Flightdeck + Rogue Racing — Attraction in Anaheim

The experience doesn’t live up to the hype!

We live in San Diego and were really excited about visiting Flight Deck. We signed up for the Fighter Pilot experience with high expectations. Things got off to a bad start when we tried to find the location. Mindful of the fact that if we arrived late, we would not be able to participate and lose our money, we left earlier than necessary. We used the address provided on their site and Google navigation took us to the GardenWalk which is an indoor/outdoor shopping and dining complex. We didn’t see any signage for Flight Deck and after driving around, we called them to find out where to go. The owner answered the phone and told us that for some reason, nav apps were taking people to the wrong entrance and to use Google. I told him I WAS using Google and asked if Flight Deck was inside the GardenWalk. I said if so, I’d just park in the structure and find him. He says it’s too confusing to find his location that way and asked us to drive another block and turn on Kattela. We’re trying to reorient ourselves and figure out where Katella is so we’re asking him questions while driving. He starts trying to navigate us but it’s awkward and although he insisted we do this, he seemed impatient and annoyed. We finally got to the correct entrance and it was just another parking structure for GardenWalk! If we’d just parked at the first structure, we would already be at their location! We parked, took the elevator up a couple floors and then found the FlightDeck location (with just a few minutes to spare). Just finding the place was a confusing, stressful experience. Upon arrival, I noticed their location was right across from House of Blues in the GardenWalk. They’re an anchor location with large visible signage. After entering Flight Deck, we were greeted by the owner and identified ourselves as the people he had just navigated. I told him that if he’d just said he was in GardenWalk when first asked, I could have parked and found his location. I then suggested he tell people he was just across from the HOB since this is highly visible and easily located in the complex. He said he was doing that so I asked him why he didn’t tell us! Silence. My final words to him were that he needed to do a better job helping people navigate to his location.

Now onto the Fighter Pilot experience. It started out fine. We donned flight suits and went through some ground training. Each of us had a control stick that was identical to one’s in the simulators. The trainer took us through the use of various buttons as well as how to turn, increase and decrease speed and elevation, fire missiles and canons and a few other functions. Then it was flight time. We each got into an impressive looking cockpit simulator complete with canopy. We were really excited. After a few instructions, they auto launched us from a carrier and off we went! Pretty cool so far but then, as we began to fly, the experience started to fall short.

The simulator never moves during flight so you don’t get any physical feedback when you turn, accelerate or land. You’re basically sitting in a chair watching a big screen in front of you. The stick was sloppy and it was hard to remember all the controls, their function and order. I was continually looking for the fight and found myself making long, slow turns to get back into the action. I didn’t intend to make these slow turns but that’s all I could do in the sim. Frustrating and not much fun. As the 30 minute flight went on, we realized it wasn’t going to deliver the experience we expected, and was represented, on their site. Bottom line for us is that it wasn’t worth the money. It’s not much different than playing a flight sim at the house. If you’re an experienced gamer who’s used to working multiple buttons/keys with both hands, you’ll probably enjoy it. If not, think twice. I spent $130 for two of us and the experience fell way short. It was a meh experience. There’s a lot of 5 star reviews so other people clearly think differently. This was...

I purchased two Viper 1 Air Combat sessions, one for myself and one for my father, who was flying in from the East Coast to visit. The Viper 1 session is a specific high-end session which takes a little over 3 hours. It includes detailed training and 3 "flights". First, I want to explain the "above and beyond" treatment we received. Second, I'll go through the experience, and lastly I'll give information on things to be aware of when you go (and I know you will - it's so much fun!) This review is only on the longer Viper 1 Air Combat sessions, I haven't done a shorter session yet (but will in the future!)

I had called FlightDeck weeks before our scheduled appointment, and speaking to their friendly receptionist, I was informed that I could call a couple of days before our actual session to schedule a time. Fast forward to my father now in Los Angeles, visiting me, with this program being the big reason he came all the way from Washington DC. When I called to lock down our date, I was informed that the Viper 1 program requires more of a heads up to reserve a time, as they shut down the facility to focus on those attending the program! I was immediately concerned - she informed me that there really wasn't much they could do, large parties were already scheduled and she couldn't get us in until AFTER my father would be flying home. She kept me on the phone for a while, exploring options, until she let me know she'd call me back.

When she did, she had fantastic news. They would be able to take us the next day. She had spoken to one of the founders/owners, and he decided to go above and beyond and come in to have a special session for us. When we arrived, we were surprised to find out that the trainers we met had all decided to come in - just for us! It was their day off, but they felt it was important to give us the best experience possible. We were truly amazed - not only where they coming in on their day off - they were also the nicest, happiest group we'd encountered in quite some time. We were also pleasantly surprised to know that a few additional pilots had come in to do some training - talk about extra special treatment!

The program is simply awesome. You suit up in flight suits, get your leg boards to take notes, and sit in the briefing room to learn from your instructor. We had "Sockeye", who was a joy to learn from. Photographs are welcome, many times they offered to take our photo, which was very helpful.

Be aware that you truly "climb" into the simulators on small ladders, replicating the feeling of really getting into a fully operational F16 cockpit. It can be a bit tricky to get in and out, just an FYI. My father is 6'7" and fit just fine. Having the cockpit canopy close and hear your flight leader speak to you via headset really adds to the experience.

Pro tips: -- They do have soft drinks/snacks on site. If you need a break, simply ask for it. You do get breaks between each of the 1 hour training/flight sessions. -- Ask the instructors anything at any time. Don't be nervous, they're incredibly welcoming. -- Speak with the instructors after your flights to get candid feedback on your flight. It was really exciting to talk to them and a pleasure to hear their tips. -- Dress casually. You may want to wear a long sleeve shirt, but no need for a jacket. Although it's cool in the space, the flight suit keeps you warm! -- Bring your camera! Not only can you get shots of you during the day, at the end of the Viper 1 program you receive a call sign and plaque. It's a great opportunity to get photos with your instructors. -- You don't have to have any flying experience to enjoy the day. The instructors are thorough, fun, and incredibly helpful.

I have to say this was a fantastic experience throughout. It's a joy to recommend FlightDeck to any and all. A huge thanks to the entire crew that was...

Went to this place last Sunday. Planning my fiancées 30th birthday party. His uncle is a top gun pilot and he loves everything to do with military jets. Well basically anything to do with flying. The receptionist was rude and gave me a smug laugh whenever I asked a question. At one point she Put her finger up to me and told me to wait when she had to answer the phone. I was so disgusted. Not only that our 10 year old son was with us and was walking around looking at stuff and she yelled at him saying can't you read it says don't touch. Which if you know kids they are curious and all she had to say was please don't touch sweetie. Especially to someone planning a huge party. So I put the brochure down and walked away from the desk to browse around for a little and show him the memorabilia. While his dad ran to my truck to get his phone josh was asking me about the pilots seat in a fighter jet and I didn't know much his dad knows all that. In the meantime two of the "flight instructors" came out kinda looked half asleep and bored. My son was in awe of them and they just turned around and walked out of the room. Now I get it if they are indeed former pilots I can understand them being totally bored considering they used to fly fighter jets! However, it just seems if you are ores and you see a curious little boy you would want to explain the things you know and possibly educate him in your down time. Because I know my fiancées uncle never gets bored of talking about his flight experiences. I was planning a party for about 20 and let me tell you just after my experience visiting to inquire on a party I don't think I will ever go back there again. I was so excited about it and thought whoever came up with this idea was a genius! But now I'm so disgusted with the staff behavior that I don't even want to take my fiancée and son there let Alone a full party. I will just take them to see the blue angels. Thanks to his uncle and his connections at least the blue angel pilots come and talk to my son and give him cool souvenirs and show him their planes. Your business should be really really crowded! The concept is genius but your staff needs some serious help on customer service. And you definitely need a receptionist who greets people with a smile. And has no problem answering questions and is willing to get off her behind instead of playing on Social media and yelling at curious little boys. And tell the pilots to interact with people in the lobby to entice them to want to stay or come back for that matter. I hope the owner of this company heeds my advice. I was panning his party which isn't until august 19th and we were going to come back this weekend just the 3 of us to see what it was like. Now because of Sunday's experience we are no longer which was so disappointing. You may be able to get people in the door but you should also get them to stay you may need to vet your staff a little better. Or at least your very rude and smug receptionist. You might just need to give a little nudge to your pilots 😎 They came from a life of flying so I can understand their boredom on a slow Sunday afternoon. They should just turn the boredom into educational opportunities for the laymen's in the lobby. Your business could be great but it's not good when people who are excited to go walk out and throw away the brochure. Just some friendly advice. I was very disappointed.😕

Thank you, Stephanie...