The Pioneers: Early 90s
The origins of FSWeekend are found in the early 1990s, a time when flight simulation was a niche hobby for technical enthusiasts. In 1991, a group known as “Interstate” held its first gathering in the Amsterdam living room of Mathijs Kok (now part of PMDG). This event, “Interstate 1,” was a 12-hour race across the U.S. East Coast using subLOGIC scenery.
At a time before modern multiplayer, the organizers pioneered “live” flying by manually providing ATC and using custom-written LAN software. Throughout the 90s, these events grew into international “adventure races” across Europe, drawing participants from Germany, Belgium, and the UK.
Establishing a Tradition: 1998–2022
Following a brief hiatus, the event was revived in 1999 as an annual gathering hosted at the Aviodome Schiphol and later relocated to Aviodrome Lelystad. This marked the birth of the FSWeekend we know today.
For 18 years, the event was organised by Frans Broekhuijsen. Under his tenure, FSWeekend became a beloved staple of the Dutch flight sim community. Even as the internet made online flying a daily reality, the physical gathering at Lelystad remained an essential yearly pilgrimage for almost 3,000 enthusiasts to share their cockpits, hardware, and passion in person.
The Modern Era: 2023–2026
The end of 2022 marked a pivotal turning point for the organization. After nearly two decades at the helm, Frans Broekhuijsen handed over the reins to a new team. Driven by the energy and fresh ideas of a younger generation of simmers, the new leadership was determined to bridge the gap between tradition and the future of the hobby and growing industry. Under this new direction, the event underwent a significant transformation:
- International Globalization: To reflect the global nature of the hobby, all official communication, social media, and invitations were transitioned to English, opening the doors to a worldwide audience.
- Technological Modernization: The launch of a brand-new website and a dedicated Discord community brought the event’s reach up to modern standards, fostering engagement year-round.
- Formal Foundation: In 2024, Stichting FlightSimWeekend (FlightSimWeekend Foundation) was officially founded, providing a professional and sustainable legal structure for the event’s future.
The results of this modernization have been record-breaking. While the event consistently drew almost 3,000 visitors in its earlier years, the shift toward a more international and digitally-connected platform led to a massive surge in popularity. In 2024, 2025, and 2026, the event saw its attendance climb to nearly 5,000 visitors annually.
This growth has transformed the exhibition floor into a global hub, hosting prestigious names such as Navigraph, WINCTRL, iniBuilds, Honeycomb Aeronautical, and MOZA, among many others. The journey reached a new milestone in 2026, when Microsoft Flight Simulator joined for the very first time, cementing FSWeekend’s status as a premier fixture on the international simulation calendar.
Today, FSWeekend is not just a Dutch gathering, but the premier European convention for the flight simulation community and industry, connecting hardware manufacturers, software developers, and thousands of virtual pilots from around the globe.
Looking Ahead: 2027 and Beyond
As the event continues to grow, FSWeekend is preparing for its most ambitious chapter yet. To accommodate the expanding international community and even larger scale exhibitions, the event will move to Expo Houten near Utrecht for 2027.
This new venue provides the space and modern facilities necessary to support the next generation of flight simulation, ensuring that FSWeekend remains the ultimate destination for virtual pilots worldwide.
