Ian StephensWe understand that we are privileged to have such an open, friendly and diverse community around us. With so many great innovations and ideas brought to life by the experts of the community, we love spending time working with others and seeing what the general consensus is throughout. Our main aim is always to provide a service that can be trustworthy and easy to use, but we also spend a lot of time working with other flight simulation websites.
Thomas Verne Allensworth September 8, 1950 - April 4, 2015
This is why, with much regret, we must pass on the devastating knowledge that the founder of AVSIM, Thomas Verne Allensworth, has passed away. We want to send our most heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Thomas, as well as to the entire AVSIM community. Our lives are all built around what we can do, what we achieve in the world, and it’s fair to say that Tom achieved a huge amount in his life.
Thomas passed away peacefully surrounded by his three most beloved objects; his wife, Denise, his cats and his beloved AVSIM. Thomas has left a massive gap within his family, as well as the flight simulation community as a whole, as we mourn the passing of a truly generous, caring man. Thomas leaves behind his wife Denise, his mother Retha and siblings Steve and Linda. To the Allensworth family; we pass on our wishes, thoughts and prayers for your deeply tragic loss at this difficult time.
In life, Thomas was a vibrant individual who dealt with so many different aspects of life. A loving, caring husband who spent many years with his wife, he served in the US Navy for 4 years as part of the Navy Aviation group. He also served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Fiji during 1977-1979, and was the Direct of International Business Development at Northrop Grumman.
His life was one of massive interest and dedication, having helped serve across these three functions with professionalism and dedication at all times. However, Thomas’ main career achievement would have to be creating the amazing AVSIM. Launched in 1997, this non-profit community has become one of the most prominent parts of the flight simulation community, offering the chance for people from all around the world to try out flight simulation products they may never have heard of before. Through AVSIM, the excitement and enjoyment of thousands of people have been more or less guaranteed. The website offers a massive arrangement of different products and downloads, including everything from scenery packages to new aircraft entirely – whatever you need, you will most likely find featured on AVSIM.
It’s a massive part of the community, and shows just how dedicated Tom was to helping others – his knowledge of aviation and flight simulation was almost unparalleled, as he helped many other flight simulation websites and communities take off and become stronger. His life has seen many different twists and turns over the years, having served in many parts of the world. Thomas served in a variety of countries over the years, including Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Tonga, Fiji, Indonesia, South Korea, Taiwan, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, New Hebrides, Brazil, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Tunisia, Turkey, Greece, Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Austria, Luxemburg, Bahamas, Switzerland, Canada, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Mexico, and United Kingdom.
It’s this massive range of international knowledge and experience that made his contribution to the flight simulation community so vast; by opening up the door for others through his own experience, Tom Allensworth was able to help forge the foundations for one of the strongest and most reliable online communities in the world.
Over his life, Thomas came into contact with many people and made many friends thanks to his caring, others first mentality. His decisions to always help others out and ensure they were alright long before he would deal with any problems of his own was something that was held dear within his circle of family, friends or admirers. Whether he was offering basic assistance in dealing with a problem through the AVSIM community or just having a chat with a member about something they felt unsure over, Thomas could be a hugely commanding and comforting presence for people. Add in his incredible depth of knowledge about aviation and flying in general, though, and Tom was a massively important part to the development and growth of flight simulation. Without the efforts of Thomas to establish AVSIM, the flight simulation community would likely be nowhere near as big as it is.
Thomas an AVSIM stood as the pinnacle of the community, and offered countless tidbits of advice to people who must would have seen as his competitors; a true mark of a caring, friendly and warm individual who got more out of life when helping others.
We would like to make special note of two key people within Thomas’s life, and pass on our condolences to them, also. Ray Miller and Julian Heck were close friends of Tm, and have lost a good man and a close friend today – we feel your pain, and wish you strength and courage in your battle to overcome this tragic loss. Additionally, those at TGIF, the Bonefish Grill and the entire flight simulation community will be hurt and affected by this message; we send our condolences to anyone touched by the passing of such a good person.
We would also like to pass on our thanks to Dr. Dan Becker, who took the time to look out for Thomas in his final stages of life after he was discharged from hospital. We also thank the Hospice staff who cared for Thomas in his final stages ensuring that he could live a comfortable life towards the need whilst still being surrounded by the things in life that he would have loved the most.
If you would like to make a donation of flowers, then the Allensworth family has asked that you send all donations to;
Hospice of the Piedmont670 Peter Jefferson Parkway
Suite 300
Charlottesville VA
2911
Thomas, thank you for all that you have done in the name of improving the flight simulation community and bringing together a hugely important part of many of our lives. Without the dedication and strength of character that you showed through a tremendous life, flight simulation may never have become the massive industry that it is today.
About AVSIM
 AVSIM in 1997 |
 AVSIM Today |
As the highest ranked and rated flight simulation website on the internet, it’s the most visited page for anyone within the flight simulation community who wants to pick up anything from new scenery and styles to completely new aircraft created by professional designers.
The early life of AVSIM were helped by Tom spending time working a Bulletin Board System in the early 1980s, as well as flight lessons in the 1970s, helped to combine a truly enterprising career that would help shape the future of the flight simulation community as a whole. Towards the end of 1996, production began on what would become one of the most prominent parts of a community with thousands of members worldwide.
Initially, AVSIM was to be used for collecting articles and images of the flight simulation games out there at the time, and sold as a monthly HTML magazine for fans of the series to get involved with. However, it eventually developed further and went beyond this – AVSIM is the major file library on the web for people wishes to download the best packages and files around. The magazine side of things has grown ever since, and has become one of the major publications alongside the file libraries that make up AVSIM – if you need new files or improvements for your flight simulator, you will find them here in abundance and variety giving you so many options.
Memorial flights are going to be carried out in honor of Thomas through Microsoft Flight Simulator programs, so it’s really nice to see that many people are able to capture the spirit and memory of such a truly interesting and caring individual – you can find out more about these memorial flights here.
Described as a cornerstone of the community by many, it was the hard work and determination of Tom throughout his life to create something that was really recognized by the community as the way forward for so many.
At Fly Away Simulation, we want to share our heartfelt thanks to Tom; it was his influence, success and demeanor that helped to establish us, as well. Thomas introduced many people to the flight simulation community and made them fall in love with it every bit as much as he was – he is, without a doubt, one of the most prominent names of all time within flight simulation.
Rest in peace, Thomas.
Don't forget... We have a huge selection (over 24,000 files) of free mods and add-ons for MSFS, FSX, P3D & X-Plane in the file library. Files include aircraft, scenery, and utilities All are free-to-download and use - you don't even need to register. Browse on down to the file library here.
82 comments
Leave a ResponseThe content of the comments below are entirely the opinions of the individual posting the comment and do not always reflect the views of Fly Away Simulation. We moderate all comments manually before they are approved.
Sad news indeed and my sincere condolences to the Allensworth family. Through his unstinting work my enjoyment of flight simming has increased tremendously.
Sorry to kno that Thomas passed away....accept my sympathy
My most hearthfelt condolencies to family and friends of that great man that was Mr. Thomas Allensworth. José Serra
My first captain has passed away. My sincere condolences to his family an friends, as well as to his colleagues.
R.I.P. above the clouds. Your final touchdown.
My condolesces to his family; a great man who will live among us through his outstanding creation: AVSIM. Certainly a sad lost for his family and the fly simulation community. Thanks Thomas, Rest in peace. From Santiago, Chile, South America.
My heartfelt condolences to Thomas Allensworth's family. I owe Thomas my thanks for having established such a great Website as AVSIM. I do not spend a lot of time using my flight simulator, as I am a real professional pilot. But the downloads of aircraft that I fly, or are training to fly, that I get from AVSIM, greatly aid my training and proficiency in these aircraft, making me a safer, better pilot. Thomas' contribution to home simulator users, as well as the larger, real aviation community, may never be truly appreciated or measured. But I, for one, know that the AVSIM family of simulator and actual pilots are grateful for Thomas' hard work in enabling and realizing our flying passions.
I give my deepest sympathies and condolences to the Allensworth family. Tom will be missed in the FlightSim community. May GOD bless your family and help you through this trying time.
A true pioneer and greatly appreciated. My deepest sympathies to his loved ones.
I have never met Tom or heard of him before today, but I was deeply moved by your remarks. My contact came as a result of your Fly Away Simulation company many years ago and I have since become a private pilot at age 58. Your remarks pain a picture of an amazing man, one who could be a role model for us all, and one who made this world better with his life. I salute you for bringing honor to him and I salute his family and close friends who were a part of who he was. I would be enriched and the world would be enriched if I chose to emulate even a few of his honorable traits, and I will endeavor to do just that. Thank you, Ian, for touching my day in a special way with a man's story that I otherwise would not have know.
John Bugni
My sincere condolences to his family an friends.!
II too have never met Tom or heard of him before today.
I'm sure he's flying high among the heavens today, what a dream.
I will pray for both him and his family.
My deepest sympathies and condolences to the Allenworth family on their sad loss. Mr Allenworth gave us the flight sim community years of pleasure and his efforts will live on in our memory for years to come . Bert Harris.
May I take this opportunity to express my deepest condolences to the family and virtual firend for such huge loss.
Osy251
My condolences to his family an friends. I am sure the entire AVSIM community will miss him.
My deepest sympathies. What would we do without enthusiasts like Thomas?
My condolences to all his family. Thomas has inspired and provided so much to our flight simulator world AVSIM.
I'm sorry to here the news of his passing.
Condolences and sympathies.
Thanks to him for sharing his enthusiasm with us.
RIP Tom andmy condolences to the family
You could not find a better man who really knew a lot about flight simulation he was an absolute pleasure to read as well as you learn from the things that he had learned in being in flight simulation rest in peace my friend , now you fly in the sky.
Respect to you Sir....thoughts with your family........RIP Thomas
My most heartfelt condolences go out to Thomas' family and friends. His dedication to the flight sim community will truly be missed.
So sad to hear the news, may you find rest in paradise .
My sincere sympathy for the loss of a good guy who provided so much to all of us in the flight sim community..
Hello Randy Manning here, i have never met Thomas ether , but i do appreciate all that he has done for us out here in flight simulator world, and what him and others have provided . and i do feel deep sympathies for the family . We will certainly miss him. Randy
Condolences to the family of a well accomplished man surrounded by admirers and thoses that appreciate the hard work and never ending ceaseless punching of the keys to get the data in. And what a pleasure when weve always been able to know that if T.A. had anything to do with it, no matter what it was , it was good,. AVSIM. The best site with the best group of simmers in the community, and truthfully doing all of us an honor with good business ethics, Happy Trails my friend.
A big creator and an innovator went... there that these wings of metal spread eternally in the sky of the enthusiasts...
P.B. (Nightfly ) from Belgium-Chièvres air base..
Heartfelt condolences to Thomas's family. Thomas was an inspiration to everyone In the flight Sim community
We are all bound together by our love of aviation. Thomas is still bound by that love for it never ends like the clouds in the sky. Fly high, Thomas........ Fly high.
My condolences to the family.
Sincerest condolences to Thomas's family. I am greatly appreciative of his work and contributions that he has made to the flightsim community. We are bound by our love for aviation, and those bounds will remain never be broken. And when we fly with our silver wings, he will be with us with wings of purest white.
Heartfelt condolences to the family of Thomas. Thomas was an inspiration to everyone in the Flight Sim community and he founded one of the helpful websites for our great Hobby. We will miss him in the future.
My condolence for the family.
With sincere participation.
I too never new of Thomas until yesterday but certainly enjoyed the results of his work. My condolences to his family and friends, from the UK. He is now flying for the greatest Airline ever.
For the Thomas Family - Peace. For us all, a reflection, a word of 'Thanks for things Past' then like he wanted for us all, to charge through the elements we love so much...Simming!! Thanks Thomas, you got us to where we are today - Rest in Peace.
My condolences to his family an friends. His contributions has a lasting effect on my sim flight activities. Thanks Thomas and keep flying. You will be missed.
Mis mas sinceros sentimentos de condolencias para la Familia de Thomas desde Colombia.
Condolences, knowing he has flown to a better place.
Thoughts and prayers to the family. So sorry.
AVSIM was my first Aviation Community back in 2005 and have spent many hours of joy. This has been possible thanks to Thomas initiative and care for the simflyers of the world. May his family receive my deepest condolences. Rest in Peace Thomas. You will be missed.
My sincer condolences to Tom's families, as well as our AVSIM group for loosing our founder.. Outstanding aviation's sim. May god be with him..
R.I.P. Tom and my heartfelt condolences to his family Rudi
A great loss will be missed in fs circles
My deepest sympathy to all of Thomas' family and friends. The world, especially the flight simulation part, is a poorer place for his passing, and he will be sorely missed by everyone who came into contact with him. I have no doubt that he will be watching from on high, and seeing the fruits of his work in simulation come to fruition. Rest in Peace.
Oprechte deelneming aan de familie van Thomas.
Having lost someone last year I know only too well how you feel.
My condolences for the family
My thoughts are with the family and friends of Thomas.
May you find joy and comfort knowing Thomas now soars high with the wings of angels...RIP!
My heartfelt and sincere condolence to Thomas's family and closes friends.
May you find joy and comfort knowing Thomas now soars high with the wings of angels...RIP!
My heartfelt and sincere condolence to Thomas's family and closes friend.
Okinawa, Japan Kadena Air Base
I have used Avsim regularly ever since I started with different Flight Sims. I love the site and to me it was a great creation, giving free and excellent downloads to the simmers world. May you rest in peace and commiserations to all your family . Bill Torode. Age 78yrs
Our deepest condolences from a flightsim group that has enjoyed the great work of AVSIM for years.
Kaj Hallstrom COO Delta Virtual Airlines
My sincere condolences to the family and friends. I was also born in August 1950 and I can tell you that this is affecting me. All the best to the family and friends.
Jacques
Sincéres condoléances à la famille et aux amis. Amicalement. Bon courage à vous pour surmonter cete épreuve.
My sincere condolences to the family and friends
Sincères condoléances à toute sa famille et amis From Belgium
On devrait créer en hommage a ce grand monsieur un aéroport virtuel à son nom.
Sincere condolences to the family and friends, His contribution to AVSIM will be everlasting for it'll be his heritage for all Simflyers. Family & close friends have good reasons to be proud of him.
Good luck with the new wings.
I am saddened to hear about the loss of Mr. Allensworth. AVSIM has been instrumental in helping ATCsimulator become the success that it is. Mr. Allensworth's contribution to the flight sim community is unmatched by any other innovator of the genre. AVSIM has been and I think will always be a leader in the flight sim world, an enormous achievement brought about by the vision of this man. I wish nothing but the best for his family during this very difficult time. He will be missed by so many.
Mi más sentido pésame, a la familia de este gran hombre, que tantas satisfacciones, nos dió, al crear la pagina AVSIM, de descargas y otros, para los que somos afcionados a los Simuladores de Vuelo. Descanse en Paz.
Mi pésame mas sincero a toda la familia. DESCANSE EN PAZ.
My deepest sorrow in the lost for your family and friends. He will be missed to all of US in his Simflyer family he made. My prayer as with HIS family in this time of need. God will be with you. See'a TOM in the morning. Ron
My sincere condolences to family and friends. He was a brilliant man and I feel honoured to have shared an interest with him in an amazing hobby. Rest in peace.
Thank you Thomas for giving us "The Write Stuff". You, Sir are a legend!
My thoughts and prayers are with Tom's family at this time. Tom's contribution in the world of flight simulation made a great impact on us all, and certainly enhanced my personal simulation experience through the years. Tom will be greatly missed! Godspeed!
Sincere symphony on Thomas's passing he brought the sim community together and long may it live on in his memory
My sincere condolences to Thomas Family and friends. Rest in Peace. Direct from São Paulo, Brazil.
rest in peace tom ,,,and condolences to the family .
Deeply saddened to learn of Tom's passing. Fly with the angels now, Tom. Sincere condolences to family and friends.
Thomas was and will be part of my daily routine around flight simulator sites. I´d like to express my deeply condolences to the family and friends of Thomas. We´ll miss you. RIP
My sincere condolences to the relatives and close friends of Tom at this sad time. Avsim was a site that provided me with most of the info and downloads that enhanced my start with flight simulation.I shall always remember Tom and the marvellous site he created.
Thank you Thomas for what you have done for the community. The flight simulation world would not have been the same without your contribution.
Sincere condolences to family and friends.
My sincere condolences to Thomas Family and friends. Rest in Peace. From Gibraltar
My deep sincere condolences to the family. He was a brilliant man and I feel honoured to have shared an interest with him in an amazing hobby. Hope he will continue his hobby in heaven.
Sincere condolences to the family and friends, We all will miss him .....
flightsim will Always stay alive with him! rest in peace direct from Belgium .....
Sad news indeed and my sincere condolences to the Allensworth family.
My sincere condolences to the family. Thomas was very giving, and very talented. He and his contribution to the world of flight simulation will be missed. May God above comfort his loved ones he left behind.
like others, I had only heard of Tom Allensworth today in reading this tribute. I had long been aware of this site, however, and am greatly moved to read of Thomas' contributions to his industry and to eveything in his life. My condolences to his family, and thanks for the life of this very positive and active man.
I have been a member of this site for many years but have never known that Thomas Allensworth was the founder. I have thoroughly enjoyed every moment when logged onto this site and without a doubt, flight simulation has lost a great pioneer. My heartfelt condolences to Thomas' family and may his soul rest in everlasting peace. Thanks again Tom for giving us the most wonderful site for simulation downloads and utter enjoyment and undoubtedly, you will be sorely missed.
my condolences to the family and may you find strength at this difficult time.
I am a new member, and as such I did not know Thomas.
My heart felt condolences go out to his Family.
Thomas, I know you are now with God.
Travel well on your last great journey and may the family have fond and happy memories
There are so many that bring the flight sim community together, and do so asking very little. . My sincere condolences to his family and friends. Rest in Peace Thomas Allensworth, your in good hands.
Sorry to be late, I do however send my condolences to Mr Allensworth, for his great work and the endless hour of happiness he make possible for me by his Avsim enterprise. Rest in peace amongst the galaxies.