Welcome to the Airbus cockpit! During our tours we love to show you where pilots sit and how an Airbus is controlled.
This article is written for beginners, so everything is explained in very simple words.
Aircraft controls are very sensitive and affect real systems.
Now let’s look at the main parts you will see in the cockpit.
The pedals in an airplane are not gas pedals like in a car.
They are used to:
Think of pedals as a way to keep the aircraft balanced and pointing in the right direction.
When the airplane moves on the ground, it turns using a special steering handle called a Tiller.
It works like a steering wheel in a car.
Pilots use the Tiller to turn the nose wheel while taxiing to the runway or parking stand.
Important to know: Sidestick is not used for normal taxi turns
Taxi steering is very precise, because airplanes are large and airports are busy.
In Airbus aircraft there is no big control wheel.
Instead, pilots use a small joystick on the side called a Sidestick.
It controls the airplane through computers.
Simple explanation:
Airbus uses a system called fly-by-wire.
Computers help pilots and protect the airplane from dangerous movements.
So even though the Sidestick looks small, it controls a very big aircraft.
In front of each pilot you will see two main screens.
This is the most important screen. It shows:
Pilots look at the PFD almost all the time.
This screen shows the route map. It displays:
Think of it like a GPS map in a car.
Autothrust is the automatic control of engine power.
Pilots set the desired speed, and the aircraft automatically adjusts engine thrust to keep that speed.
This helps with:
The thrust levers are very important controls.
In normal Airbus A320 operations, pilots move the thrust levers only three times during the flight:
Once the levers are in the CLB position, the autothrust system automatically manages engine power for the rest of the flight. Pilots normally do not adjust thrust manually.
If a different speed is required, it is selected using the speed knob on the FCU, and the aircraft adjusts thrust and flight profile accordingly.
Not at all. Our tours are made for beginners. We explain everything in simple words, so anyone can enjoy the experience – kids aged 10 years and older, families, and first-time visitors.
Yes! You can sit in the pilot seat and take photos (when allowed by the instructor). It’s a great chance to feel like a pilot and capture a special memory.
Yes – absolutely. In fact, flying the aircraft yourself is the main part of the experience. During the simulator session you will sit in the pilot’s seat and control the Airbus A320 with guidance from an instructor. Even if you have no previous flying experience, the instructor will help you take off, make turns, and try landing the aircraft.
No – the experience is designed to be accessible for everyone. Prices start from $99, making it an affordable way to step into a real cockpit and experience aviation firsthand. It’s a unique opportunity to sit in the pilot’s seat, explore the aircraft environment, and enjoy a memorable aviation experience without spending a fortune.
Because you’re learning from real pilots and instructors. We make aviation simple, friendly, and inspiring. Many of our visitors later decide to start pilot training with us – and their journey begins right here in the cockpit.
IMPORTANT RULE DURING TOURS
WE WANT YOU TO ENJOY THE COCKPIT EXPERIENCE, BUT SAFETY ALWAYS COMES FIRST.
PLEASE REMEMBER:
WE ARE HAPPY TO EXPLAIN EVERYTHING IN SIMPLE WORDS.
Our A320 Flight Training Device is located at:
1707 South Perimeter Rd, #33B, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
This location is convenient for both South Florida residents and visitors who want to enjoy a unique aviation experience while in the Fort Lauderdale area. Whether you are booking an introductory simulator session, a gift experience, or professional training time, our location makes access simple and comfortable.
When choosing a flight simulator experience, the location is just as important as the quality of the equipment. Our Fort Lauderdale location makes it easy for guests to enjoy a professional and immersive training session without unnecessary travel or complications.
Whether you are coming for a short introductory flight, a longer cross-country scenario, or advanced procedural practice, our facility offers a welcoming environment for all experience levels. From first-time visitors to current airline pilots, everyone can benefit from convenient access to our A320 training device.
This article is only a short introduction for tour guests.
If you are interested in learning how to really fly an aircraft, train as a pilot, or study systems in detail – welcome to SkyEagle Aviation Academy, where we teach future pilots step by step, or stay tuned.
Hope to see you on board soon!
We are an aviation holding providing full-cycle pilot training – from becoming Private Pilot to ATP and Type Ratings.
Our Airbus A320 Flight Training Device (FTD) is located inside one of the hangars of SkyEagle Aviation Academy, operating in a real aviation training environment rather than a commercial or office setting.
The device is an integral part of our professional training infrastructure and is used for advanced pilot preparation, recurrent training, and type-rating related programs.
Training is conducted by instructors with real-world Airbus operational experience, focusing on SOPs, systems logic, automation management, and decision-making in realistic operational scenarios.
