FlightSimWeekend 2026 officially took flight on Friday evening with the second annual Flight Sim Awards. Hosted during the prestigious Captain’s Dinner, the ceremony brought together developers, hardware engineers, and community leaders for a night dedicated to recognizing achievements within the flight simulation industry over the past year.
The award show – organized by FSElite, Threshold, Cruiselevel.de and FlightSimWeekend – was hosted by community personalities NickFlightX and KatiePilot and has quickly become the “Oscars” of the simulation world. This year’s event saw a significant increase in industry participation, with representatives from over 40 development studios in attendance. The atmosphere was one of camaraderie and shared passion, as competitors and collaborators alike gathered in Lelystad, the Netherlands.
Elevating the Standards of Realism
Throughout the evening, presenters highlighted the staggering pace of innovation in the hobby. From the integration of advanced Artificial Intelligence in air traffic control to the emergence of “pro-sumer” level hardware that bridges the gap between home setups and professional flight trainers, the ceremony served as a showcase for the industry’s rapid evolution.
“The Flight Sim Awards are more than just a formal ceremony; they are a vital heartbeat for our community,” noted the event organizers. “Tonight was about pausing to honor the hundreds of thousands of man-hours that go into the code, the 3D modeling, and the flight testing that we often take for granted. By celebrating excellence, we encourage every developer to keep pushing the boundaries of what is possible on a home PC or console.”
The full list of winners across all categories is now available for viewing on the official Flight Sim Awards website and through our partnered media outlets.
About FlightSimWeekend
FlightSimWeekend is the world’s largest dedicated flight simulation event. The event brings together thousands of enthusiasts and hundreds of international exhibitors annually to celebrate the past, present, and future of flight simulation technology.