This North Carolina Center Lets You Experience A Boeing 737 Flight Simulator

Few things tap into childhood curiosity quite like the idea of flying a jet. For many people, that fascination never really fades.

Aviation holds a special kind of pull. Kids watch planes through terminal windows.

Adults still wonder what it would feel like to sit in the cockpit and take control.

Here, that curiosity is turned into something far more hands-on. Its Throttle Up program gives participants time inside a Boeing 737-800 Flight Training Device.

The North Carolina experience is guided by instructors who also work as active airline pilots. That detail gives the program real credibility and a stronger sense of realism.

The result feels more substantial than a novelty outing. It gives aviation fans, future pilots, and curious first-timers a closer look at the real thing.

It also makes the dream feel less distant and far more possible.

What Is The Throttle Up Program

The Throttle Up program at Aero Strategies Group gives everyday people a real taste of airline flying.

Located at 200 Trans Air Dr Suite 800 in Morrisville, North Carolina, the center opens its simulator to aviation enthusiasts, aspiring pilots, and curious minds who want more than just a video game experience.

The program is built around a fixed-base Boeing 737-800 Flight Training Device that was constructed using real aircraft components.

Every switch, display, and control system inside the cockpit functions the way it would on an actual commercial jet.

Participants are not just observers during their session but active pilots who handle everything from startup procedures to taxi, takeoff, cruise, and landing.

Sessions are guided by certified instructors who are also active airline pilots, which means the coaching reflects real-world operations rather than simplified demonstrations.

The Throttle Up program tends to appeal to a wide range of people, from complete beginners to experienced general aviation pilots looking to step up to a larger aircraft.

Packages vary in length and complexity, so participants can choose the level of challenge that fits their comfort and curiosity.

The setup at Aero Strategies Group is notably clean and professional, with a facility that feels more like a real training environment than a novelty attraction.

For those who have ever watched a plane lift off and wondered what it feels like from the left seat, Throttle Up offers a surprisingly honest and detailed answer.

The Flight Training Device Up Close

The simulator at Aero Strategies Group is far from a consumer-grade setup built from plastic panels and monitors.

The Boeing 737-800 Flight Training Device was assembled using components sourced from actual aircraft, giving the cockpit an authenticity that is immediately noticeable when a participant steps inside for the first time.

Every overhead panel, throttle quadrant, and instrument display is functional, meaning the learning curve feels real rather than simplified.

The visual system provides detailed scenery with a tablet screen available at both the captain’s and first officer seats, which adds to the sense of depth and spatial awareness during flight.

Sound design inside the simulator also mirrors what a real flight deck sounds like, from engine startup tones to the hum of systems during cruise altitude.

The device qualifies as an Advanced Aviation Training Device, which means licensed pilots can log certain hours in it toward their flight training records.

This is a meaningful distinction because it separates the ASG simulator from entertainment-only setups found at some commercial attractions.

The flight dynamics are calibrated to reflect how the 737-800 actually handles, including its response to crosswinds, turbulence scenarios, and engine-out emergencies if the instructor chooses to introduce them.

Spending time in this cockpit tends to shift a person’s perspective on commercial aviation quite quickly. The sheer number of systems involved in a routine departure becomes very clear once the hands are on the yoke and the runway is ahead.

Meeting The Instructors

A great simulator experience depends on the instructor, and Aero Strategies Group takes that seriously.

Tom Armstrong, the owner and lead instructor at ASG, is an active airline captain who brings both professional credentials and a genuine enthusiasm for teaching to every session.

Tom has a reputation for adjusting his instruction style to match the person in the left seat, whether that person is an absolute beginner or a seasoned veteran.

He walks participants through the pre-flight briefing, explains cockpit systems without overwhelming jargon, and keeps the pacing comfortable throughout the experience.

The goal is always to educate and engage rather than to rush through a checklist for the sake of appearances.

Additional instructors at ASG bring the same professional background and approachable teaching style to group sessions.

When larger groups visit, such as college aviation programs or homeschool co-ops, the team structures the session to make sure each participant gets meaningful time at the controls.

Instructors have been known to create custom scenarios and friendly competitions for group events, which adds a layer of fun to what is already a memorable activity.

The combination of real-world airline experience and patient instruction makes the time inside the simulator feel valuable rather than theatrical.

Participants consistently leave with a stronger understanding of how commercial flight actually works, and many return for additional sessions with a clearer sense of what they want to focus on next.

Booking And What To Expect

Booking a session at Aero Strategies Group is simple, with options online or by phone or email.

The Throttle Up program runs on non-training days, which means the simulator is available to public participants when it is not being used for professional airline crew recurrency training.

Participants do not need any prior aviation experience to enjoy a session, and the program is designed to be accessible to a wide age range.

Younger teens with a passion for aviation tend to do very well in the environment, especially with an instructor who knows how to efficiently transfer his knowledge.

Adults who have never touched a flight control in their lives are guided through every step from the moment they sit down.

On arrival, participants check in at the facility and receive a pre-flight briefing that covers the basics of the aircraft and what the session will include.

The briefing is a good time to ask questions about aviation, the aircraft, or what to expect during takeoff and landing.

Participants can often choose the airport they want to depart from and the weather conditions they want to fly in, which adds a personal touch to the session.

The facility itself is described as clean and well-organized, with a professional atmosphere that feels welcoming rather than intimidating. Arriving a few minutes early is generally a good idea to allow time to settle in before the briefing begins.

The Packages Available

Aero Strategies Group offers several Throttle Up packages, each providing a different level of hands-on flight experience.

The Discovery Flight package is the most popular entry point, covering startup, taxi, takeoff, a period of controlled flight, and landing at a destination airport of the participant’s choice.

More advanced packages, such as the Aviator and Commander options, extend the session length and add complexity to the scenarios.

These packages may include multiple takeoffs and landings, autopilot use followed by manual flight, and the option to introduce challenging weather or system failures.

Pilots with existing licenses tend to gravitate toward these longer packages because the added scenarios give them more to work with technically.

Gift certificates are available for all packages, which has made ASG a popular choice for birthdays, anniversaries, and holiday gifts among families with aviation-minded members.

Several participants have described receiving simulator time as one of the most memorable gifts they have ever gotten, and the center provides a printed certificate at the end of each session as a keepsake.

Pricing for packages is best confirmed directly with ASG since availability and offerings could shift over time.

The general consensus from those who have completed sessions is that the cost feels well-matched to the quality and depth of the experience.

For context, licensed pilots should note that certain packages qualify for loggable hours toward FAA training requirements, which adds practical value beyond the fun factor.

Group Events And Special Occasions

It has become a go-to spot for group outings that go beyond the usual escape room or bowling alley.

College aviation programs, corporate groups, homeschool co-ops, and birthday parties have all found the simulator environment to be a compelling shared experience.

For larger groups, the ASG team structures the visit so that each person spends meaningful time at the controls rather than simply watching from the back of the room.

The instructors rotate participants efficiently while keeping the energy high. They have been known to design custom challenges or friendly competitions that give the group a shared goal throughout the session.

These added touches tend to make the time feel cohesive rather than fragmented.

Group bookings are handled through direct contact with the center, and it is worth reaching out in advance to discuss the size of the group and any specific goals for the visit.

ASG can tailor the session structure to match the group’s background. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a beginner-friendly introduction for curious non-pilots or a more technically demanding rotation for students already enrolled in aviation programs.

The facility has enough space to accommodate groups comfortably. The professional setup means the experience carries weight even for participants who arrive skeptical about a fixed-base simulator.

Many group visitors end up scheduling individual return sessions after experiencing the simulator for the first time in a group setting.

How The Simulator Compares To Real Flight Training

One standout aspect of the ASG simulator is how it bridges entertainment and real pilot training.

The Boeing 737-800 Flight Training Device holds FAA certification as an Advanced Aviation Training Device, which places it in a different category than the fixed-base simulators found at entertainment venues or gaming centers.

For licensed pilots, this distinction matters because AATD-certified devices allow certain maneuvers and procedures to be logged toward instrument rating requirements and flight review credits under FAA regulations.

Participants who hold a private pilot certificate or higher should ask the instructor about logging eligibility before their session begins. The applicable rules depend on the type of training being conducted and the currency of the pilot’s certificates.

For non-pilots, the AATD certification is still meaningful because it signals that the simulator’s flight model and systems are held to a higher standard of accuracy than purely recreational setups.

The controls respond the way they are supposed to, and the instrument readings reflect realistic aerodynamic behavior. The procedures taught during the session mirror what actual airline crews follow on every departure and arrival.

The experience does not replace formal flight training, and ASG does not position it that way.

What the simulator does offer is a credible and detailed window into commercial aviation that goes far beyond anything a home simulation setup can provide.

For someone considering a career in aviation, spending an afternoon in this cockpit could be a genuinely useful step in deciding whether to pursue formal training.

Planning Your Visit

Getting to Aero Strategies Group is relatively easy for visitors coming from the Raleigh-Durham area or beyond.

The location near RDU makes it a practical stop for travelers who are already in the area for other reasons. The proximity to the airport adds a certain atmospheric touch to the visit since commercial traffic is visible in the surrounding airspace.

Parking at the facility is available, and the building is straightforward to navigate once on the property.

Sessions are scheduled in advance rather than on a walk-in basis, so reaching out through the ASG website or by calling ahead is the right approach for anyone planning a visit.

The phone number for the center can be found online, and the team is responsive to questions about scheduling, package selection, and group accommodations.

Checking availability a few weeks out is a reasonable approach, especially for weekend sessions or group bookings that require more coordination.

The overall pacing of a visit tends to be unhurried and focused, with instructors taking the time to make sure participants understand what they are doing.

For those who can’t wait to start planning a trip specifically around the simulator experience, building in a little extra time before or after the session to explore the Morrisville and Cary area is worth considering.