From hobby to airline boss: Ralf Schneider flies in the A320 simulator!

From hobby to airline boss: Ralf Schneider flies in the A320 simulator!

In Bautzen the dream of flying is now becoming a reality for many. 48-year-old Ralf Schneider, a real technology freak, has turned his passion for flying into a thriving business. Today, July 16, 2025, he and a passenger made their way to the precise landing at Leipzig/Halle Airport in his state-of-the-art flight simulator. This is an original cockpit of an Airbus A320, which Schneider had set up after investing around 100,000 euros in his aviation factory, inspired by his aviation-loving father.

“The weather is clear, but the turbulence makes for an exciting landing,” reports Ralf Schneider after the sightseeing flight. Although the trained mechanic does not have a pilot's license, he learned to fly through his years of experience with flight simulators. It all started in the 1990s with a simple program on the computer. In 2012 he bought his first real simulator and founded the company Taylor Air in 2016. The simulator was originally housed in his basement and has now been attracting interested parties in a modern room in Bautzen since 2018.

An experience for everyone

The flights in the A320 simulator are accessible to everyone - no previous knowledge is necessary. There is a short briefing before the flight to ensure passengers are fully prepared for the experience. Whether sun, wind or snow, the different weather conditions can be simulated. The detailed cockpit with realistic instruments, functions and sounds ensures an authentic flying feeling. Those interested can even bring along up to three companions who can sit in the cockpit.

Eberhard Robitzsch, an experienced pilot with more than 70,000 flight hours and years of experience at Eurowings, is responsible for training and support during flights. With his pragmatic approach and extensive experience, he helps aspiring pilots quickly find their way around the cockpit.

Unique opportunities await

The latest technologies make it possible to simulate realistic movements and acoustic effects. This experience is not only suitable for hobby pilots, but also for corporate events and special occasions. Everyone can enjoy the feeling of being the captain of an Airbus commercial aircraft and flying in an exciting environment.

The offering is similar to that of the large flight schools, such as those provided by Lufthansa Aviation Training in Frankfurt, Munich and other cities. They also offer high-tech simulators that simulate realistic conditions under different weather conditions and times of day.

If you are curious and would like to sit in the cockpit yourself, you can simply make an appointment for a flight in the simulator by email. Because one thing is certain: this experience is not only fun, but will also last for a long time.

For more information about the right address for flight simulators in Bautzen, readers can find out more here: Sächsische.de, bautzen.de and lufthansa-aviation-training.com.