Flight Simulation shines at SUN ‘n FUN 2024

The SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo, Florida’s biggest airshow, has long been a showcase of aviation innovation and enthusiasm. However, this year, the expo highlighted an increasingly influential facet of aviation: our hobby, flight simulation.

The Flight Simulation Association – which organizes FlightSimExpo -, NextLevel XR, Pimax, and various other partners, were present at the event to effectively bridge the gap between virtual skies and real-world aviation, captivating attendees with the advanced capabilities of home flight simulators.

At the heart of the event was the Flight Simulation Experience Center, a 60’x40′ exhibition tent located in the FUTURE ‘n FLIGHT Plaza. The center featured more than 20 flight simulator demo stations equipped with popular platforms such as Microsoft Flight Simulator, X-Plane, and DCS.

The diversity of the setups ranged from desktop configurations to full-size cockpit replicas, encompassing both full motion and virtual reality technologies.

Rick Miller, owner of FlyInside and an exhibitor at the event, emphasized the evolving perception of flight simulators. “We showed pilots and SUN ‘n FUN attendees that home flight simulation is so much more than a game,” Miller stated. “You can fight, fly, and learn, custom tailored to your wants and needs. A new age of flight simulation is here. Now!”

Indeed, the integration of realistic scenarios such as live air traffic control communications provided by PilotEdge and real-time coaching from Flight Sim Coach showed the educational potential of flight simulation platforms. More than 1,000 instructor-led demos were conducted, offering pilots and simmers firsthand experiences ranging from carrier launches in DCS to recreations of historical flight events like FS Academy’s ‘Miracle’ – a simulation of the famous US Airways Flight 1549 emergency landing on the Hudson River.

The involvement of numerous flight simulation entities such as Dogfight Dynamics, FliteSim.com, Propwash Simulation, and Yaw VR, supported by companies like Jetline Systems and V Pilot Designs, highlighted a significant collaborative effort within the sim community.

Rick Parker, founder of NextLevel XR, reflected on the event’s success, saying, “The week-long display was a huge success. Putting together an experience like this takes a multi-company collaboration. A huge thank you to Eagle Dynamics, MSI Computers, Pimax, Thrustmaster, Virpil, Virtual Fly, Vrgineers, and the many others who supported us in-person in Lakeland last week.”

As we look towards FlightSimExpo 2024 in Las Vegas this June, the flight simulation community is becoming an increasingly vital force, blending the thrill of flight with the accessibility and innovation of simulation technology.

This fusion at SUN ‘n FUN showcased the capabilities of current technology, highlighting how both real and virtual pilots can continue to engage and benefit from their shared passion for aviation in increasingly sophisticated and meaningful ways.