Random christmas present help...

[ihearttc]

Im after the wisdom of Mumsnet to help me find a rather bizarre christmas present.

DS2 is 9 (he will be 10 in Feb) and is desperate to do stuff with planes/flight.

Ideally Id like to try and book him some kind of flying lesson but I don't think he is old enough.

Any other suggestions of what I could get him? I don't really want to get him presents as such but more an experience that he will remember.

He wants to be an air traffic controller if thats any help.

We live in East Anglia so not near any of the major airports.

Are you near an RAF base? I used to live near RAF Cosford and loved going there as a child. Can't wait to take my ds when he's a little bit older.

Also potentially see if there is an event where the red arrows are performing near you that you could get tickets for maybe?

What about aviation-experience.com
London's newest attraction, Emirates Aviation Experience exhibits different zones with flight simulators, interactive aviation displays and life-size aircraft models.

Or maybe flight simulator lessons. They may be more likely to let kids do this

www.hotfrog.co.uk/Products/flight-simulators/Regions/East-Anglia

My DD had a micro-light flight for her 9th birthday and loved it. Her response when she landed was "can I go again?" It was off wowcher or groupon and she did the 30 minute flight which was awesome experience.

My DD had her 9th birthday party at Air Kix in Milton Keynes, where you go into a wind tunnel and are lifted into the sir so that you are "flying" yourself. Not at all like flying a plane, but might be worth a look.

Wow thank you for all the replies-didn't think Id get that many!

We have already done the Emirates Experience but when I asked when we were there they said he wasn't old enough to do the simulator. Will definitely investigate again though because his absolute dream apart from being an air traffic controller is to fly an Emirates A380 (yes that is very specific isn't it!)

Didn't think of RAF bases...that would definitely interest him. We are in Norfolk so I think there is a few around here. His best day out ever has been the RAF museum in London. Absolutely brilliant place and completely free!

Micro-Light flights would definitely appeal as well-will have a look on group on etc.

The place in MK sounds amazing...even if we don't do that for christmas I think he would love that.

At least everyone doesn't think Im completely crazy for wanting to do something like that. He doesn't really do toys as such...he loves football/xbox and already has an iPad. That makes him sound really spoilt but he really isn't. My husband works away a lot in the Middle East so we got it so he can always contact him on Skype/Facetime.

There is nothing he really wants and Id rather give him memories than stuff which he isn't going to use.

The RAE have a museum in Farnborough, Hants. Don't know what it is like, as I have never been, but my FIL helps run it and he is very dedicated! Bit far for a day trip from Norfolk, but worth it if you are ever in the area.

Can you buy air controller/flying type games for the X box? Sounds like the sort of thing there should be!

Imperial War Museum at Duxford? They definitely offer sightseeing flights in old war planes without any age restrictions, because I know someone that did it with his grandchildren (who were under 9). I think they flew over Cambridge, not sure if you can fly as far as Norfolk - would be pretty cool to fly over your house :)

Tickets for an air show?

Of no help to you but I don't think you're crazy! I think that's what Christmas' should be about, you sound lovely, and so does your ds :-)

How far are you from Bungay? Just up the road is the Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum. A whole field full of planes!

We are about 25 mins from Bungay and go there lots...haven't thought to ask if they know of anywhere that does flights though so will contact them.

Oh the sightseeing flights at Duxford would be ideal-that sounds amazing. I will look on their website. Thats not too far from us cause we are on the Norfolk/Suffolk border.

He has got some flying games for the xbox but what he really wants is a flight simulator or an underground simulator (thats his other huge passion!)...I have a geek bless him! But we have an iMac and non of the simulator games are compatible with it.