Your first flight on IVAO: how to start and what is different
IVAO is a free network with live controllers, very similar to VATSIM. The rules of flying are the same; the software and the community differ. If your friends or favourite controllers fly here, starting is not hard.
What you need
- an account at ivao.aero. You can fly right after signing up; exams are only needed for higher ratings;
- the Altitude pilot client: it links MSFS, X-Plane and Prepar3D to the network and has voice built in;
- a headset. Typing is allowed too.
The first flight
- pick a short route between airports you know. On our traffic map switch the network to IVAO to see where controllers and aircraft are right now;
- build a flight plan in SimBrief and file it with the network before departure: you can do that from SimBrief or right in the Altitude client;
- park at a stand and only then connect. Connecting on a runway or a taxiway is not allowed;
- call the “lowest” controller online: Delivery, Ground, Tower, Approach, Centre. If nobody is there, tune UNICOM 122.800 and announce what you are doing in short messages.
How IVAO differs from VATSIM
- a different pilot client and its own website for flight plans and the traffic map;
- the network is split into national divisions that run their own events and training;
- there are fewer pilots and controllers overall, but coverage in some European countries can be better.
You do not have to choose for good: you can hold an account on both networks and fly wherever tonight looks more interesting.
On VEKTARO the VATSIM | IVAO switch is in the menu on the left. It changes the data on the Online now page, the map, the briefing and the airport pages.
Never flown online at all? Read the first flight on VATSIM guide first: it explains the steps and talking to a controller in more detail.