Frequently Asked Questions

Flight Simulation Association (FSA) is an independent, community-driven association of flight simmers, pilots, and industry developers that promotes home flight simulation as both a hobby and aid to pilot training. FSA is open to everyone and free to join, and members can access many benefits applicable to new simmers, experienced enthusiasts, and real-world pilots. Read more about us.

Yes! Anyone can create a free First Officer account, which provides access to our learning content, local clubs and member-meetups, and a selection of discounts from our partners.

FSA is run by the organizers of FlightSimExpo, North America's largest enthusiast flight simulation convention. FSA is independently operated, but partners with a wide variety of content creators, flight simulation developers, and community members to create the content you see on this website. For the full story, read more about us.

We are working to build FSA into a place where flight simmers, pilots, and aviation enthusiasts can come together to showcase the power of flight simulation as a hobby and aid to pilot training. Some of that mission already happens once a year at FlightSimExpo, our annual convention. But we can do more.

Subscription revenue has allowed us to present webinars to the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), advertise flight simulation in aviation magazines, and exhibit flight simulation at events like SUN 'n FUN. We're also starting to connect simmers with local clubs and chapters that host smaller events throughout the country and across the world.

As we work to promote home flight simulation, we can begin to achieve the type of advocacy shown by the 'real-world' pilot organizations out there. What if governments started recognizing flight simulation time as valuable for real-world training? What if air traffic control organizations recruited from networks like IVAO and VATSIM? What if our community played a role in designing aircraft of the future?

We think it's possible, someday, through an independent, simmer-driven organization like FSA. To learn more, read more about us.

Credit card processing is handled securely by Paddle, our third-party provider. We do not have access to your credit card or billing information, except for the credit card brand and the last four digits of the card used.

You can delete your account at any time via a prominent "Delete My Account" button in Your Account. When deleting your account, you'll also have the option to ensure any data we have on you is permanently removed from our database. However, we do not offer refunds on subscription fees.

We're very aware and conscious of privacy. The last thing we want to do is waste your time with spam or useless information. When we send emails to the community, we do so with your preferences in mind. We don't share your contact information with third parties and don't have access to your credit card number or other sensitive billing information.

You can delete your account at any time, without question. We'll give you the option to have all of your data removed, too.

For more information on our data practices, we welcome you to review our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Most of our content is available for free to the community. However, some features are reserved for FSA Captains, members who have chosen to support FSA with a subscription. Read more about how we use subscription revenue to promote and grow the flight simulation community.

If you do not yet have an FSA account, subscribe by visiting our Membership page. If you are already an FSA Member, visit the Subscription page within your account to upgrade to Captain.

If you no longer wish to be an FSA Captain, you may cancel at any time. Your subscription will continue through the end of the current billing cycle, and then your account will revert to First Officer status. As a First Officer, you will retain access to our free learning content, local clubs and member-meetups, and a selection of discounts from our partners.

Yes, you may upgrade or downgrade your account between First Officer and Captain status at any time. If you choose to downgrade, your subscription will continue through the end of the current billing cycle, and then your account will revert to First Officer status.

Although most FSA content is available for free, we do offer a subscription for those who wish to support our mission to promote and grow the flight simulation community.

Subscription proceeds are re-invested back into the community by showcasing the power of flight simulation as a hobby and aid to pilot training. Examples of how we've helped build the community include exhibiting flight simulation at events like SUN 'n FUN and conducting a study that quantifies flight simulation's impact on real-world training. For more information, read more about us.

Subscription income also allow us to make the website available without advertisements.

We welcome people of all experience levels to get involved by becoming an FSA Member. We also welcome developers of any size to partner with us.

We encourage website visitors to provide feedback and suggestions on any of our content. Please contact us to share your thoughts.