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Flight simulation has never been more popular, and 2027 brings two dates every UK and European simmer should know about. In January, the brand-new Sim Global Expo fills a hall at the NEC in Birmingham. In March, FSWeekend returns to the Aviodrome aviation museum in Lelystad, the Netherlands, with a revamped format. Here is what each event offers, how to plan a visit, and a few other dates worth adding to your calendar.
Flight sim events in 2027 at a glance
| Event | Dates | Venue | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sim Global Expo | 16–17 January 2027 | NEC Birmingham, UK | Trying and buying hardware, sim racing and flight sim under one roof |
| Future Pilot Skills Event | 16 January 2027 | University of West London, Ealing | Simmers thinking about a real flying career |
| FSWeekend 2027 | 13–14 March 2027 | Aviodrome, Lelystad, Netherlands | A curated flight sim show inside an aviation museum |
Sim Global Expo 2027, NEC Birmingham (16–17 January)
Sim Global Expo bills itself as the UK’s first dedicated exhibition for sim racing, flight simulation and the technology around them. The first edition runs on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 January 2027 at the NEC, with doors open from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm on both days. The organisers list the venue as Hall 3A.
The organisers promise a large “Sim Shopping Village”, product launches and demonstrations, flight simulation and sim racing experiences, and a live stage with interviews, creators and special guests. Flight simulation sits alongside sim racing as one of the two headline themes.
Getting there and tickets
- The NEC is next to Birmingham International station and Birmingham Airport. Hall 3A is one of the first halls you reach from the station. Drivers should follow signs for Entrance 1.
- The NEC’s event listing gives ticket prices from £15 to £100. Buy through the official Sim Global Expo website.
- Bring a bag you are happy to carry. The shopping village is a big part of the show, and yokes and pedals are bulky.
Make a weekend of it: Future Pilot Skills on the Saturday
If your sim habit has you wondering about flying for real, note that the Future Pilot Skills Event 2027 takes place on Saturday 16 January at the University of West London in Ealing, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Run by FlightPad and UWL, it is free to attend (you must register each person in advance) and brings together flight schools, airline recruiters and working pilots. Visitors can try simulators ranging from home set-ups to a fixed-base 737. The minimum age is 15. A London Saturday and a Birmingham Sunday is an easy rail trip.
Our guide to what it’s like to train for a Private Pilot Licence in the UK is a good next read, and you can find a flight school near you in the AviatorFinds directory.
FSWeekend 2027, Aviodrome, Lelystad (13–14 March)
FSWeekend is one of Europe’s longest-running flight simulation shows. The 2027 edition, its 29th, takes place on 13 and 14 March 2027 at the Aviodrome, the Dutch national aviation museum at Lelystad Airport. According to the Aviodrome, the event has a revamped, more focused format: a carefully selected group of flight sim exhibitors, set among the museum’s aircraft collection, with an emphasis on the visitor experience. Ticket and programme details are still to be announced.
Planning a visit
- The Aviodrome recommends public transport. From Lelystad station, local buses run to the museum (check 9292.nl for routes on the day).
- Parking close to the museum is limited. The Aviodrome says an extra car park (P4, on Anthony Fokkerweg) opens during FSWeekend, with a free shuttle bus to the museum.
- Some of the museum’s outdoor attractions and films are closed during the event, so plan a separate visit if you want the full museum experience.
- Camper vans cannot stay overnight in the Aviodrome car park.
More sim-friendly dates in 2027
Big general aviation shows are increasingly good places to try simulators and meet developers. Flight simulators were on the show floor at AERO Friedrichshafen in 2025 (pictured at the top of this page), and the AERO Friedrichshafen 2027 listing on our calendar has the dates for next year’s show. Browse the AviatorFinds events calendar for more.
Building or upgrading a home sim before the shows
Expos are the best place to try controls before you buy, but it helps to know what to look at. For general aviation flying, a yoke and rudder pedals make the biggest difference. Airliner fans tend to add a throttle quadrant next.
A complete starter set: yoke and pedals
Logitech’s Pro Flight yoke and rudder pedal bundle is a long-standing starting point for GA flying, and saves buying the two separately.
- Smooth and accurate self-centering rudder pedals (Logitech G Pro Flight Rudder Pedals) add another layer of realistic co…
- Realistic Yoke Controls (Logitech G PRO Flight Yoke System) provide the perfect introduction for the aspiring pilot or e…
- Differential Toe Brakes (Logitech G Pro Flight Rudder Pedals) deliver the full control you need when bringing your aircr…
Airliner flying on Xbox or PC
Thrustmaster’s TCA Yoke Boeing Edition is designed around the 737 and works on Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC. This listing comes with a Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Standard code. Pair it with a throttle quadrant for Airbus-style flying, but check platform support: the quadrant listed below is PC only.
- **CONTENT IS PLAYABLE AT 6AM PST ON NOV-19-2024.**
- MICROSOFT FLIGHT SIMULATOR 2024 STANDARD EDITION: Explore the world with our largest fleet of aircraft and take simulati…
- Officially-licensed Boeing yoke inspired by the iconic Boeing 787 airliner (1:1 scale ergonomic replica)
Our Amazon product boxes go to the US store (Amazon.com), so prices show in US dollars and can change at any time. If you are buying from outside the US, check delivery and import charges before you order.
If you fly glass-cockpit aircraft in the sim, our Garmin G1000 avionics guide explains the system you will meet in many simulated (and real) Cessnas. Our post on learning to fly in a Cessna 172 shows how sim habits carry over to the real aircraft. A home sim does not count towards a licence, but it is an excellent way to practise flows, radio calls and procedures.
Frequently asked questions
When is Sim Global Expo 2027?
Sim Global Expo takes place on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 January 2027 at the NEC in Birmingham, from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm on both days.
Is Sim Global Expo just for sim racing?
No. It covers both sim racing and flight simulation, plus the technology around them, with flight sim experiences, hardware and retailers on the show floor.
When is FSWeekend 2027?
FSWeekend 2027 is on 13 and 14 March 2027 at the Aviodrome in Lelystad, the Netherlands. Tickets and the programme are still to be announced.
Can I try a real airliner simulator at a free event?
The Future Pilot Skills Event at the University of West London on 16 January 2027 is free to attend with registration, and visitors can try simulators up to a fixed-base 737.
What flight sim controls should a beginner buy?
For light aircraft, start with a yoke and rudder pedals. For airliners, a yoke or sidestick plus a throttle quadrant is the usual next step. Try controls at an expo before you buy if you can.
From the sim to the real thing
Find a flight school or flying club near you in the AviatorFinds directory, or browse upcoming aviation events on our calendar.
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