Aviodrome Aviation Museum Lelystad: Boeing 737, F-16, Starfighter & Diamond DA40 Simulators

Flight Simulator Lelystad — Boeing 737, F-16, Starfighter & Diamond DA40 at Aviodrome

Aviation Museum Aviodrome is the Netherlands’ national aviation museum, located at Lelystad Airport in Flevoland — and one of the very few museums in Europe where multiple distinct cockpit simulators are included as part of the standard admission price, available to all visitors from age 6 upwards. With four different simulator experiences on offer — a Boeing 737, an F-16 Fighting Falcon, a Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, and a brand new Diamond DA40 — Aviodrome is a genuinely unique aviation destination for families, aviation enthusiasts, and anyone wanting a hands-on cockpit experience without booking a dedicated simulator session.

The museum won the award for Leukste Uitje Flevoland 2026 — the best outing in Flevoland — and sits directly at Lelystad Airport, giving visitors the added spectacle of real aircraft movements visible from the museum grounds throughout the day.

Boeing 737 Simulator — The Dry Sea

The most historically significant simulator at Aviodrome is the Dry Sea Generic Simulator — a device with a remarkable provenance. Originally built in the late 1950s for KLM to train DC-7 pilots, the simulator served until 1972 before being taken over by the Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR) for research into human factors, new cockpit instruments, and approach procedures. The modified cockpit was rebuilt several times through the 1980s and has since been converted to fly as a Boeing 737 at Aviodrome.

Flying the Dry Sea puts you at the controls of a Boeing 737 in a device that has been a fixture of Dutch aviation training and research for over six decades — a piece of living aviation history in full working order. Minimum height 1.60 metres. Supervised by trained volunteer guides.

F-16 Fighting Falcon & F-104 Starfighter Simulators

In the jet fighter exhibition, two cockpit simulators give visitors the chance to experience combat aviation from the pilot’s seat. The F-16 Fighting Falcon has been the backbone of the Royal Netherlands Air Force for decades, and the F-104 Starfighter preceded it as one of the most iconic fighter jets of the Cold War era. Both simulators are available from minimum age 6 — making them the most accessible fighter jet simulator experience in the Netherlands, suitable for children and adults alike. Supervised by volunteer guides.

Diamond DA40 Simulator

Donated to Aviodrome in 2025 by Chinese company Wright Brother Flight Technology (WBFT), the Diamond DA40 simulator is the newest addition to the museum’s simulator fleet. The DA40 is a modern single-engine composite aircraft used widely in pilot training across Europe, equipped with a glass cockpit avionics suite. The simulator gives visitors a realistic experience of flying a contemporary light aircraft under the guidance of a volunteer instructor. Minimum age 16 years.

Important Visitor Notes

The simulators at Aviodrome are maintained and supervised by trained volunteers. On busy days or when volunteer availability is limited, one or more simulators may be unexpectedly closed. The museum does its best to keep all simulators running but this cannot be guaranteed on every visit. Check with the museum on arrival to confirm which simulators are operational on your day of visiting.

Plan Your Visit

Aviodrome is open daily — check the museum website for current opening hours and seasonal schedules. The museum is located at Pelikaanweg 50, 8218 PH Lelystad, directly at Lelystad Airport. By car, Lelystad is approximately 55 minutes from Amsterdam. Book tickets online at aviodrome.nl. Simulator access is included with standard museum admission — no separate booking is required for the simulators.