It's an out-of-reach fantasy for most people, but a new facility in Salford means members of the public can get behind the controls of the world's largest passenger plane.
Simulator Adventures, founded by identical twin brothers Alan and Stewart Russell, is an exact replica of an Airbus A380 cockpit and due to open to the public early next month.
The flight simulator has even been built onto a moving platform, so the cockpit will tilt and turn as you bank your flight left and right.
Available for groups of up to three people - with a qualified pilot at your side for those with no aviation experience - visitors will be able to tailor their flight down to weather, time of day and destination.
You can practice taxiing, taking off and landing at almost any airport in the world, and even learn what would happen in a disaster situation.
The simulator is capable of mimicking the conditions of a failed engine or multitude of other (highly unlikely) safety issues.
The Russell brothers both have long careers in aviation, having joined the RAF together at the age of 17.
Since then, their job roles have included off-shore engineering, piloting helicopters, and navigating search-and-rescue aircraft.
Most recently, Alan has flown commercial passenger planes for Airtours - now Thomas Cook - from Manchester Airport.
"We've both always loved planes and flying," Alan said. "We grew up in a council house in Glasgow, we really didn't have much money.
"There was no heating in the bedrooms - you'd wake up and there'd be ice inside the windows. We were just used to it, we didn't know any different.
"There were five kids in that council house. But it was right underneath the flight path from Glasgow Airport. Me and my brother used to sit outside and watch the planes going over.
"My mum was a tea lady and my dad saved up for weeks and weeks so that I could have a five-minute flight in a helicopter. I've been hooked ever since."
According to The British Airline Pilots' Association (BALPA), which represents more than 75 per cent of pilots in the UK, it can cost up to £100,000 to train as a commercial pilot.
So how did these two boys from a Glaswegian estate end up in the cockpits of the world's largest passenger aircraft?
"We were both extremely fortunate to get sponsorship from some of the companies we worked for," said Alan. "We've worked our way around too, starting off in the RAF at almost the same time when we were teenagers.
"Now, because of various medical issues, we don't fly much anymore. So this simulator means we can fly again!
"We're using all our years of experience to create an experience that will appeal to so many people."
The flight simulator is suitable for both trained pilots and complete novices, with qualified Airbus pilots on hand to offer advice and instruction.
It's suitable for children over 5ft in height - though children under 16 will need to be accompanied by an adult.
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Because it's modelled on a real cockpit, space inside is limited. Anyone requiring disabled access is advised to get in touch.
Alan said: "It is an exact replica of a real cockpit - the seats, the panels, the controls. It's like you're walking into a real cockpit, which I don't think people appreciate until they actually see it.
"We get people walking in and saying: 'Ooh it's just like the real thing!'
"It's a complex thing to build and astronomically expensive, which is why we only have one aircraft simulator.
"The cockpit is on a moving platform which makes things much more complicated - every single thing has to be secured."
Although not available at the minute, Alan and Stewart hope to offer courses aimed at helping people conquer fears of flying in the future.
"We're building a kind of cabin section, and would like to delve into the psychology of fear of flying and help people through it. If they'd feel comfortable, we'd get them into the cockpit so that can see how safe air travel really is.
"They are unfounded fears, based on misinformation. Honestly - you can shut down one engine while you're taxiing down a runway and the plane will still get off the ground."
Simulator Adventures will open at North Stage, Broadway at Salford Quays on May 7. Sessions are priced from £99, and can take up to three people at a time.
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