SimVenture - Prepare for Oshkosh using your Flight Simulator

What is SimVenture?

It’s a virtual Oshkosh, with the actual OSH air traffic controllers. SimVenture is the only way to practice flying into AirVenture. As you rock your wings and make your way in over Fisk, you’ll be talking to the real Oshkosh air traffic controllers who volunteer with us for SimVenture.

Download the Scenery and Notice (NOTAM)

Select your simulator platform to access the downloads:

MSFS2020 or MSFS2024
X-Plane 11 or X-Plane 12
Prepar3D or FSX (Redbird simulators use this software)

SimVenture Times

All times are Pacific Time (UTC-7)

How to Participate

You will need:

1. A computer flight simulator such as MSFS2020 or MSFS2024, X-Plane 11/12, Prepar3D, or FSX. If you have a commercial-grade sim, it’s likely compatible. Contact us to verify. Redbird simulators use Prepar3D, therefore they are capable of flying for SimVenture.
2. A headset to use with your computer flight simulator (USB headset, 3.5mm headset, or real world aviation headset adapter).
3. An active PilotEdge subscription. SimVenture is also included with a Free Trial account.
4. Download the required scenery (see above).

New to flight simulators, or need some extra help getting set up? Click here.

The Mission Behind the Event

Real World Pilots
Oshkosh’s arrival procedures are some of the most non-standard that you’ll encounter as a VFR pilot. Both OSH rookies and veterans can benefit from some preparation. Practice your arrival and departure just 1-2 weeks before AirVenture, using your flight simulator, while becoming comfortable and familiar with the Notice procedures. This builds confidence and familiarization which contributes to a safer real flight to AirVenture.

Flight Simulator Enthusiasts
Not heading to AirVenture 2025? No problem! SimVenture event is one of most realistic and exciting flights you will ever experience with your flight simulator. If you have always wanted to fly to Oshkosh, but have never had the opportunity, this gives you nearly the same great feeling.

Real Oshkosh Air Traffic Controllers

SimVenture’s controllers may sound very much like those who actually work the real AirVenture. That is because they are the actual controllers! By having the actual air traffic controllers volunteer for SimVenture, pilots are certain to have a true-to-life experience as they will hear the same fast paced ATC that has become so unique to Oshkosh.

Oshkosh Merch

Fly-to-Win Contest 2025 – 40+ Winners, Over $5,000 in Prizes!

Back by popular demand, our Fly-to-Win contest will be returning with fantastic prizes. The more OSH landings and takeoffs you complete during SimVenture, the more chances you have to win! We’re still gathering prizes for our prize pool, so the list below may continue to grow. Thank you to our generous sponsors!

Walker Air Transport VA – 10 1-month PilotEdge Combo Subscriptions ($34.95 value, each)
Navigraph – 3 Navigraph Unlimited Subscriptions (1 year) ($94.07 value, each)
ProDeskSim 30 $50 Gift Cards
Gleim Private Pilot Kit ($224.95 value)
King Schools Written & Checkride Combo PPL, IFR, Comm, CFI or Sport (Up to $539 value)
Flight Sim Builder G1000 TNxi Unit ($850 value)
Thurstmaster Boeing Yoke ($499.99 value) Can only ship to US, Canada or EU.
Thrustmaster Airbus Captains Pack ($299.99 value) Can only ship to US, Canada or EU.
X-Plane by Laminar Research X-Plane 12 download key ($59.99 value)
X-Plane by Laminar Research 3 X-Plane Water Bottles (only ships to US) ($29.99 value each)
Smoothtrack Head Tracker 5 downloads, either iOS or Android ($12.99 value, each)
RealSimGear G1000 ($699 value)

Click here for contest terms and conditions.

Further Questions?

Visit our Discord chat server, email kevin@pilotedge.net, or reach out to us on social media @pilotedgeatc.

History of SimVenture

The first SimVenture was created by PilotEdge and hosted in July of 2020. While the initial concept was to prepare people to fly into AirVenture, the pandemic forced a pivot to more of a nostalgic approach to allow pilots to engage in an exciting aviation-related activity from the safety of their home flight simulators.

Throughout the course of the SimVenture 2020 event, there were over 1,000 arrivals into Oshkosh on the PilotEdge network. Beginning in 2021, the event took more of a training approach as pilots could use SimVenture to prepare to fly to AirVenture just a week later. 2022 and 2023 saw well over 2,000 arrivals throughout the event.

Flying Magazine – AirVenture Air Traffic Went Virtual This Year

Aviation International News (AIN) – SimVenture Flyers Get a Taste of Oshkosh Operations

AVweb – You Didn’t Fly to OSH, But 1000 Virtual Pilots Did

Pilot und Flugzeug – Cancel Culture 2020: AirVenture goes – SimVenture comes English version PDF German version PDF

FS Magzin – Rock Your Wings – SimVenture 2022

Disclaimer

PilotEdge’s SimVenture event, the PilotEdge SimVenture Notice and any other material provided by PilotEdge regarding SimVenture is for flight simulator purposes only. None of the material or guidance shall be used for real world flight or navigation. Refer to EAA’s official Notice when actually flying to AirVenture.