History

(founded 2006)

The BFSG was started by John Bowditch in 2006. John believed that there was a need for flight simulator enthusiasts to meet to exchange information about Flight Simulator software and to enjoy learning together.

John knew Bob Sidwick, who owned a shop selling Flight Simulator software and hardware control systems. Bob used to organise trade fairs in the Bristol area and John took the opportunity to attend one of his shows and ask the people there if they lived in the Bristol area and if they would like to join a new group that he wanted to start. He had a list of about 15 names and decided that this was enough to start a group. 

He chose the Lincombe Barn in Downend for the venue and on the first meeting date, it was supported by some of the members of the South West Flight Sim Group (SWFSG). The group then met monthly in Downend for many years.  

In 2008 Andy Parish, with his computer skills, set up the clubs first web server, and along with Pete Alnutt,
enabled club members to fly together online regardless of location and preferred simulator. As a
result, the club now has members from all over the country, who enjoy the weekly ‘online fly-ins’
every Tuesday (GA Aircraft) and Thursday (Airliners or ‘Heavies’). These fly-ins utilise JoinFS to access the BFSG server, and Discord for chatting and managing Air Traffic Control.

Until December 2023, the club hosted monthly face-to-face meetings at Lincombe Barn, Downend,
Bristol, where members could fly, chat, and enjoy the various Flight Simulators available (see a brief
history of the most common flight simulators below). However, from January 2024 our monthly club
meetings are now held at Aerospace Bristol, home of Concorde G-BOAF and a wonderful museum.

You may wish to bring your own kit along, use one of our two club simulators, chat and listen to the
monthly ‘news’ prepared by fellow host Keith, get advice on all aspects of flying, and
simply enjoy the amazing facility.

The club continues to enjoy members from all walks of life, including the RAF, ATC, Commercial Pilots, Casual Pilots, Aerospace Engineers, as well as general aviation enthusiasts and the curious hobbiest – there is always an interesting conversation to be had.

We welcome everyone to come and join in the Bristol Flight Simulator Group.

History of the most common flight simulators (used by members of the BFSG)

Microsoft Flight Simulator

  • FS2004 – 2004 to 2006
  • FSX – 2006 to 2020 (with Steam edition in 2014)
  • MSFS – 2020 to present

Laminar Research X-Plane

  • V8 – 2004 to 2008
  • V9 – 2008 to 2011
  • V10 – 2011 to 2017
  • V11 – 2017 to 2022
  • V12 – 2022 to present

Lockheed Prepar3D

  • V1 – 2010 to 2013
  • V2 – 2013 to 2015
  • V3 – 2015 to 2017
  • V4 – 2017 to 2020
  • V5 – 2020 to 2023
  • V6 – 2023 to present

Eagle Dynamics Digital Combat Simulator (DCS)

Released 2008 with various modules being released, with the latest module (DCS World 2.9) being released in 2023.