2025: WHAT A YEAR FOR FLIGHT SIMULATION & BRAVO 737

Captain Russell
9 hours ago
5 min read

A LOOK AT THE FLIGHT SIMULATION COMMUNITY

The flight simulation community has seen some incredible milestones in 2025. Continuation of AI offerings from Say Intentions with the new Launch Pad, a flurry of additional peripherals from WinWing for both the Airbus and Boeing simulators as well as force feedback add-ons from Moza and others. Not to be left behind, VR saw increased integration in all sim platforms and X-Plane 12 launched additional betas which became much friendlier to those pilots using the VR glasses.

As for aircraft introduced in 2024, the list of both new and updates is almost overwhelming. From the new FSS 727 Package for MSFS 2020, the FSS E-Jet Packages and the new subscription based 737-500 classic from CSS, these all represent a leap forward in either modeling or the way a flight simulation product is offered to the consumer.

Also introduced this year was the FlightFX Citation X, Starship by Black Square and countless upgrades to the iFly 737 Max 8. PMDG seems to be waiting to the last moment to release their new Boeing 737-800 model for MSFS 2024. They have offered several versions of their Boeing 777-200 series, so hopefully, the 737 date will stick.

We would be remiss if our list did not included the full update of the hobby's best add-on, the ZIBO MOD 737-800 for X-Plane 12. The additions of some many new flight characteristics, the study-level cockpit and EFB integration still sets the gold-standard for any flight simulation add-on (paid or free).

We can't discuss 2025 without mentioning the incredible gathering of flight simulation enthusiasts last year in Rhode Island at the FlightSimulation Expo. The Expo offered more than 2,000 vendors and comprehensive break-out seminars for attendees to really dive deep into their hobby. Presented by the Flight Simulation Association, the 2026 show in Minneapolis is positioned to be one of the best yet.

Last, but not least, we have touch briefly on all of the hardware and software updates. If you are flying any sort of high-resolution simulator, you couldn't have missed the marketplace buzz concerning the 5090 graphic processor making it's debut. A monster in its own right, the 5090 comes with a dedicated controllers allowing multi-screen simmers the true ability to connect more than four screens with ease. Conversely, there have been several unfortunate missteps when updating software and drivers including the SimApp Pro for WinWing and several video drivers for NVIDIA. Hopefully, they will get it sorted as X-Plane did for their recent update as well as MSFS for the miscues in SU14 and others. Although frustrating, these minor challenges are often fixed and simming can continue!

BRAVO 737 MILESTONES IN 2025

Reflecting on a year is often difficult for us to do. Although I felt like this year went so fast, there was a definite shift in opportunities and focus. Normally, we would tout the scores of new designs or custom paints we created. In years past, we showcase some of our products or special contests. This year, 2025 was defined by relationship building for BRAVO 737.

Once again, we were honored to be chosen as a media partner for the FlightSimulation Expo. As previously mentioned, the FSExpo was held in Rhode Island this year. Although we were schedule to attend and report to our community, other challenges precluded us from doing so. We have been granted media access by the Flight Simulation Association once again in 2026 and we have all intentions of making it to Minnesota!

Via the frequency of airwaves, our connections grew as Sky Blue Radio graciously began

sponsoring and promoting our Thursday Night Flights. In this new partnership, we happily sponsored their Halloween event give away and will plan to support them by crafting liveries for their newly-launched VA, SBRA as well

BRAVO 737 continues to partner with our friends at The Pilot Club, who have more than 5,000 pilots actively flying for them. We have developed liveries, enjoyed fly-ins and build additional plans for the future. They are an incredible group of leaders, make sure you check them out!

Back in 2021, when BRAVO 737 was just an idea, we were approached by a brand new flight sim streamer who had a new channel called Charlie 31. He asked if we might paint a livery for him. Over the past four years, we have become strong partners in the flight sim community and best of friends in real life. If you aren't watching Captain Hawke and Charlie 31, you need to make sure you subscribe to his channel!

A great transition into our last bit of news. Yes, we did paint a few custom liveries this year. We had the opportunity to paint a custom QANTAS plane with the 2015 livery, a custom design for Canada AIR VA, a house livery called the Spirit of Iowa on the Level Up 737-600 for X-Plane 12 and two custom liveries for World Flight; a new Air New Zealand design and the BRAVO 737 World Flight Commemorative livery for Patriot PAWS Service Dogs.

A LOOK BACK: THURSDAY NIGHT FLIGHT CLUB

What a phenomenal journey it has been this year. The Thursday Night Flight Club flew the entirety of the United States. Beginning last February, they took off from Hawaii and flew two stops in the islands before flying north to the Aleutian Isles of Alaska. Once on the western-most portion of the United States, pilots flew north to Fairbanks, Alaska and then made their way toward the continental mainland. They arrived in Seattle and flew weekly patters of north and south and then once crossing the Mississippi River, they began patters of east and west. Finally, after 41 weeks of flights, almost 85 legs total, members of the Thursday Night Flight Club landed this past Thursday at their final destination; Tulsa International Airport - headquarters for BRAVO 737. All-in-all, a really fun year.

More to come in our upcoming 2026 blog, but just a reminder, the Thursday Night Flight Club fly-ins are open to everyone. We will be returning on Feb. 5, 2026. Feel free to fly your own livery, your VA route or in the stunning BRAVO 737 livery. Crews fly on VATSIM and use the official TNFC Channel on Discord to communicate while flying. More to come in 2026, but thank you to those who flew high and landed smooth with us in 2025!

OUR CREWS FLEW FOR 41 WEEKS ACROSS THE ENTIRE UNITED STATES

WORLD FLIGHT 2025 AND #TeamBRAVO737

What an incredible experience! World Flight 2025 was amongst the most challenging and rewarding opportunities 2025 provided for as an organization and personally. Our team of three pilots were able to raise $490.84 for Patriot PAWS Service Dogs! We couldn't have achieved this accomplishment without those who watched, donated, shared and supported our flights!

During the one-week event, our three pilots were began their journey in Australia. Departing from the first leg in Brisbane, the pilots tag-teamed the event through more than 40 destinations around the globe, in real-time with air traffic controllers. A massive undertaking in planning, skill and knowledge, our hats are off to these great individuals. #TeamBRAVO737 completed the event and will hopefully have an opportunity to participate again next year!