TUCSON AIRPLANE FIELD GUIDE
Take the Controls: Sit in Real A-10, F-5 and Cessna Cockpits at Pima’s Simulator Lab
At the Pima Air & Space Museum in Tucson, climb into modified aircraft cockpits converted into flight simulators for short, realistic flights—this guide explains what to expect and how to plan.
Take the Controls: Sit in Real A-10, F-5 and Cessna Cockpits at Pima’s Simulator Lab.
At the Pima Air & Space Museum in Tucson you can climb into authentic aircraft cockpits that have been converted into flight simulators—choose an A-10 Warthog, an F-5, or a Cessna 172 and take the controls in a realistic, museum-run simulator experience available on weekend days.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Iconic Aircraft, Real Cockpits
The simulators are built into real aircraft cockpits—A-10 Warthog, F-5 and Cessna 172—so the tactile feel and instrument layout mirror the genuine machines.
Realistic Flight Control for Any Skill Level
No prior simulator experience is required; participants of varying abilities can take the controls and fly a short, guided session inside a modified cockpit simulator.
Short, Focused Flights
Sessions are intentionally brief and intense—designed as concentrated simulator flights that fit easily into a museum visit.
What the day feels like
What It Feels Like to Fly
The experience is compact and immersive: after assembling at the museum’s simulator lab you climb into a real cockpit modified to run a flight program, settle into the controls and fly a short, realistic session—whether you prefer the brute handling of the A-10, the nimble jets of the F-5, or the steadier Cessna 172.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this experience suits best.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The experience is offered on weekend days; source material notes availability across Friday–Sunday in one place and Saturday–Sunday in another—confirm specific days when booking.
No specific gear requirements are listed in the provided facts; check with the Pima Air & Space Museum for any operator-specified items.
Check in at the Simulator Lab in the Aerospace Gallery (Building 7) at the museum.
Each simulator session lasts about 10 minutes.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is a simulator session?
Sessions last approximately 10 minutes.
Where do we meet for the simulator?
Meet at the Simulator Lab in the Aerospace Gallery (Building 7) at the Pima Air & Space Museum.
Which aircraft cockpits are available?
Available cockpits include the A-10 Warthog, the F-5, and the Cessna 172, each converted into a flight simulator.
Do I need previous flight or simulator experience?
No prior flight simulator experience is necessary; the activity is suitable for participants of varying skill levels.
What days can I book the simulator?
The provided information notes availability on weekend days—one statement indicates Friday through Sunday while another specifies Saturday–Sunday; confirm exact days and times with the museum when booking.