I wouldn't have a clue how to take over a plane now, but I have flown a light aircraft twice in my life.
The first time, a friend organised a group flying experience, where half of us were going to get to fly a plan, and the other half just wanted to be flown around above Gloucestershire for a bit. In my plane, the two back seat passengers were both trying to get over a phobia of flying.
Having a complete ignoramus of a novice like me at the control can't have done much for their nerves, but I loved it.
The second time, my wife organised a flying experience for me. I was merely asked whether I had ever flown a plan before, so I was able to honestly say something like "Why yes, as it happens" (being a little economical with the truth). I was allowed much greater freedom, being allowed to taxi, take off, fly around and do everything until just before touching down. I thoroughly recommend everyone to try it at least once in their life. Stick it on your bucket list. If I am completely honest, however, it all got so much like driving in 3D that I would actually have forgotten all about putting the wheels down before landing!
I suspect I'd be a bad temporary pilot. As a software engineer working on air traffic control systems, I'd be constantly worrying about what might be going wrong at the air traffic control tower, in an emergency situation like that one.
