Fly a Jumbo without leaving the ground...

TAKE THE CONTROLS OF A REAL 747 AT REALISTIC SIMULATOR

- JAMES HOLT

YOU can fly a plane and land at any airport in the world... without leaving Manchester - or the ground.

I tried it out for myself at The Deck 747, at Barton Aerodrome, which offers the unique - if not slightly nerve-racking - experience of controlling a real former Boeing 747-400 from the cockpit.

The 180-degree simulator display wraps around the front of the aircraft, giving you the view of a pilot as you soar through the skies. Even though I was firmly on the ground beside the M62, I couldn't help but feel a sense of great responsibility, as though we would have a catastrophic crash landing if I took my eye away from the controls.

As you step on board the former British Airways plane, you could be mistaken for thinking you were 35,000 feet above ground. You are welcomed into a business class cabin, with all the original fixtures still intact, including the safety cards and even the in-flight menus.