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Guides

Short step-by-step explanations for virtual pilots: how to start flying online, read the weather and prepare a flight. In plain words, with links to our tools.

01 Your first flight on VATSIM: what you need and where to start Step by step for a beginner: sign-up, the pilot client, a flight plan, the first connection and talking to a controller. 2 min read 02 How to read a METAR: a weather report piece by piece What every group in a METAR means, shown on two examples: fine weather and a hard day. With a decoder that does it for you. 2 min read 03 A SimBrief flight plan in 10 minutes How to make your first SimBrief flight plan, what to read in it first and how to open it in the VEKTARO briefing. 2 min read 04 Radio for beginners: the phrases that get you through a first flight How to build a call, what you must read back to the controller and a sample conversation from clearance to landing. 2 min read 05 How to read a TAF: the weather forecast for an airport What the periods, TEMPO, BECMG, FM and PROB mean in a TAF, and how to tell what the weather will be when you arrive. 2 min read 06 Your first flight on IVAO: how to start and what is different IVAO is the second big network for virtual pilots. Sign-up, the pilot client, a flight plan and the first connection, step by step. 2 min read

Try it in practice

METAR / TAF decoder SimBrief briefing Traffic map Where to fly

The guides are written for flight simulation and do not replace real flight training.