Have you always dreamed of taking part in a virtual F-16 battle? Would you like to play commercial airline captain for a day as you try to land on the The busiest airport in the worldYou don’t have to wait too long or travel too far to fulfill your dream. AvGeek fantasies.
When the Hotel Polaris Opening this fall, the Polaris Hotel will feature a total of three flight simulators, the first in a U.S. hotel. The Polaris Hotel is a 375-room luxury property located at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Two of the simulators will represent the US Air Force’s F-16 Fighting Falcons. A full cockpit mockup with working controls and switches, as well as a mixed reality headshot with a 360-degree view of the formation flight, will offer a truly immersive experience.
Fighter simulator networks are also interconnected, meaning two pilots can fly together, take part in the same mission, challenge each other, take a ride through the valley, try to hit ground targets or engage enemy aircraft.
The third simulator will be a fully functional cockpit of a Boeing 737-MAXwith a pilot observation point and a seamless, curved display with a 200-degree field of view. Guests will be able to participate in a variety of different flight activities, such as taking off or landing in some of the The coolest and most challenging airports in the worldThey will also have the option to take a full flight departing from any domestic commercial airport and landing at another commercial airport – this is great fun for aviation fans as well as a nostalgic virtual trip for a current or retired pilot.
“The simulators are designed to offer aviation enthusiasts and curious people an immersive piloting experience,” said General Manager Curtis Bova. “This level of technology allows them to feel as if they are flying through the air.”
Although rates have not yet been set, the simulators will be available to hotel guests, visitors and groups; reservations can be made online. Pricing will be related to the time it takes to complete an activity; a specific number of hours can be reserved to complete the selected mission. For example, a two-hour flight from Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) can be taken.
About 25 miles from Colorado Springs Airport (COS) and 80 miles from Denver International Airport (DEN), the hotel is intended to be a getaway to Pike’s Peak and Colorado Springs. It is part of a mixed-use development that includes the Air Force Academy’s new 32,000-square-foot Hosmer Visitor Center. Its architectural design is inspired by the Rocky Mountains and the mid-century modern elements of the Air Force Academy.
There are fun nods to aviation throughout the hotel. You’ll find brass desks in the rooms that resemble airplane wings and a mosaic art wall next to the conference area that uses artificial intelligence to create keywords specific to the aeronautical industry.
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In addition to the simulators, the hotel will feature six food and beverage concepts. The Aviator will offer panoramic views and craft cocktails, while Pamela’s will serve upscale American cuisine. There will be a rooftop bar with designs inspired by the constellations, which is a fun touch.
The hotel’s full-service, six-room spa and wellness center will offer fitness classes, yoga, group walks and dietary recommendations. There will also be an outdoor pool, sun deck and 26,000 square feet of meeting space.
However, the hotel’s main attraction is undoubtedly the unique opportunities it offers to aviation enthusiasts and aspiring military and commercial pilots. “Inspired by the hotel’s name, we want to encourage each guest to experience it in their own way and find their true north,” says Bova.
So, get ready to go.
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