05/10/2026
Boeing 737 vs F/A-18 Hornet — Airliner vs Fighter Jet
Two cockpits, two completely different cultures of flight. The Boeing 737 is a commercial airliner — calm, procedural, two pilots, a cup of coffee, and a flight plan filed three hours before takeoff. The F/A-18 Hornet is a 4th-generation fighter jet — single-seat, hands on stick and throttle, aerobatics, dogfights, and decisions measured in seconds.
If you have to pick one for your first session, this is how to decide.
Quick Verdict
- Pick the Boeing 737 if you want the full airline captain experience — checklists, autopilot, ILS approaches, the satisfying procedural mastery of a commercial flight.
- Pick the F/A-18 Hornet if you want adrenaline — high-G turns, missile launches, low-altitude attack runs, dogfighting in VR. It's the closest you'll get to Top Gun without enlisting.
The Boeing 737 Simulator
The Boeing 737 simulator is a full-size hardware cockpit on a motion platform. You're in the captain's seat, working through APU start, engine spool-up, taxi, takeoff, climb, cruise, descent, and landing. It's a calm, deliberate experience — the kind of flying that becomes meditative once you settle into the rhythm of an airline cockpit.
What you'll do:
- Run the real airline checklist
- Program the FMC, dial up the MCP, follow ATC instructions
- Fly real-world routes with realistic weather and traffic
- Land at major airports with proper ILS or visual approaches
Specs:
- 60 min from ₴2600 / 120 min from ₴4900
- Min age 8 (with adult); 12+ unaccompanied
- Single pilot or pilot+observer
The F/A-18 Hornet Simulator
The F/A-18 simulator is a single-seat fighter cockpit running in VR with a motion platform. Strap into the helmet, grip the HOTAS (Hands On Throttle And Stick), and you're in a Hornet over the open sea, mountains, or a contested air corridor. Push the stick over and the plane rolls; pull back and you feel Gs as the platform tilts.
What you'll do:
- Aerobatics — barrel rolls, loops, Immelmann turns
- Air-to-air intercepts and dogfights
- Air-to-ground attack runs on coastal or mountainous targets
- Carrier approaches (if your nerve holds)
Specs:
- 50 min from ₴2000 / 100 min from ₴3800
- Min age 12 (more demanding physically and procedurally)
- VR headset + motion platform
- Single seat — observers can watch the screen mirror
Side-by-Side
| Feature | Boeing 737 | F/A-18 Hornet | |---|---|---| | Aircraft type | Commercial airliner | 4th-gen multirole fighter | | Cockpit | Full physical cockpit | VR + HOTAS + motion | | Pilots per seat | 1 (+ observer chair) | 1 | | Min age | 8 (with adult) | 12 | | Session length | 60 / 120 min | 50 / 100 min | | Starting price | ₴2600 | ₴2000 | | Pace | Calm, procedural | High-energy, reactive | | Best for | Aviation enthusiasts, captains-at-heart | Adrenaline seekers, Top Gun fans, military buffs | | Vibe | "Captain on the flight deck" | "Naval aviator over hostile airspace" |
Who Should Pick Which?
Boeing 737 is right for you if:
- You want to feel like a real airline captain — checklists, ATC, autopilot
- You enjoy the journey of flight, not just the maneuvers
- You're booking a longer experience for two (one flies, one rides shotgun)
- You'd rather master the systems than chase Gs
F/A-18 Hornet is right for you if:
- You came for the Top Gun energy
- You're comfortable in VR (no motion sickness, glasses-friendly)
- You want hard turns, fast maneuvers, and weapons systems
- You're 12+ and physically up for some intensity
The combo move: book a 60-min Boeing 737 to feel the calm, then a 50-min F/A-18 to feel the chaos. Different parts of your brain — same building.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the F/A-18 simulator more physically demanding? Yes. VR + motion + sustained turns can be intense. We don't recommend it after a heavy meal. Most guests are fine; if you're prone to motion sickness, the Boeing 737 is gentler.
Do I need flight or gaming experience for the F/A-18? No. The instructor walks you through HOTAS basics in the briefing. Within 10 minutes of takeoff most guests are flying maneuvers.
Can two people share one F/A-18 session? The cockpit is single-seat, so only one person flies at a time. The other can watch the screen mirror. For two-pilot experiences book the Boeing 737 instead.
Which is cheaper per minute? Boeing 737 60 min = ~₴43/min. F/A-18 50 min = ~₴40/min. Roughly tied. Pick by experience type, not price.
Can I gift either as a certificate? Yes — buy at aviasim.com.ua/gift for an open date.
Book at Aviasim Kyiv
Whether you go for the procedural mastery of the Boeing 737 or the fighter-jet rush of the F/A-18 Hornet, both are real motion-platform simulators with full instructor guidance. Sessions are by appointment only — book in advance at aviasim.com.ua/order.
📍 Herzen Street 35, Kyiv — Mon–Sat 10:00–22:00 📞 +380 50 737 0800 🎫 Book your flight