Flight Simulation Weekend 2011

[EHM-0654 Murray]

Just to get this out there...

I'll be making every possible effort to get to the FS Weekend next year (I wanted to go this year but real life put the brakes on the trip). If anyone else wants to come along, it'd be grand to finally meet some of you all (and in a few cases, meet you again). It won't be an official VA presence as such, but I'm prepared to get behind having VA shirts made up if enough of us want to "sign up" to the idea.

[EHM-1829 Trevor]

 

    Hi Murray
    Count me in; it’s been a while since the last meet-up at the NEC Birmingham.
    I better get digging for the old Photo’s
    Cheers,
    T

[EHM-2387 Eric-Jan]

If you mean the FS weekend in Lelystad (NL) (see http://www.fsweekend.com/), then I am interested. But since that one was earlier this month, I guess you are talking about a different one?

[EHM-2589 David]

Or could be this one http://www.mondial-simulation.com/en/index.php in Paris

[EHM-0654 Murray]

No, E-J has the correct one. It's next year's event I'm going to be attending (barring disaster).

[EHM-1997 Alexander]

Tempted...

[EHM-2387 Eric-Jan]

No, E-J has the correct one. It's next year's event I'm going to be attending (barring disaster).

The one and only 

In that case:

I've been there the last two episodes, and found that last month it looked a lot like the one a year before. So I more or less decided to skip next year. But hey, if you guys are coming, I am tempted to go again

Dunno if you plan to take a (cheap) flight to Schiphol, but if so: it's on my route to Lelystad ...
I'd be happy to pick you up (max. 3 pax in my Suzuki Swift ) on my way over there. PM (or mail) me if you are interested.

E-J

[EHM-2387 Eric-Jan]

Digging this topic back up again, since it is about to take place now:

Contrary to what I stated before, I'm sorry to inform you all that I will not be attending the FS weekend this year.
Our old caravan has just been removed, and we'll be getting a new one the week before that weekend. So we'll be putting up new fencing during the FS weekend (and a ton of other things to do, since we'll be starting from scratch again ...). And that just has a slightly higher priority for me at this time.

[EHM-2387 Eric-Jan]

It looks like this has been the last episode in the Avidrome at EHLE. Aviodrome has filed for bankruptcy, and now a curator is investigating if investors are willing to take over the lot. Otherwise the collection will be sold to the highest bidder (scrap prices at minimum.

Apparently visitor numbers were rising again, but not enough to compensate for the reduction of income as a result of less and less company arrangements (tours, parties, sight-seeing flights from 1957 Schiphol, etc.).

Sad news for Dutch aviation

[EHM-1465 Dominic]

Always sad when these facilities face hard times - heritage can easily be lost forever. Let's hope a buyer can be found...

[EHM-2387 Eric-Jan]

Libéma Group, a holding company that owns a couple more theme parks, just announced their take-over of Aviodrome.
They intend to maintain the aviation theme park business, so at least the museum collection is saved for Dutch prosperity. Whether or not there will be FS weekends remains to be seen, but considering the numbers of people it always attracted, I would say: yes!

[EHM-0654 Murray]

Keeping my fingers crossed - it's the premiere event outside the US of States.

[EHM-2387 Eric-Jan]

Just read the FS Weekend 2012 will be held at Aviodrome, on November 3 and 4!

About one month ago, Aviodrome made a touch-and-go with now a new owner and management (Libema Group, owner of, a.o. Autotron in Rosmalen, NL, as well), which is more than pleased to have the event in house again.
A good opportunity to view the new attractions, and the new spotting terrace near the 747 as well, besides the obvious FS stuff of course

[EHM-2387 Eric-Jan]

http://fsweekend.com/

[EHM-0654 Murray]

Annoyingly, it's totally out of the question for me this year.

Brassic doesn't even come close (my own fault really, didn't notice I was paying my Council Tax twice for almost 4 months. Means I'll have plenty of money next year though...)

[EHM-2387 Eric-Jan]

I'm afraid I'm going to use the same excuse as last year for not going: work at the camping...
Will be closing up the bottom side for the coming winter ( frosty nights as of next weekend).
Next year, possibly ...