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Attended the largest flight simulator weekend meet in the world!

20th March 2025, 13:38 by Ananth Iyer

As you will see, the event is held in the Aviodrome in Lelystad. The Aviodrome is the Dutch National Aviation Museum.

BHPian Jeroen recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Introduction:

You might think Flight Simulation is for little boys, wannabe pilots and nerds. These days it is a very serious hobby for just about all ages. Even if you are not necessarily interested in simulators, have a look at some of these images of what this hobby is about. Trust me, you will be amazed!

I have been interested in aviation all my life. I wanted to become a pilot or a sailor. I have poor eyesight, so the pilot career was out for me. In those days, pilots would not be allowed to wear glasses at all.

I have been visiting airshows all over Europe since I was about 14-15 years old. I was out there with the very first versions of Microsoft Flight Simulator. We are talking late 80s! Pretty soon I discovered a more amazing Flight Simulation package; Precision Simulator. It simulates only a 747-400, with no scenery. Completely different price from Microsoft, but then again it is an amazing piece of software. These days certified by the FAA as a system simulator.

https://aerowinx.com

In 2006, a bunch of PS enthusiasts were part of this very Flight Sim Weekend. Have a look, and see if you can spot an almost twenty years younger version of me!

http://www.hoppie.nl/galleries/fs-we...006/index.html

Through my PS friends, I also got to spend numerous hours on the real full-motion 747-400 Simulator of Cargolux and Lufthansa. For a non-commercial rated pilot, I have a surprising amount of 747-400 training hours on the real McCoy!

Finally, I did get my Private Pilot License and various other ratings and endorsements during the four years we lived in Kansas City.

I don't fly anymore. Neither as a real pilot nor behind the simulator. It's way too complicated for my garbled mind these days. But I do enjoy reading about it and going to these sorts of events and talking to some of the current flight sim enthusiasts

The event:

Last weekend saw the Flight Simulator Weekend at the Aviadrome in Lelystad, the Netherlands.

Quote:

With world-class exhibitors and nearly 5,000 visitors each year, FlightSimWeekend is the largest flight simulation event in the world. Explore flight simulation innovations, connect with fellow enthusiasts, and embark on an unparalleled aviation adventure!

Source: https://flightsimweekend.com

As you will see, the event is held in the Aviodrome in Lelystad. The Aviodrome is the Dutch National Aviation Museum. It used to be housed at Schiphol Amsterdam Airport but moved to this much larger location at the Lelystad Airport a couple of decades ago. https://www.aviodrome.nl/en

So here we go, get ready for a Simulation world that comes pretty close to the real one.

As you will see there is a huge community catering to all the needs of the true flight SIM enthusiast. There are clubs all around the world, and as you will see, the simulation is done online as well as stand-alone.

In the early days, the Flight simulator of various brands was just software on your computer. I you had the money you might an joystick. These days just about all the components from various cockpits can be bought separately and hooked up to whatever flight simulation you use.

This is a Flight Management Computer (FMC) part of the Flight Management System (FMS). At least that is how it is often referred to. Technically, It is actually a CDU so the interface unit on which the pilots provide input to the FMC. Irrespective, it is a complex bit of kit. This looks as good as the real one does,

You will see all kinds of flight SIM setups. VR is very much a part of flight simulation these days. This guy looks to be enjoying himself.

As I mentioned earlier, these days "flying" is often done online. So the airspace is simulated as well. VAT-SIM is one of these organisations that does this. To join them, you need to sit a formal exam. The whole idea is to make the whole experience as real as possible. So when you fly online, the communication with various controllers is done according to the same protocols as in real life!

Whereas there are folks who like to simulate being a pilot, there are also folks who like to simulate being a controller. Organisations like VATSIM bring all these folks together in the virtual air.

A VATSIM controller working his airspace, talking to the pilots as ATC would in real life.

I used to be a member of VATSIM. They used to organise special events. A famous one was called "Across the Pond". Dozens if not hundreds of virtual pilots would virtually cross the Atlantic Ocean. The idea was always to have as many planes in the air and in the airports to create and simulate a true hectic environment that would test everybody's capabilities to the max,

Here is a ground controller at work:

These days, this would probably be about the minum external hardware to fly. A yoke, throttle stand and rudder pedals

Notice all the different ages? This is a hobby for young and old folks. Mostly males though?

Running this flight simulation software requires more and more powerful computers. In particular, running these days, incredibly accurate scenery. There is a whole world of dedicated flight SIM desktop computer builders out there.

And any self-respecting pilot could not do without some of these of course. The mustache is not optional!

This shows the flight currently underway from this very flight SIM weekend only. As you can see, busy skies. 24/7 there are thousands of Flight SIM enthusiasts, pilots and controllers online, enjoying their hobbies!

A large part of the various stands are set up inside the museum, which gives the perfect background and atmosphere for this event!

Let's look at some more serious hardware:

You can buy these sorts of panels ready-made. There are two approaches in the flight SIM world. One is to buy these panels that are made specifically to interface with your home computer. Or to buy the real panels, taken from the real plane and modify them in such a way they can interface with your computer.

Anything is available to discerning flight SIM enthusiasts. Knobs, levers, chips, PCB, you name it.

I must say, these days all the panels made specifically are of an incredible quality. At face value, they look identical to the original real ones.

Part of being a Flight sM pilot also means studying and reading all the manuals. Luckily, most aircraft manuals can still be bought relatively easily.

Here is a so-called QRH (Quick Reference Handbook) of a Boeing 737. A QRH gives the pilot easy access to most of the relevant planning tables and data and all normal and non-normal checklists. These days papers have mostly been replaced by digital versions. Pilots carry an iPad these days, not a pilot case full of binders with papers.

This is a full-scale mock-up of the cockpit of a single-engine plane, A Diamond. I have flown the real one for a good number of hours. A gorgeous plane with, full glass cockpit.

Some enjoy being Fighter pilots. By and large a very different scene from the Commerical Pilots. In real and simulated life! I have never been particularly interested in fighters, but it is interesting to see. These guys in real and simulated life, live to dogfight. This guy was wearing a VR helmet/glasses and was constantly scanning his head around to see where his opponents where. You could see on a screen what he saw in his VR goggles. Very impressive, and very detailed.