Having never tried a flight simulator before, I was pretty excited when Tom from Runway Flight Simulators – one of our newest experience providers just over the Pennines in Stockport – invited us to come and check out their new setup.
Husband Chris was more than happy to tag along as an extra cameraman, and even our teenage daughter Florence volunteered to help with the filming (on the condition she got a go in the cockpit of the Boeing 737, of course!).
What stood out straight away is how perfectly Runway Sims fits with what we’re all about at Uniquely Local. It’s a small, independent business run by people who are seriously passionate about what they do. It’s not just a flight simulator – it’s a full-on experience, crafted with care and loads of attention to detail. Here’s what we thought…
You’d never guess what’s inside…
Tucked away on an unassuming industrial estate in Stockport, just a stone’s throw from Manchester Airport, Runway Flight Simulators doesn’t shout about what it offers from the outside. But step through the door and you’ll quickly realise you’ve stumbled upon something seriously special.
The team behind the experience is a passionate mix of seasoned pilots, aviation enthusiasts and simulation pros. Their shared mission? To give every single visitor a first-class taste of flight – and they absolutely deliver.
From the moment you check in at the front desk, the whole experience feels premium. You’re welcomed into the departure lounge – complete with comfy seating and complimentary drinks – and it already feels more polished than most airport lounges I’ve been in!
But the real excitement begins when you board. Whether you’re in the cockpit of a Boeing 737 or one of the other simulators (a Vulcan B2 and two Spitfire’s are available), the attention to detail is just next-level. The visuals out of the aircraft windows mirror your chosen flight path perfectly, and the 737 even has space for up to 12 passengers to come along for the ride. They can watch a live cockpit feed and see everything unfold in real time.
The instructors are what really elevate it though, knowledgeable, enthusiastic and genuinely buzzing to share the experience, they make the whole experience accessible – even if you’ve never touched a joystick before
Even if flying a plane has never crossed your mind, I honestly can’t recommend this enough. It’s just pure, unfiltered fun – the kind that takes you completely out of your day-to-day and gives you a proper adrenaline buzz. And, we all need a bit more of that in our lives, don’t we?!
A huge thank you to Tom and the team at Runway Flight Simulators. If you fancy yourself as a pilot for the day, take a look at the range of flight simulator experiences available through Uniquely Local.