Private Pilotage of a Flight Simulator in Paris

Take the captain’s seat in Paris. This private Airbus A320 simulator experience gives you 35 minutes at the controls, with a professional pilot instructor beside you and a short cockpit briefing before takeoff. It is a clever way to enjoy aviation without leaving the city or spending the price of a real flight lesson.

I like the private format, since your group gets the instructor’s full attention. I also like the practical teaching style reported by several participants, including instructors such as Martin, Marc, Arnaud, and Ryan. The main caution is scheduling: some bookings have suffered from delayed replies, address confusion, or last-minute changes, so confirm the appointment details before setting out.

Key points to know before booking

• You fly an Airbus A320: This is not simply a cockpit photo opportunity. You take the controls under an instructor’s guidance.
• The session lasts about 45 minutes: Plan on 10 minutes of briefing and approximately 35 minutes of flight time.
• It is private: Only your own group participates in the activity.
• Children from age 10 can take part: The experience is designed for ordinary visitors, not only aviation professionals.
• You receive a pilot diploma: It is a small but useful souvenir after the session.
• The listed price is $119.48 per person: That is reasonable for a private simulator session, especially if two or more people share the experience.

What happens at 16 Rue Raymond Aron

The listed meeting point is 16 Rue Raymond Aron, 75013 Paris, and the activity returns to that same location. It is near public transportation, which matters because this is not a central sightseeing stop you can simply stumble across between the Louvre and Notre-Dame.

Give yourself enough time to reach the address. A few past bookings have involved confusion over a former location and map directions, with one person arriving late after being sent to an older AviaSim address. I would check the confirmation carefully, use the current address supplied with your booking, and avoid arriving at the last minute.

The opening hours listed for this experience are Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. You should still rely on your confirmed appointment rather than simply arriving during those hours. This is a scheduled private session, not a walk-in museum exhibit.

The location is accessible by public transportation, and service animals are allowed. The activity is described as suitable for most people, with a minimum age of 10. No snacks are included, so eat beforehand if you are booking around lunchtime or dinner.

The 10-minute cockpit briefing

Your session begins with a briefing. The instructor introduces you to the Airbus A320 cockpit, explains the main controls, and starts the engines before handing over the action to you.

That short introduction is important. An airliner cockpit can look like a wall of switches and screens, and ten minutes is not enough for a full pilot-training course. It is enough, though, to help you understand where to look and what the instructor is asking you to do.

The instructors appear to be the strongest part of the experience. Arnaud is described as an experienced aviation professional who gives useful instruction without making the session feel stiff. Ryan is praised for being friendly and attentive, while Marc is noted for working hard to meet a participant’s requirements. Another instructor helped a Boeing 737 pilot understand the differences between the 737 and A320.

That last detail is useful even if you have never flown anything more complicated than a paper airplane. The instructor’s job is not to expect you to know airline procedures. You are given enough guidance to make the controls approachable.

Still, the briefing is brief. If you want detailed instruction on every cockpit system, you need a longer package. A 45-minute booking is best treated as an introduction and hands-on adventure, not as a complete aviation lesson.

Thirty-five minutes as the A320 captain

After the briefing, you take the controls. The basic promise is simple: you choose the flight you want, while a professional pilot instructor sits beside you to guide the experience.

The precise route and airport are not fixed in the information provided, which is actually part of the appeal. In longer simulator packages, people have practiced flights between several airports and changed conditions such as weather, aircraft weight, and starting position. For this shorter booking, ask the instructor at the start what scenarios are available and how many takeoffs or landings can fit into your time.

The controls are intended to recreate the feeling of operating a powerful commercial aircraft. You can expect to work with basic flight inputs such as heading, altitude, and speed, with the instructor helping you understand how each affects the aircraft.

You may get one complete flight or focus on specific parts, depending on your pace. Takeoffs and landings require the most attention, so those are likely to use much of your flight time. A participant who had a longer session completed three takeoffs and landings in different locations and weather conditions. That gives you a sense of what a more extended booking can offer, but you should not assume the 45-minute session will include the same number.

The instructor can also make the experience easier for a first-time flyer. You do not need to arrive knowing airline terminology. The best approach is to listen closely, ask questions, and resist the urge to press every button just because it is there. In a simulator cockpit, curiosity is welcome, but random button-pushing is how a quick flight becomes a very long explanation.

Why the private format matters

This is a private activity, so only your group takes part. That makes a real difference. You are not waiting for strangers to have their turn, and the instructor can adjust the pace to your interests.

For a parent and child, this can be a strong choice. One child took the co-pilot role during a simulator session and actively joined in with takeoffs and landings. The minimum age is 10, and the shared cockpit setup gives a young aviation fan something more meaningful to do than watch an adult operate the controls.

It can also work well for couples, friends, or a small family group. A person who already flies a Boeing 737 can use the time to compare it with the Airbus A320, while a complete beginner can focus on the sensation of managing a jet under instruction.

The tradeoff is price. At $119.48 per person, this is not a cheap filler activity. It makes more sense when you value the private instruction and hands-on time. A solo booking may feel costly for 45 minutes, while a shared experience can feel like a memorable occasion, especially if the participants take turns as captain and co-pilot.

The value of the $119.48 price

The price sits in the middle range for a specialist experience. You are paying for access to an airline simulator, a private instructor, and a personal flight rather than for a standard sightseeing attraction.

I would judge the value by your interest level. If aircraft, airports, and cockpit procedures genuinely appeal to you, the session offers something you cannot get from a normal Paris tour. You are not just looking at an A320 from behind a barrier. You are asked to make decisions and respond to the aircraft with an instructor nearby.

For a casual visitor who has no interest in flying, the cost may be harder to justify. Paris has many activities that last longer and involve more of the city. This experience is narrow in subject, but it serves that subject well when the appointment runs properly.

The included pilot diploma adds a modest finishing touch. It will not replace a flight qualification, of course, but it gives children and first-time participants a physical reminder of the session.

There are no snacks included. That is not a serious concern, but it reinforces the point that this is a focused simulator appointment rather than a full hospitality package.

The instructors make or break the session

A simulator can have impressive equipment and still feel flat if the instructor is distracted or overly technical. Here, the teaching is repeatedly described as friendly, patient, and clear.

Arnaud is particularly well suited to people preparing for aviation assessments or wanting serious practice. He has experience with airline simulation and can explain the difference between aircraft types. For a recreational visitor, that same experience should help keep the session moving when the cockpit starts to feel confusing.

Ryan is described as approachable and attentive, with real-world captain experience. Marc is praised for trying hard to meet a participant’s needs. Martin, who runs the operation, is described as accessible and flexible when arranging longer packages.

That does not mean every appointment will be perfect. A few accounts describe poor communication, unanswered calls, or problems confirming gift-package bookings. The quality of the actual instruction appears stronger than the administrative side, so get your date and time confirmed in writing.

Equipment, realism, and the limits of a short session

The simulator is designed to give you the feel of an airline cockpit, and the controls are detailed enough to make the experience more than a simple arcade game. Participants have adjusted heading, attitude, speed, weather, aircraft weight, and starting position during longer sessions.

The equipment is not necessarily flawless. One account describes an older seat as a weak point in a Boeing 737 simulator at another AviaSim location. That comment does not directly describe the A320 session at 16 Rue Raymond Aron, but it is a fair reminder to keep expectations sensible. You are booking a training-style simulator, not a full-motion airline certification device.

The experience is strongest when you focus on the challenge of flying. You will not feel the full physical movement of a real jet, and the 45-minute format leaves little time for elaborate route planning. What you do get is a chance to sit in the cockpit, understand the basic workload, and make takeoffs and landings with expert help.

For aviation fans, that can be plenty. For someone expecting a theme-park ride, the experience may feel more technical and less dramatic.

Who should book this Paris experience

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• People aged 10 and older who are fascinated by aircraft
• Parents looking for a hands-on activity with a child
• Couples or friends who want an unusual private experience
• Current pilots who want to compare Airbus and Boeing handling
• Aviation students or assessment candidates booking a longer package
• Anyone who prefers a guided activity over a passive museum visit

It is less suitable if you want a broad Paris experience, a long activity, or a ride with motion effects. It also may not suit you if you find appointment changes stressful or cannot spare time to verify the meeting point.

The 45-minute session is a good first taste. If you already know that you want multiple airports, changing weather, repeated landings, or assessment practice, ask about a longer package instead. Five-hour packages have been used for serious preparation and allow much more control over the session.

Booking advice and cancellation terms

Confirmation is normally issued at booking. If you book within two days of the activity, confirmation may take up to 48 hours and remains subject to availability. I would not make a tight connection with another important appointment on the same day.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off uses local Paris time.

Because communication problems have affected some bookings, save the confirmation, check the address, and make sure the time has not changed. If you have a gift voucher or are arranging a special date, allow extra time for the reservation process.

Final verdict: Is the A320 simulator worth booking?

I would book this if you want a private, hands-on aviation experience and the idea of flying an Airbus A320 sounds more exciting than another standard Paris attraction. The strongest points are the personal instruction, the private format, the age range, and the chance to tailor the flight to your interests.

At $119.48 per person, it is fair value for someone who truly enjoys aircraft. It is less compelling for a casual visitor who expects a long or highly physical ride. The main risk is not the flying itself, but appointment administration and possible confusion over timing or location.

Confirm everything in advance, arrive early, and ask how the 35 minutes will be used. Do that, and this can be a memorable Paris activity, especially for a parent and child or a serious aviation enthusiast.

FAQ

Where does the flight simulator experience begin?

It begins at 16 Rue Raymond Aron, 75013 Paris, France.

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately 45 minutes, including about 10 minutes of briefing and 35 minutes of flight time.

Which aircraft simulator will I use?

This experience uses an Airbus A320 flight simulator.

Is the experience private?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

What is the minimum age?

The experience is accessible to people from age 10.

Is an instructor included?

Yes. A professional pilot instructor accompanies you and helps you operate the simulator.

What is included in the price?

A pilot diploma is included. Snacks are not included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not accepted for a refund.