Smithsonian National Air and Space flight simulators

Has anyone been to Washington, DC (USA) or Dulles, VA (USA) and used those flight simulators at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museums?



I can't say for sure how close the experience matches to really flying one of these planes 40,000 feet in the air. I've never done that in real life. However, I can say the experience was great! Worth the $8 at least once. The vehicle only uses a 35-40 inch TV but it still felt somewhat real when you're flying upside down and turning. My pilot and I played the F-18 dog fighting simulation and shot down 5 planes.

http://airandspace.si.edu/visit/mall/things-to-do/simulators.cfm

Here are some YouTube clips:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19clWUMfo6Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5CgF47hhxA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kq5UVoFnarw

I'm hoping the Smithsonian Institute purchased a couple dev kits to try their systems with VR HMDs and that they would modify their systems to use the consumer Rift instead of the TVs. I can only imagine that it would be INCREDIBLE! :D

Closest thing a civilian can get to without signing up with the Army, NASA, FAA and training to be a real pilot.

Looks like other institutions have these sims:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzMOaPaq1gc (National Air Force Museum)