Your first flight on VATSIM: what you need and where to start
VATSIM is a free network where virtual pilots fly together and volunteer controllers run the traffic by voice, as in real aviation. Almost everyone is nervous before the first flight, yet it is easier than it looks. Here is the way from sign-up to landing.
What you need
- a simulator: MSFS 2020 or 2024, X-Plane or Prepar3D;
- an account at vatsim.net: after signing up, a new pilot takes a short orientation course and a test;
- a pilot client that links the simulator to the network: vPilot for MSFS and Prepar3D, xPilot for X-Plane;
- a headset with a microphone. If speaking feels too scary for now, you may type instead.
Before the flight
Pick a short route of 40 to 60 minutes between airports you know. The traffic map shows where controllers are working right now. A quiet airport is best for a first try: less traffic, more time to think.
Build a flight plan in SimBrief and open it in our briefing: it has a “File on VATSIM” button, plus weather, NOTAMs and a taxi route.
Connecting
- park the aircraft at a stand. Never connect on a runway or a taxiway: another aircraft may be there;
- a callsign is an airline code plus a number, for example AUI123;
- listen to the ATIS (a recording with the weather and the runway in use) and note the information letter;
- call the “lowest” controller online: Delivery, then Ground, Tower, Approach and Centre. When a position is missing, the next one above covers it.
When nobody is online
Often there is no controller at your airport, and that is normal. Tune UNICOM 122.800 and type short messages about what you are doing: taxi, takeoff, approach, landing. Our Ukrainian ATC page shows when Ukrainian controllers were last online.
Three last tips:
- tell the controller you are new: they will speak more slowly;
- do not leave the aircraft unattended for more than 30 minutes;
- if someone is disrupting you or you are lost, the .wallop command calls a network supervisor.
An event is the easiest start: the events page shows where many controllers will be online this week.