Open Day ’25

BFSG have just wrapped up another brilliant Open Day, and what a ride it was! It was our second event of its kind, with the goal of building on the success of last year’s inaugural open day. Aerospace Bristol museum was a buzz with visitors, and along with the whirr of computers, brought our passion for flight simulation to life. Whether our visitors had never touched a joystick before or were a seasoned virtual pilot, BFSG club members were on hand to show them the ropes and share the joy of virtual flying.

The energy in the room was fantastic to see. BFSG club members were spread out across the room, each station offering a hands-on introduction to the ins and outs of flight simulators such as Microsoft Flight Simulator, X-Plane, and Digital Combat Simulator (DCS). First-timers had the chance to sit in the pilot’s seat, play around with controls, and see the magic of digital skies unfold right in front of their eyes. It was heartwarming to see visitors of all ages experiencing flight simulation close up.

One of the features at this year’s event was a nostalgic throwback exhibit that transported visitors back to 1993. A laptop running Microsoft Flight Simulator 5.0 was available for visitors to fly. With its classic interface and primative graphics, the display offered an intimate look at the humble beginnings of home flight simulation—a perfect reminder of how much the technology has evolved over the decades.

Another highlight was an antenna, mounted on the balcony, collecting ADS-B signals from airplanes soaring above. The gathered data was then displayed on a large TV screen, much in the vein of Flightradar24, giving visitors a live glimpse of the skies and a taste of how technology connects aviation enthusiasts with real-world flight data.

For those seeking to be fully immersed in the virtual skies, our Virtual Reality (VR) exhibit delivered an unforgettable experience. With a VR headset members of the public stepped into an all-encompassing cockpit environment. Participants not only controlled their aircraft but also experienced the thrill of flying fast amongst the clouds or near the ground!

In many respects, the highlight of the day was our legendary landing challenge. Those brave enough had to fly a simulated Cessna 152 into the specially recreated Bristol Filton airport, re-opened in all its glory in the virtual world. With just a few minutes to steady their approach, many would-be pilots took to the challenge, mixing nerves with excitement as they tried to nail that perfect, gentle touchdown. Whether it was the thrill of a smooth landing or the fun of learning through trial and error, everyone enjoyed the experience. The adult winner of the landing challenge walked away with a Just Flight voucher for £25, opening the door to even more flight simulation adventures, whilst the 8 to 15 year old winner was presented with a model of the iconic Concorde — a fitting prize for the location and for their flying skills!

Our club isn’t just about the technology and gadgets; it’s a close-knit community of members that love sharing their passion for flight and simulation. Throughout the day, BFSG members were happily offering tips and making sure that no question went unanswered. It was all about creating an atmosphere where everyone could feel comfortable, learn something new, and most importantly, have fun.

If you missed this Open Day, don’t worry! There are plenty more chances to join in the fun, whether it’s at our monthly meet-ups or during our regular online “fly-ins”. At BFSG, we believe that the sky’s the limit when it comes to bringing people together over our shared love of flight simulation.

So next time you hear about one of our events, don’t hesitate—come along and take to the virtual skies with us. Who knows? You might just discover a new passion and a whole community waiting to welcome you aboard.

Happy flying, everyone!