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Frequently Asked Questions
We've put together a list of frequently asked questions about our flight simulator experience, answers to which you can find below. If you've got a question that isn't answered here, please don't hesitate to get in touch!
About the Flight Simulator Experience
Location & Getting There
Booking & Pricing
Gift Vouchers
The Boeing 737 Simulator
Full Motion vs Fixed Base
Fear of Flying
For Pilots & Aviation Professionals
Virtual Type Rating
Corporate Groups and Team Building
General and Technical
A flight simulator experience puts you in the cockpit of a commercial aircraft and lets you take the controls under the guidance of an experienced instructor. At JetEx, that means sitting in a real Boeing 737 cockpit — complete with real controls with force feedback, full-motion 6-axis movement, and real cockpit audio — and flying real routes to real airports. Unlike a video game or a simple desktop sim, a proper full motion flight simulator experience replicates the sights, sounds, and physical sensations of flying a commercial airliner.
JetEx operates the UK's only public-access full motion 6-axis Boeing 737 simulator. Almost every other flight simulator experience in the UK uses a fixed base simulator — meaning the cockpit does not move.
JetEx's simulator is mounted on a Moog motion platform with six electric actuators. You physically feel the take-off roll pushing you back in your seat, the lift-off, turbulence bumps mid-flight, and the touchdown on landing. No other UK experience provider offers this level of immersion to the general public, the JetEx 737 is in a different class.
JetEx offers sessions of 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes, you are at the controls for the entire time. 60 minutes is the most popular session for first-time visitors — long enough to master the basics of take-off and landing without feeling rushed. The 120-minute session is ideal for aviation enthusiasts who want to explore multiple airports, practice instrument approaches, or experience more demanding weather scenarios. Time in the sim goes very fast!
None at all. The experience is designed for complete beginners and aviation enthusiasts alike.
Your instructor will brief you fully before you enter the simulator, walk you through the controls, and guide you through every phase of the flight. Many of our customers have never been inside a cockpit before and still come away having successfully taken off, and landed — all on their own.
After a briefing from your instructor, you'll take the left-hand seat — the captain's position. You'll take-off, fly a route, and attempt a landing.
Your instructor sits in the first officer's seat throughout, assisting with checklists, and helping you get the most from your time.
Sessions can be tailored — some customers prefer to focus on landings; others want to experience crosswind approaches, night flying, or storm conditions.
Yes, with some age and height considerations.
Children who are at least 12 years of age and tall enough to reach the controls and see over the instrument panel are welcome. We may accept younger children if they have a very keen interest in aviation.
We recommend a minimum height of around 140 cm for a comfortable experience. Younger visitors must be accompanied by a parent.
Please contact us before booking if you're unsure, and we'll advise based on your child's age and height.
The simulator can be a powerful environment for gently confronting flight anxiety in a safe, controlled setting. We offer a dedicated Fear of Flying Course hosted by an airline pilot, that is specifically designed to address flight anxiety in a structured format.
The simulator accurately replicates all aircraft movement so you can experience an entire flight including turbulents, while always in control — you can pause or end the session at any time.
See our Fear of Flying course for details.
The experience is not physically strenuous. You sit in the captain's seat throughout and control the aircraft with a yoke (control column) and rudder pedals. It can be a bit of a tight squeeze to get in though, so you must be mobile and able to support your own weight.
The full motion platform moves the entire cockpit smoothly — you will feel realistic G-forces and motion, but nothing that would be uncomfortable for anyone in normal health.
Customers with certain medical conditions (recent surgery, severe heart conditions, or serious motion sickness) should consult us before booking.
From / to, or around any current airport. Our simulation database covers over 24,000 airports worldwide. Popular choices include Heathrow (EGLL), Bristol (EGGD), Amsterdam Schiphol (EHAM), Innsbruck (LOWI — famous for its challenging alpine approach), and Gibraltar (LXGB — one of the most dramatic runways in the world).
Some airports and scenery areas are more detailed than others. Your instructor will recommend routes based on your session length and experience level.
There is no limit to what you can do during your flight, take-offs, landings, circuits, bad weather, engine failures, even stalls, all in complete safety of course. Just let us know what you'd like to experience, and we'll tailor your time in the sim so you can get the most fun out of it.
Yes. You can request conditions ranging from calm, clear skies to stormy crosswinds, fog, low visibility instrument approaches, or night flying. Challenging weather significantly increases the difficulty and realism of the session.
Many experienced customers specifically request a strong crosswind landing at Bristol or a CAT III ILS approach to Heathrow to test their skills.
Yes, assuming you both have some experience with either real world flying or PC based flight simulators, you can fly the sim together as a crew with a member of the JetEx team operating the instructor station at the back for you. We will need to assess your abilities individually (flying with an instructor) before letting you fly the sim as a crew to ensure the safety of the session.
On very rare occasions it may not be possible to have a guest join you in the cockpit for technical reasons- e.g. if a JetEx staff member needs to operate the sim systems from the jump seat to facilitate a session, in this situation your guest can observe your session from the lounge.
Our age limit is 12 years old, however, if you have a younger child with a very keen interest in aviation and/or flight simulators please get in touch and we can probably bend the rules. Please note all children must be accompanied by an adult at all times while at JetEx.
Yes! there is no charge for bringing a friend who can sit in the jump seat, we recommend limiting the cockpit to three people-including the instructor.
On very rare occasions it may not be possible to have a guest join you in the cockpit for technical reasons- e.g. if a JetEx staff member needs to operate the sim systems to facilitate a session, in this situation your guest can observe your session from the lounge.
We ask that you wear closed-toe shoes for safety inside the simulator. Avoid very heavy coats or bulky clothing, as the simulator cockpit is compact and you will want freedom of movement to operate the controls. Bring comfortable clothing, and if you are visiting in the summer, please be aware the simulator can sometimes get very warm.
We operate a single full motion 737 flight simulator located at Commerce Park, Frome.
We are also in the process of developing other simulators - ask about them when you visit!
Yes with the assistance of one of our pilot instructors.
You have the sim to yourself (and your guest if you choose to bring one) you will be at the controls all the time.
You can sit in either the captains or copilot's seat. Let your instructor know your preference before getting in.
Still Got Questions?
If there's something that you still want to find out that we haven't answered above, don't hesitate to get in touch!
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