2018 Survey results
Posted 20 Mar 2018
Results for the 2018 Member Survey have now been released. Once again thanks to all who took part and provided feedback. It really does help to guide us on future policies.
As we mentioned when the survey was launched, the FS community has seen a huge shift in the simming landscape since the last survey we ran so the feedback we get is essential. Full summary data and charts can be viewed via the link that follows, some users may have to hover over some graph result lines for description - https://docs.google....c/viewanalytics
The staff team have had time to digest the results, so we have added some summary notes and reflections for some select question below linked to the relevant questions.
How long have you been a member of Fly UK?
Over half of our members have been with us under two years. Whilst the recent revival of sim platforms post 64bit may be a significant factor in the popularity of flight simming, Fly UK needs to ensure the VA has long lasting appeal and remains fresh. We should always have solid group of long standing members...we should seek to grow here and indications are that is being achieved.
What is your age?
No surprises here that we have a wide range of ages within the member base proving the popularity of the VA and hobby spans many generations. No age range stands out however the 23-35 category did surprise us as higher than we would expect as that's the classic age for career demands and young family.
How long have you been Flight simming?
52.1% of members have been simming over 10 years, compared to the membership length question this does indicate the VA is attracting experienced members more so than people new to the hobby. Given the range of new platforms, the number of members that are starting out in simming is particularly low. Our Marketing teams can seek in future to promote the world of VA's to new simmers as popularity rises in the 64bit generation.
If you can recall, what features made you become a member of Fly UK? Select as many of the options as you wish.
Brand Image, Fleet and schedule is the biggest draw to Fly UK. Tours, franchises and community next on the list. Training/Events and Flying club come in lower down the priorities but remain essential part of Fly UK offering. We will seek to promote those better in future without losing site of the main airline operations that most desire.
At present, which of the following Flight Simulation Platforms do you use? (Tick all that apply)
FSX/FSX steam still holds the lead but P3Dv4 has really taken hold in the popularity in a very short space of time. XP11 is growing but not significantly so compared to P3D however is still a platform that will continue to evolve and gain momentum so deserves good support, particularly as Fly UK are one of very few VA's to support it. Stats confirm its right to stop supporting FS9 as further decline in that area although we are conscious FS9 users may have moved on.
Do you plan to change your primary sim platform in the next 12 months to any of the following? (Tick all that apply)
62% going to P3Dv4 is a huge shift. FSW is of little interest to our members however its not yet promoting itself as much more than a Flying club style platform currently.
How would you best describe your skills/knowledge with regards to flight simulator?
Our members all think very highly of themselves which is a good thing. It’s certainly something for the TA team to review what extra skills we can offer to those that feel capable already.
What type of Aircraft source do you mostly use in your sim?
This is a huge shift since the past survey which was pretty much 50/50. This probably reflects the experienced nature of our members and the quality of some modern payware products. We anticipate freeware development to continue to decline in the FS community in the future as those developers with skills put them to paid work.
Do you plan to own any of the upcoming sim titles?
QW 787 is clearly anticipated for v4 users, this question does not include those planning to purchase for FSX also. Expansion of this type is certainly one to focus on in 2018. Aerosoft A330 comes in second, who knows when that will be out. P3Dv4 A320 also highly anticipated and purchasers can slot that straight into our operations.
How often do you fly the following route type?
Mainstream Domestic and European are top unsurprisingly, Fly2 not far behind. Long haul routes overall stats are up this year, but we understand not everyone has the time or a system to do them.
Please rate Fly UK operations in the following areas on 1-5 scale (5 being best)
Aside from Freeware quality (which is mostly out of our hands) we reassuringly score well in all areas. Results support Fly UK's long-standing policies and operating ethos as being a strong one that will continue to serve us well.
With regard to your member experience with Fly UK, how important are/would the following features be to you?
A question on the future here, members would be interested and positive if Fly UK introduced features such as Achievement goals, type ratings more flight stats and career modes. Realistic destination and schedule is a top priority and this result solidifies our current operating model as the correct one to have.
Would you change the balance of operational realism vs freedom at Fly UK?
A good question which is something that regularly crops up in e-mails, charts and forums. Clearly our members are strongly in favour of the current balance and we should continue our current policy, this includes fleet use and type enforcement.
Fly UK operates a realistic modern fleet policy representing real world current airline fleet changes. Should the VA......?
We already recently declared our stance on the classic/retro requests...this result supports our stance.
Fly UK is reviewing it rank, reward structure and pilot logs for the future. What would you feel about the following possible features?
All positive results, we appreciate not all guys don't like landing rates (probably Majestic Q400 pilots
) but if we ever did introduce that feature then it would remain private to the member.
How regularly do you fly the following Fly UK fleet types?
Reflects the "what payware do you own" question. Our 1-3 hour route fleet is always going to be the most popular.
Should Fly UK fleet consider the following current production types if available for sim platforms in the future?
Of those we know to have payware products coming the 787-9 and 737max family get a big vote. A32x NEO family also. A350 is already on our radar, just awaiting a good payware product to come along. More interest in an A380 than 748i but at present we still don’t see a place for it here. Even with if a payware product does some along, ordering it would go against the realistic operating model given both Airbus and Boeing four engine choices are not selling.
Have you ever flown with the flying club?
Although 55% have not ventured to FC, this is an improvement from last year though so a positive.
If you do not fly online, why do you not ?(Please tick all that apply).
Whilst 51% of folks just don't want to fly online and that won’t change, The significant remainder either don't know how, are afraid too or can’t get themselves setup. This is where the TA and FSD should step to the fore. We have already begun to focus on ways to support this section of the member base with a view to getting them set-up and confident to get online.
If you have used the Fly UK FSD server please rate the following areas
All good but in year one it’s still WIP...great effort by those getting it running, 2018 is all about improving.
For further information, please don't hesitate to contact us
Matthew Lewis - Operations Manager
E-Mail: Matthew.lewis[at]flyuk.aero
As we mentioned when the survey was launched, the FS community has seen a huge shift in the simming landscape since the last survey we ran so the feedback we get is essential. Full summary data and charts can be viewed via the link that follows, some users may have to hover over some graph result lines for description - https://docs.google....c/viewanalytics
The staff team have had time to digest the results, so we have added some summary notes and reflections for some select question below linked to the relevant questions.
How long have you been a member of Fly UK?
Over half of our members have been with us under two years. Whilst the recent revival of sim platforms post 64bit may be a significant factor in the popularity of flight simming, Fly UK needs to ensure the VA has long lasting appeal and remains fresh. We should always have solid group of long standing members...we should seek to grow here and indications are that is being achieved.
What is your age?
No surprises here that we have a wide range of ages within the member base proving the popularity of the VA and hobby spans many generations. No age range stands out however the 23-35 category did surprise us as higher than we would expect as that's the classic age for career demands and young family.
How long have you been Flight simming?
52.1% of members have been simming over 10 years, compared to the membership length question this does indicate the VA is attracting experienced members more so than people new to the hobby. Given the range of new platforms, the number of members that are starting out in simming is particularly low. Our Marketing teams can seek in future to promote the world of VA's to new simmers as popularity rises in the 64bit generation.
If you can recall, what features made you become a member of Fly UK? Select as many of the options as you wish.
Brand Image, Fleet and schedule is the biggest draw to Fly UK. Tours, franchises and community next on the list. Training/Events and Flying club come in lower down the priorities but remain essential part of Fly UK offering. We will seek to promote those better in future without losing site of the main airline operations that most desire.
At present, which of the following Flight Simulation Platforms do you use? (Tick all that apply)
FSX/FSX steam still holds the lead but P3Dv4 has really taken hold in the popularity in a very short space of time. XP11 is growing but not significantly so compared to P3D however is still a platform that will continue to evolve and gain momentum so deserves good support, particularly as Fly UK are one of very few VA's to support it. Stats confirm its right to stop supporting FS9 as further decline in that area although we are conscious FS9 users may have moved on.
Do you plan to change your primary sim platform in the next 12 months to any of the following? (Tick all that apply)
62% going to P3Dv4 is a huge shift. FSW is of little interest to our members however its not yet promoting itself as much more than a Flying club style platform currently.
How would you best describe your skills/knowledge with regards to flight simulator?
Our members all think very highly of themselves which is a good thing. It’s certainly something for the TA team to review what extra skills we can offer to those that feel capable already.
What type of Aircraft source do you mostly use in your sim?
This is a huge shift since the past survey which was pretty much 50/50. This probably reflects the experienced nature of our members and the quality of some modern payware products. We anticipate freeware development to continue to decline in the FS community in the future as those developers with skills put them to paid work.
Do you plan to own any of the upcoming sim titles?
QW 787 is clearly anticipated for v4 users, this question does not include those planning to purchase for FSX also. Expansion of this type is certainly one to focus on in 2018. Aerosoft A330 comes in second, who knows when that will be out. P3Dv4 A320 also highly anticipated and purchasers can slot that straight into our operations.
How often do you fly the following route type?
Mainstream Domestic and European are top unsurprisingly, Fly2 not far behind. Long haul routes overall stats are up this year, but we understand not everyone has the time or a system to do them.
Please rate Fly UK operations in the following areas on 1-5 scale (5 being best)
Aside from Freeware quality (which is mostly out of our hands) we reassuringly score well in all areas. Results support Fly UK's long-standing policies and operating ethos as being a strong one that will continue to serve us well.
With regard to your member experience with Fly UK, how important are/would the following features be to you?
A question on the future here, members would be interested and positive if Fly UK introduced features such as Achievement goals, type ratings more flight stats and career modes. Realistic destination and schedule is a top priority and this result solidifies our current operating model as the correct one to have.
Would you change the balance of operational realism vs freedom at Fly UK?
A good question which is something that regularly crops up in e-mails, charts and forums. Clearly our members are strongly in favour of the current balance and we should continue our current policy, this includes fleet use and type enforcement.
Fly UK operates a realistic modern fleet policy representing real world current airline fleet changes. Should the VA......?
We already recently declared our stance on the classic/retro requests...this result supports our stance.
Fly UK is reviewing it rank, reward structure and pilot logs for the future. What would you feel about the following possible features?
All positive results, we appreciate not all guys don't like landing rates (probably Majestic Q400 pilots
) but if we ever did introduce that feature then it would remain private to the member.How regularly do you fly the following Fly UK fleet types?
Reflects the "what payware do you own" question. Our 1-3 hour route fleet is always going to be the most popular.
Should Fly UK fleet consider the following current production types if available for sim platforms in the future?
Of those we know to have payware products coming the 787-9 and 737max family get a big vote. A32x NEO family also. A350 is already on our radar, just awaiting a good payware product to come along. More interest in an A380 than 748i but at present we still don’t see a place for it here. Even with if a payware product does some along, ordering it would go against the realistic operating model given both Airbus and Boeing four engine choices are not selling.
Have you ever flown with the flying club?
Although 55% have not ventured to FC, this is an improvement from last year though so a positive.
If you do not fly online, why do you not ?(Please tick all that apply).
Whilst 51% of folks just don't want to fly online and that won’t change, The significant remainder either don't know how, are afraid too or can’t get themselves setup. This is where the TA and FSD should step to the fore. We have already begun to focus on ways to support this section of the member base with a view to getting them set-up and confident to get online.
If you have used the Fly UK FSD server please rate the following areas
All good but in year one it’s still WIP...great effort by those getting it running, 2018 is all about improving.
For further information, please don't hesitate to contact us
Matthew Lewis - Operations Manager
E-Mail: Matthew.lewis[at]flyuk.aero
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