Formula 1 star Jenson Button enjoyed racing through the skies this week after piloting a British Airways A380 flight simulator at London\u2019s Heathrow Airport.<\/p>\n
The former World Champion – who recently announced his retirement from the track – spent 90 minutes perfecting take-off, cruise and landing of the world\u2019s largest commercial aircraft.<\/p>\n
The simulator at British Airways\u2019 state-of-the-art Flight Training Centre near London\u2019s Heathrow Airport – where the airline\u2019s 4,200 professional pilots are trained – uses cutting edge motion, audio and graphics technology to deliver a completely immersive experience.<\/p>\n
Jenson was coached on the flight deck by British Airways\u2019 Head of Technical and Training, Captain Dave Thomas and Senior First Officer; William Swinburn for his first ever sim experience.<\/p>\n
The 37-year-old made three landings into Hong Kong International Airport in total and was thrilled to take control of the iconic double-decker four-engine aircraft, which forms the centrepiece of British Airways\u2019 fleet along with the Boeing 787 Dreamliners.<\/p>\n
Jenson said: \u201cIt was so cool! I\u2019ve flown all over the world but this is the first time I\u2019ve experienced what it\u2019s like to be at the controls and it was a pretty incredible feeling.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s like you\u2019re in a real aircraft and after a while you forget it isn\u2019t the real thing. I think I did pretty well for a first timer – though if there had been passengers in the back we might have had a few complaints about my first landing. Let\u2019s just say it was a bit bumpy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Captain Dave Thomas, Head of Technical and Training, was impressed by Jenson\u2019s handling of the aircraft. He added: \u201cJenson obviously has experience travelling at high speeds and he adapted well to taking control of the A380.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing a pilot is all about calmness under pressure, preparing properly and getting from A to B with safety being the foremost priority at all times, so I think coming from a Formula 1 background Jenson definitely has some of the attributes required of a pilot.\u201d<\/p>\n
British Airways\u2019 A380s are now flying between London and Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, Singapore, Washington, San Francisco, Miami and Vancouver. Visit ba.com to book your tickets.<\/p>\n
The aircraft offers a choice of British Airways\u2019 First, Club World, World Traveller Plus and World Traveller cabins and has a total of 469 seats.
\n