Recently, Zagreb and Croatia have introduced aviation enthusiasts—and those newly curious—something unique for the region: a flight experience on an Airbus A320 simulator. To everyone’s surprise, two commercial flight simulators opened in the capital within a month, both available to anyone eager to step behind the controls of one of the world’s most popular passenger planes, if only for half an hour.
When Flight Simulator #1 extended an invitation to our editorial team, we couldn’t resist the chance to see for ourselves what this experience was all about. The Zagreb-based team of Flight Simulator #1 warmly welcomed us, and we were curious to discover whether their name lived up to the hype.
I must admit, as a pilot myself, I wasn’t sure what to expect—would it be a simple setup or a high-level simulator capable of delivering an authentic flight experience? As our appointment drew near, my anticipation grew. We did our homework, reading reviews from previous visitors who had unanimously praised the simulator. “This has to be the real deal,” one of my colleagues remarked as we discussed who would represent AvioRadar in this exciting, first-of-its-kind experience for our readers.
Then, on a crisp autumn evening, we arrived for our 8:30 p.m. appointment. Even from the parking lot, we noticed the thoughtfully designed setting, complete with a runway marked on the floor at the entrance. Inside, a couple was just finishing their simulation. As we waited, we could hear the familiar callouts from the Airbus cockpit—”hundred above… fifty… forty… twenty… retard, retard…” The guests had just “landed” in Zagreb and were visibly thrilled, chatting excitedly about their experience and already talking about coming back.
It was finally our turn, and we were greeted by our instructor, Karlo. The team’s attention to detail was impressive—even down to having instructors dressed in pilot uniforms. Knowing our level of experience, Karlo quickly got down to business and asked us where we wanted to fly. Coincidentally, a VATSim event was taking place in Italy at that moment, so we chose a flight from Rome to Pisa, complete with live air traffic control and virtual aircraft in the skies around us. I settled into the captain’s seat, with our instructor in the co-pilot’s seat. We began with a thorough pre-flight briefing, discussing the route, departure and arrival procedures, as well as calculations for altitude, speed, and fuel requirements. This was where the first pleasant surprise hit: the cockpit was an incredibly faithful replica, and the aircraft handled just like the real thing. Before we started the engines, I tried out some of the controls. “Even the seatbelt signs work!” I exclaimed, genuinely impressed. From lighting to the smallest switches, every detail looked and functioned just as it should. To this, Karlo added with a smile, “…the only thing that doesn’t work is the manual gear extension.” If that’s the biggest drawback, I thought to myself, then I’m exactly where I want to be.
We prepared the aircraft for flight and initiated the pushback. As the engines roared to life, the familiar sound of the CFM56 engines filled the cockpit. Even the distinct “barking” of the PTU could be heard as we started the second engine. We listened to the ATIS, checked the airport charts, and awaited taxi clearance. Using the call sign “CTN5N,” we soon heard, “Croatia 5 November, buona sera…” over the radio. At that moment, I got goosebumps; I was seated in a cockpit that looked and functioned like the real thing, and everything outside—from the weather to the wind, fog, and clouds—mirrored real life.
As we began taxiing and approached the runway, we heard, “Croatia 5 November, cleared for takeoff runway 16R, wind calm.” Our instructor turned to me, saying, “We can do a rolling takeoff if you’re ready.” Although it was just a simulation, the experience was so immersive that I found myself double-checking everything, as if we were really about to take off. Lining up with the runway, I advanced the throttle to 50% to stabilize the engines, then pushed it fully forward. “Takeoff power set… Airspeed alive,” I announced, with the instructor calling out “100 knots… V1… rotate.” I pulled back on the controls, feeling a surge of excitement as I declared, “Positive rate, gear up.” We climbed smoothly, following our planned route. Below us, the cities glowed and the sea shimmered in the moonlight, while a starry sky stretched above. I can’t overstate how remarkably this simulator captures the look and feel of a real aircraft!
As we neared Pisa, I playfully switched on the seatbelt sign while descending from cruising altitude—a small detail, but it added to the fun! We all chuckled, knowing it didn’t matter in a simulation, but it was a nice touch. We requested descent, and air traffic control began issuing vectors. With 23 planes lined up for landing, we received instructions for holding patterns, speeds, and altitudes, configuring the aircraft for a safe approach.
Descending to 5,000 feet, we could see the controller guiding us closer to the runway. Finally, we received the call, “Report established on the ILS.” Perfect—we were cleared to land! At six miles from the runway threshold, I extended the landing gear, with the flaps already set for landing. Our instructor then told me I could disable the autopilot and take manual control when I was ready. I took over, and with a calm atmosphere and almost no wind, I aimed for a smooth approach, maintaining the two white and two red lights on the PAPI as our guide. We touched down gently, though I missed the runway exit taxiway in the excitement of the moment. But the thrill of what we’d just experienced was unforgettable.
I may have gone into great detail about our flight experience, but it was to convey the genuine excitement and delight we felt. The first thing that truly impressed us was the exceptional attention to interior design and customer service. From reserved parking and easy appointment scheduling to the friendly, welcoming staff—our positive impression began right at the door. We were then pleasantly surprised by the depth of knowledge our instructor, Karlo, brought to the experience. Not only was he well-versed in aircraft operations, but he also displayed expertise in flight procedures and air traffic communication. While we knew the instructors were pilots, we hadn’t expected this level of expertise. And, of course, the simulator itself deserves high praise. Its realistic cockpit layout, aircraft behavior, professional software, and high-quality hardware, combined with the 180-degree view and live VATSim integration, created an impressively authentic flight atmosphere.
As we were leaving, we learned one last intriguing detail: though this simulator doesn’t offer licensing and can’t be logged as flight hours, professional pilots sometimes use it to practice ahead of formal tests on certified simulators. The company behind this simulator already operates another in Ljubljana and is planning to open one in Belgrade—a Boeing 737 MAX instead of an Airbus A320.
“Our hosts really put in their best,” was our final thought, and we’re confident that everyone who visits the Zagreb Flight Simulator #1 will share our high opinion.
