers, I might not have received my several minutes of applause.

They have been operating in District IX since 2014 and don’t need to rely on advertising to attract custom – you have to book at least two weeks in advance for weekdays (HUF 17,000/hr) and at least one month in advance for weekends (HUF 20,000/hr).


And you don't need stay in Budapest, you can also travel to Paris or New York, depending on the programme you load.

The design of the simulator is cool – it feels pretty daunting when you board that you actually have to fly this thing. The images here perfectly reflect the charm of this enclosed experience and the way time flies when you’re having fun. Next week I’m taking the family to Paris.