Virgin Experience Days

Virgin Experience Days provides flying experience gifts across the UK. Its aviation collection includes aircraft flying lessons, helicopter experiences, aerobatic flights and flight simulators. Some activities allow participants to take the aircraft controls with an instructor, while others focus on experiencing flight as a passenger. The company also sells experience gifts outside aviation, but its flying range is aimed at people who want to try different forms of flight.

Flying Lessons with an Instructor

Virgin Experience Days lists flying lessons for people who are curious about learning to fly an aircraft.

During these experiences, a qualified pilot handles most of the flight. Depending on the activity, participants can take control for part of the lesson with guidance from the instructor.

This gives someone with an interest in aviation a chance to experience aircraft handling rather than simply sitting in a passenger seat.

The company lists flight experiences lasting from 10 to 60 minutes, depending on the aircraft and activity.

Its flying experience information also discusses practical details such as suitable clothing and age restrictions.

Comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes are recommended. Age requirements vary between experiences.

Commercial Aircraft Flight Simulators

Flight simulators are a large part of the Virgin Experience Days aviation range.

The company lists simulator sessions based on the Boeing 737 and Boeing 747.

Boeing 737 experiences include sessions lasting 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes.

Boeing 747 simulator options include sessions lasting 20, 45, 60, 90 and 120 minutes.

One Boeing 737-800 experience includes a recording of the simulated flight.

These sessions are intended for people who want to experience operating an airliner in a simulated environment.

A simulator provides a different type of aviation experience from an aircraft lesson. It allows participants to focus on a particular aircraft type without taking an actual flight.

Fighter Jets and Aerobatic Flights

Virgin Experience Days also lists activities connected with military aircraft and aerobatic flying.

Its simulator collection includes a 60 Minute TopGun Fighter Jet Flight Simulator and a 60 Minute Spitfire Flight Simulator.

There is also an experience listed as Fly in a Military Fighter Jet.

For people interested in aircraft maneuvers, the company lists an Aerobatic Flight Experience and an Extended Aerobatic Flight Experience.

These activities cover a different side of aviation from commercial airline simulation.

Choosing a Flying Experience Gift

Virgin Experience Days provides individual experiences and gift collections.

A Gift Collection voucher allows the recipient to choose from a range of activities.

The company also uses a gift-now, book-later approach, allowing an experience to be selected before its date is arranged.

Its flying collection includes helicopters, airplanes, freefall activities and simulators.

For aviation fans, Virgin Experience Days provides several ways to explore flying. Someone interested in airliners might choose a simulator, while another person might prefer a flying lesson, helicopter flight or aerobatic experience.