FlightSimExpo 2021 Kicks off in San Diego

Following a one year suspension of the event caused by COVID-19 last year, North America’s largest flight sim event is back in its 3rd year. This year’s event is held in the Town and Country Resort in San Diego, following previous events in Orlando and Las Vegas. 

For those out of the loop, FlightSimExpo is an annual community event held in a selected location, selected from a shortlist by the community. As aforementioned, this year’s event has been delayed from 2020, when the event was planned to be held in June. Attendees had the option to delay their tickets to 2021 or receive a refund, when the event was announced to be held this weekend, kicking off today.

Attendees had the option to attend the captain’s corner seminars, held yesterday, which are extra seminars, with a more educational focus, to further enhance their experience at FSExpo. It is worth noting that the exhibition hall was not open yesterday, and only opens today.

Seminars are not free to watch (except for some), and a virtual attendee pass must be purchased for $15, to gain access to streams. A small number of seminars will be available to view for free on the FSExpo YouTube, including the X-Plane seminar. Find the full list of these on the FSExpo YouTube channel. Full online registration includes access to all seminars, a networking lounge, community Q&A sections, and community chat forums on the Whova app.

Here are some of the notable seminars throughout today:

Thrustmaster Developer Seminar: 10:30 am PT / 17:30z (Free to Watch)

Turtle Beach Developer Seminar: 01:00 pm / 20:00z 

X-Plane Developer Seminar: 02:00 pm / 21:00z (Free to Watch)

FlightFactor Developer Seminar: 05:00pm (Saturday) / 00:00z (Sunday)

During Thrustmaster’s developer seminar, the simulator hardware manufacturer will announce a new addition to their highly popular TCA range. The new product has been confirmed to be modelled after a Boeing aircraft, rumoured to be the 787. The Boeing product will also mark Thrustmaster’s first yoke product, previously only producing joysticks and HOTAS systems.

Turtle Beach is similarly expected to formally announce their first flight sim product, a yoke system. The company’s CEO Jurgen Stark will be on stage to unveil the new product. Stick around to be the first to know!

X-Plane’s seminar is arguably the most highly anticipated of the day, with Laminar Research formally unwrapping the next generation of X-Plane. Previews of the flight sim have been trickled through including a new environment, but today will see the first full confirmation of all new features.

Finally, FlightFactor will bring Saturday to a close at the expo. The developer is yet to comment who is presenting or what will be shown, so the seminar is a mystery. Keep an eye out!

That brings a close to today’ introduction, to all at the event, make sure to tag us in your photos on our socials! To those watching virtually, join the conversation with our FSExpo event discussion channel in our Discord Server.

Follow us on our Socials !

COMMENT ADVISORY:
Threshold encourages informed discussion and debate - though this can only happen if all commenters remain civil when voicing their opinions.