You sit in a real A320 cockpit. The Airbus Flightsimulator experience in Oberhausen Centro makes you feel like you are running an actual flight, with authentic Airbus A320 instruments and soundscapes and hands on weather and emergency scenarios. The only real catch is that it is time-boxed, with about an hour of flying, so you will not fully train every system like a real pilot.

I like that it is built for both adults and children, and it is run as a private group with a briefing and guidance from an instructor. That structure helps you go from cockpit curiosity to actual controls without getting lost. If you expect a long, deep technical course, you might find the session too short, but for a first taste of aviation, it is focused and fun.

Here is the vibe: a realistic replica, a guided “do this next” flow, and enough variety to keep it interesting even if you have zero flight background.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

Real Airbus A320 cockpit feel with instruments and soundscapes that match the original

You fly multiple phases including takeoff, landings, and cruise

Weather scenarios and emergency situations to make the flight feel operational

You can choose different airport starts and landings around the world

Private group attention with instructor support in German or English

Stepping Into The Airbus A320 Cockpit At Oberhausen Centro

This experience is located at Centro Oberhausen in Northern Germany, and the “you are really in a cockpit” moment hits fast. You are not just watching a screen, you are seated in a realistic Airbus A320 replica and guided through what to do next.

What makes it work is the presentation. As soon as you sit down, you get the full cockpit environment, including instruments and soundscapes designed to feel true to the original A320. The result is that you quickly stop thinking about the simulator and start thinking about the flight.

How The 15-Minute Briefing Sets Your Flight Up

Before you fly, you get a briefing of about 15 minutes. This is not a long lecture, it is a setup period where the instructor introduces the basic concepts and explains what you will be doing during your session.

In practice, this matters for two reasons. First, it helps kids and first timers feel comfortable. Second, it helps experienced participants avoid the frustrating beginner stage where you spend the whole time learning what each switch does instead of flying.

The reviews point to instructors who adjust to your starting point. One attendee even described how the pilot fine-tuned the plan based on their knowledge and discussed the route beforehand, which is exactly the right approach for a mixed group.

Flying the Real Phases: Takeoff, Landings, and Cruise

Your flying time is about 60 minutes, and it is structured around the key parts of a flight: takeoff, landings, and cruise. That selection is smart because it gives you variety while still feeling cohesive, like one continuous mission.

During the session, you can explore the cockpit and operate the various controls of the plane. The goal is not to throw you into random buttons. You get guided steps that connect cockpit actions to what the plane is doing.

A possible consideration: because the flight is split between phases, you might not get unlimited repeats of one maneuver. If you know you want to practice a specific landing style, you will want to ask the instructor early how much time you can spend on the part that interests you most.

Weather Scenarios That Change How You Fly

One of the most engaging parts is the chance to fly through different weather scenarios. Weather is where aviation stops being theory and starts becoming decision-making.

In a simulator, weather can become either a gimmick or a learning tool. Here, it is treated like part of the flight challenge, so you are adjusting your approach based on conditions rather than just watching a script.

The practical benefit for you is confidence. Even if you have never flown, you learn that a “good flight plan” is flexible. Weather gives you a reason why.

Emergency Situations, With Coaching Not Chaos

You also handle emergency situations during the session. This is one of those features that can sound intimidating on paper, but in a guided simulator it is usually more about calm procedure than drama.

The best way to think about it: emergencies in real aviation are not about panic, they are about steps. In this setup, your instructor helps you work through the response so you understand what the aircraft systems demand, and what your job is in that moment.

If you are traveling with children, this is a big plus. It turns fear into learning. You get the realism without the real-world risk.

Choosing Airports Around the World for Takeoff and Landing

Another highlight is that you can start and land from different airports around the world. That choice keeps the flight feeling fresh because each airport setup changes your mental workload, especially during takeoff and landing phases.

It also makes the experience more personal. If you are interested in aviation routes or just want variety, different airports let you pick the flavor of your session.

One review specifically highlighted a flight planning and guidance approach using a route from Köln to Düsseldorf. That kind of planning is exactly what helps you feel like the simulator is building a real operational story, not just running visuals.

What Makes It Work for Kids and First-Time Flyers

This is marketed for adults and children, and the experience design supports that. A realistic cockpit can be overwhelming, but you are not thrown in alone. There is a briefing, instructor support, and a debriefing at the end.

I also like the private group setup. It gives you space to ask questions without the pressure of a larger class setting. In one review, the family element showed up clearly, with an attendee expressing thanks for letting a young grandson watch and be guided through the program.

That atmosphere matters. Aviation is naturally inspiring, but it can also be intimidating. A guided, family-friendly format turns it into a shared activity.

Price and Value: What $117 Per Group Really Buys

The price is listed as $117 per group up to 4, and the session runs about 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on scheduling, with 60 minutes of flying time noted for the experience. On a per-person basis, this can be surprisingly reasonable because the cost scales with the group, not with the number of seats being filled.

Here is the value logic I would use as a traveler. You are paying for instructor-led flying time in a realistic Airbus A320 replica, plus the pre-flight briefing and post-flight debriefing. Many “experience” activities give you a short demo. This one gives you actual active participation, including flying phases and scenario changes.

One small tradeoff: it is not a full multi-hour training program. If your goal is serious pilot skill development, you will likely want real flight lessons. But if your goal is a memorable, hands-on aviation experience that feels authentic, this is built for that.

Languages, Instructor Support, and How You’ll Communicate

The instructor supports German and English. That is great if you are traveling within Germany or bringing international family members along.

Communication matters because you need clear next steps during takeoff, landing, cruise, and especially during emergencies. The fact that the instructor adjusts to your knowledge level, as reflected in reviews, is a key part of why people rate this so highly.

If you want to maximize your learning, come with a couple of simple questions ready, like how the instructor decides the approach, or what you should focus on first during a landing scenario.

Practical Logistics at Centro Oberhausen (Parking and Finding the Lobby)

Getting there is straightforward once you know where to look.

You get free parking in unmarked parking spaces, and additional parking is around the corner under the bridge. The lobby is on the 1st floor, and you go left up the stairs.

If the door is locked, ring the bell at FLIGHTHOUR. That little detail saves time and frustration.

Plan a bit of buffer, especially if you are coming with children. A simulator experience is about transitions, and the smoother your arrival, the more relaxed you will be when you step into the cockpit.

What Is Included, What Is Not, and How to Think About Photos

Included in your experience are the briefing (about 15 minutes), flying (takeoff, landings, and cruise), and a debriefing. You also handle the appointment and ticket steps ahead of time, typically through email or phone booking.

Not included is recording. So if you want photos or video, you should plan to use your own device, assuming that is allowed at the venue.

The debriefing at the end is worth treating seriously. It is when you get to connect what happened during your flight to what you were doing in the cockpit. That is where a lot of the learning sticks.

Who Should Book This Airbus A320 Flight Simulator

I think this is a strong fit if you fall into one of these buckets:

• You want a hands-on aviation experience without needing prior knowledge
• You are traveling with kids and want something that feels real, not just a ride
• You like structured guidance, briefing first, then coached flying
• You want variety through weather and emergency scenarios

It is less ideal if you want a long, technical deep training session. This is a one-session flight experience, designed to be fun and believable, not a comprehensive conversion into pilot-level competence.

Should You Book the Airbus A320 Simulator at Oberhausen?

If you want a realistic cockpit experience where you actually operate controls, this is an easy yes. The combination of authentic A320 instruments and soundscapes, a guided briefing, and the added challenge of weather and emergency situations makes it feel like more than a novelty.

I would book it especially for mixed experience groups, adults and children, because the instructor-led structure helps everyone participate. The private group format also keeps it comfortable, so you can ask questions and move at a pace that works.

If you can only choose one thing to do in Northern Germany that feels technical but stays playful, this one has a strong case. You will leave with the kind of story that starts with, I sat in the A320 cockpit and flew.

FAQ

How long is the Airbus A320 flight simulator experience?

The total experience runs about 30 minutes to 1 hour, and you also get about 60 minutes of flying time that includes takeoff, landings, and cruise.

Where does the experience take place?

It takes place at Centro Oberhausen in Northern Germany, with the lobby on the 1st floor.

What happens before you start flying?

You get a briefing of about 15 minutes where an instructor introduces basic concepts and sets up the flight.

Which languages are available?

The instructor can guide you in German and English.

Is it a private group experience?

Yes, it is offered as a private group.

Can you explore the cockpit and operate controls?

Yes. You can explore the cockpit and operate various controls during the flight.

Do you fly different airports?

Yes, you can choose to start and land from different airports around the world.

Are there weather scenarios and emergencies?

Yes. The experience includes different weather scenarios and emergency situations.

Is a recording included?

No. Recording is not included.

Is parking and access handled on-site?

There is free parking in unmarked parking spaces nearby. The lobby is on the 1st floor left up the stairs, and the venue is wheelchair accessible.