Based on the location you select as your home airport, Simmer Search will show you nearby simmers who have opted to participate in Simmer Search. You’ll be able to see an abbreviated profile of their experience and interests as well as their proximity to you (rounded to the nearest 10 miles or km). You’ll also have the option to "connect" with other simmers. When a simmer accepts your connection request, or you accept theirs, you’ll be introduced via email, at which point you can start a conversation.

To participate, you’ll need to be an Flight Simulation Association member who has opted in to participate. You’ll also need to complete the public profile other simmers can see when searching for you. (You also need a computer, internet connection, and some other technical stuff...but you knew that already, right?)

Um...fun? Oh, you’re seriously asking.

Well, one of the biggest requests we’ve received from FlightSimExpo attendees is that they want to be able to find others in their area who are also into simulation. That’s what Simmer Search offers: you can see who else in your neighborhood is into simulation. That allows you to learn from people in your area or even organize safe meet-ups of small groups of simmers who are nearby.

Once you’ve opted in to Simmer Search, you’ll see nearby simmers displayed in geographical order. The further down the list you scroll, the further away the simmer is. If you want to reach out to that simmer, click the "Connect" button to send them a request.

To make a connection, one simmer sends a "connection request". Once the other party accepts the request, an email is sent to both members with an introduction. From there, it’s up to you to take the conversation anywhere you want to. "Hello, how are you?" is usually a good start!

Once you’ve been connected, you’ll have the other member’s email address. From there, you can communicate however you’d like! Although, we caution you against using smoke signals.

Definitely not! Each FSA subscriber has the option to participate in Simmer Search. You can choose not to provide or withdraw your consent at any time.

Negative. We’ll only include you in Simmer Search if you choose to take part. Of course, if you don’t take part, that also means other simmers won’t be able to find you.

When you opt in to Simmer Search and create a public profile, it will display your first name, last initial, home airport, age, and the interests/experience you select. You’ll see and approve your profile before it becomes public.

When you “connect” with another simmer, you’ll receive each others’ email addresses.

We do not share physical addresses in any situation. If you opt in, the only location information another simmer will receive is your home airport ICAO code and an approximate distance (rounded to the nearest 10 miles or kilometers).

Yes; you can opt out of Simmer Search at any time. Opting out will remove you from the Simmer Search database and reset all of your connections. However, anyone you have connected with could still have your email address.

Yes—in fact, we recommend it! Because other users will see your email address once you’re connected, you might wish to set up an email address specifically for Simmer Search. You can do this within your account settings. Notifications related to Simmer Search (like when a contact wants to connect with you) will still come to your primary account email.

Not right now. The platform is designed to make introductions via email, and then let you continue on the conversation from there.

Sure, feel free! Once you’ve been connected via email, you can invite people to chat via Discord, social media, or any other means. However, you’ll have to introduce yourself via email first.

If they’re related to Flight Simulation Association, send us an email. Otherwise, your local library is full of books (remember those?) containing useful information!