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Virtual Air Traffic Simulation Network (VATSIM) is a
nonprofit A nonprofit organization (NPO), also known as a nonbusiness entity, nonprofit institution, not-for-profit organization, or simply a nonprofit, is a non-governmental (private) legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public, or so ...
organization that operates an online flight-simulation network noted for its active membership and realism. Users are able to connect to VATSIM and fly aircraft as a
pilot An aircraft pilot or aviator is a person who controls the flight of an aircraft by operating its Aircraft flight control system, directional flight controls. Some other aircrew, aircrew members, such as navigators or flight engineers, are al ...
, or direct traffic as an
air traffic controller An Air traffic controller (ATC) is a person responsible for the coordination of traffic in their assigned airspace. Typically stationed in area control centers or control towers, they monitor the position, speed, and altitude of aircraft and c ...
in what has been described as a close approximation of real-life
aviation Aviation includes the activities surrounding mechanical flight and the aircraft industry. ''Aircraft'' include fixed-wing and rotary-wing types, morphable wings, wing-less lifting bodies, as well as lighter-than-air aircraft such as h ...
procedures.


Overview

Communications between pilots and controllers are carried out using integrated
VoIP Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), also known as IP telephony, is a set of technologies used primarily for voice communication sessions over Internet Protocol (IP) networks, such as the Internet. VoIP enables voice calls to be transmitted as ...
or in-game text messages. Users are required to use custom
software Software consists of computer programs that instruct the Execution (computing), execution of a computer. Software also includes design documents and specifications. The history of software is closely tied to the development of digital comput ...
, designated as approved clients, in order to connect to the simulation. The main organs of the network consist of the Board of Governors, three of whom are responsible for one of the three geographic regions—namely, the Europe, the Middle East and Africa region, the Asia-Pacific region, and the
Americas The Americas, sometimes collectively called America, are a landmass comprising the totality of North America and South America.''Webster's New World College Dictionary'', 2010 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio. When viewed as a sing ...
region, referred to as VATEUD (Europe division), VATMENA (Middle East - North Africa division), VATAPAC (Asia-Pacific division) and VATAMAS (Americas division). These regions are further subdivided into divisions, some of which further divide into virtual
area control center In air traffic control, an area control center (ACC), also known as a center or en-route center, is a facility responsible for controlling aircraft flying in the airspace of a given flight information region (FIR) at high altitudes between ...
s, and virtual
air route traffic control center In air traffic control, an area control center (ACC), also known as a center or en-route center, is a facility responsible for controlling aircraft flying in the airspace of a given flight information region (FIR) at high altitudes between a ...
s. Operating procedures within each area reflect local standards. The network also has a volunteer team of supervisors that help those who may need assistance in flying on the network and also help resolve reports of other fellow users breaking the VATSIM Code of Conduct. Upon registering for the VATSIM network, new users have to undertake an entry-level test about basic piloting skills and about the rules of the network. This was introduced on September 1, 2020, alongside a further restructuring of the pilot rating system to teach VATSIM users how to properly use the network and reduce the number of cases of pilots connecting without knowing what to do in busy airspace, causing disruption and frustration for some controllers. An update to this system was implemented in early 2025 as the "New Member Orientation Course", which replaced the older system of initial training for new members. Because the simulation adheres as closely as possible to real-life aviation procedures and radio phraseology, VATSIM can function as a training aid for student pilots lacking experience and private and commercial pilots looking to enhance their skills in radio communications. Events in the simulation are not
hard coded Hard coding (also hard-coding or hardcoding) is the software development practice of embedding data directly into the source code of a computer program, program or other executable object, as opposed to obtaining the data from external sources o ...
on the network but rather emerge through human interaction and error. Consequently, the network has been described as bringing immersion to what was historically a solitary exercise and credited with playing a key role in the commodification of flight-simulation software.


History


Formation of VATSIM

Spearheaded by Harvey Stein, the founding of VATSIM was announced on July 12, 2001, following the dissolution of the Simulated Air Traffic Controllers Organization (SATCO). This occurred after the founding of another network, IVAO, which was more European-oriented, unlike SATCO, which was more American-oriented. The board drew up terms of agreement with Randy Whistler, the then President of SATCO, declaring VATSIM the official successor of SATCO. In 2020, VATSIM announced it had achieved 100,000 active users for the first time, an increase of 20,000 users in two years.


SquawkBox and ProController

The advent of the Internet in the mid-1990s enabled users of modern flight simulators to fly together using multiplayer functionality. In 1997, ''SquawkBox'' was created by Jason Grooms as an add-on for '' Microsoft Flight Simulator 95'', enhancing the built-in multiplayer features to allow large numbers of players to connect to the game. ''ProController'', a radar-simulation program also developed by Jason Grooms, was created in the same year to connect virtual pilots with virtual controllers. The ''FSD Server'' was created by Marty Bochane to provide the signaling infrastructure and logic required to integrate ''ProController'' and ''Squawkbox'', enabling users to fly in real-world weather conditions. ProController was retired as an approved ATC client on March 13, 2004.


ASRC and Roger Wilco

Sometime in 2002, ProController was slowly being phased out in favour of ASRC (Advanced Simulated Radar Client), created by Mike Evans and David Hendleman, and was released to the public in early 2003. Alongside that,
Roger Wilco (software) Roger Wilco is one of the first voice-over-IP client programs designed primarily for use with online multiplayer video games. Roger Wilco enabled online gamers to talk to one another through a computer headset or other audio input device i ...
was used to facilitate voice communications between pilots and ATC, with ATC denoting that voice communications were available with them with the callsign format XXXX_V_TWR, alongside putting their voice server IP and voice room name in their ATIS. Later, however, Roger Wilco was phased out in favour of the Advanced Voice Client, which required VATSIM authentication to prevent any non-VATSIM users from logging into the voice servers. The ASRC software was retired as an ATC client on April 1, 2021, due to its not being in active development, which will make it incompatible with fast position updates that will be brought with VATSIM Velocity. On March 27, 2005, an alternative add-on to FS2002/FS2004 and FSX called FSInn was approved for use on the VATSIM network alongside SquawkBox.


Air Traffic Controller clients

On April 17, 2006, the Virtual Radar Client (VRC) was approved for use on the VATSIM network. Created by Ross Carlson, it was mainly used in the American and Oceanic regions, due to its easy setup, but comes with a lack of customizability. Discontinued as of October 9, 2023, besides the Network Supervisors VRC isn't used by anyone. On September 15, 2007, the EuroScope ATC client was approved for use on the VATSIM network. Created by Gergely Csernák, the client is reported to be the most used ATC client on VATSIM, due to its custom plugin support, realistic radar screens, and automatic controller coordination. It is designed to integrate with other ATC clients like VRC, vSTARS, and vERAM, however. It is generally used mostly in the Europe, Asia and South American regions. On January 14, 2012, the vSTARS ATC client was approved for use on the VATSIM network. Also created by Ross Carlson, the client aims to replicate the real-world
STARS A star is a luminous spheroid of plasma held together by self-gravity. The nearest star to Earth is the Sun. Many other stars are visible to the naked eye at night; their immense distances from Earth make them appear as fixed points of ...
system used in many US
TRACON Air traffic control (ATC) is a service provided by ground-based air traffic controllers who direct aircraft on the ground and through a given section of controlled airspace, and can provide advisory services to aircraft in non-controlled air ...
facilities. On February 27, 2016, the vERAM ATC client was approved for use on the VATSIM network. Also created by Ross Carlson, the client aims to replicate the real-world
ERAM The En Route Automation Modernization (ERAM) system architecture replaces the En Route Host computer system and its backup. ERAM provides all of today's functionality and: * Adds new capabilities needed to support the evolution of US National Air ...
system used in many US ARTCC facilities. On July 18, 2020, the vatSys ATC client was approved for use on the VATSIM network. Created by Jake Saw, the client aimed to replicate the real-word TAAATS system used in Australia, but is now modelled off the Eurocat/TopSky systems. It features an advanced profiling system which "means that the look and feel of the client can be adjusted with a simple few clicks". As of October 9, 2023, VRC, vSTARS, and vERAM are being deprecated and replaced by the Virtual National Airspace System (vNAS) suite of products. This software is being actively developed and utilized by all ARTCCs in VATUSA. CRC includes has several modes (STARS, ERAM, ASDE-X and Tower Cab) included within single client and it is highly customizable unlike its predecessor VRC. Pilot Clients VATSIM has 3 approved pilot clients as of April 2025 Swift pilot client is a
multi-platform Within computing, cross-platform software (also called multi-platform software, platform-agnostic software, or platform-independent software) is computer software that is designed to work in several computing platforms. Some cross-platform softw ...
(Windows, MacOs, Linux) and multi-flight simulator (X-Plane 11, MSFS, MSFS2024, P3D, FSX, FS9, FlightGear), this pilot client is not as popular among pilots anymore due to its old GUI, nevertheless it is still being actively developed. vPilot created by Ross Carlson is still being actively developed and used by majority of MSFS, MSFS2024, P3D and FSX users. xPilot developed by Justin Shannon is a pilot client for X-Plane, as of August 2020 this project was moved to be an open-source to help with development


Audio for VATSIM

From its inception, VATSIM employed a system consisting of voice 'rooms', in which, by using custom-written TeamSpeak 2 servers as a backbone, each virtual 'frequency' functioned similarly to a VoIP conference call, and any pilot(s) can transmit on a frequency and talk to each other on any frequency, but it is prohibited to use the frequencies for any non-operational reasons. In October 2019, VATSIM had finished a complete overhaul of its voice system and called it Audio for VATSIM, a key feature of which is simulation of the entire VHF radio range, thus eliminating the need for voice rooms. The system realistically simulates signal degradation,
audio quality Sound quality is typically an assessment of the accuracy, fidelity, or Intelligibility (communication), intelligibility of sound, audio output from an electronic device. Quality can be measured objectively, such as when tools are used to gau ...
,
transceiver In radio communication, a transceiver is an electronic device which is a combination of a radio ''trans''mitter and a re''ceiver'', hence the name. It can both transmit and receive radio waves using an antenna, for communication purposes. The ...
operation, frequency
cross-coupling In organic chemistry, a cross-coupling reaction is a reaction where two different fragments are joined. Cross-couplings are a subset of the more general coupling reactions. Often cross-coupling reactions require metal catalysts. One important reac ...
, and altitude effects.


Microsoft partnership

On July 23, 2020, VATSIM, alongside announcing a complete overhaul of their branding, announced that they had entered into a partnership with Microsoft, to ensure that the desktop PC version of ''
Microsoft Flight Simulator ''Microsoft Flight Simulator'' is a series of Flight simulation video game, flight simulator programs for MS-DOS, Classic Mac OS, and Microsoft Windows operating systems. It was an early product in the Microsoft application portfolio and diff ...
'' would be compatible with VATSIM upon launch. However, due to technical limitations with Xbox VATSIM does not currently support the
Xbox Xbox is a video gaming brand that consists of four main home video game console lines, as well as application software, applications (games), the streaming media, streaming service Xbox Cloud Gaming, and online services such as the Xbox networ ...
version of Microsoft Flight Simulator. VATSIM did not have launce compatability for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 vPilot was updated and released on 1 November 2024.


VATSIM Velocity

On March 13, 2021, VATSIM announced a closed-beta initiative to test low latency position updates on the network, named VATSIM Velocity. With this update, position updates increased from 0.2 Hz (5 seconds) to 5 Hz (0.2 seconds) within a 10-mile range. The SquawkBox and FSInn pilot clients were retired for use on the network on April 1, 2021, due to them not being in active development, which made them incompatible with the fast position updates that were brought with VATSIM Velocity. VATSIM announced that the long-awaited update would be released on January 31, 2022, at 22:00 UTC. Preparations for its launch included major updates to pilot clients, as well as the retirement of Squawkbox, which became incompatible with the network. However, Velocity had no effect on the functionality of controller clients.


VATSIM Inc.

On January 16, 2023, VATSIM announced the creation of a new
501(c)(3) A 501(c)(3) organization is a United States corporation, Trust (business), trust, unincorporated association or other type of organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of Title 26 of the United States Code. It is one of ...
non-profit organization, VATSIM Inc. and said it would start accepting donations. VATSIM also stated that it would be transferring ownership to a new board of directors.


Reception

Considered the largest online flight simulation network in the world, VATSIM has attracted mainstream media attention. Commentators have praised VATSIM for its realism and quality, describing the network as giving flight simulation an interest and depth it would otherwise lack and lauding its friendly atmosphere. Coverage, although mostly positive, has focused on what is perceived to be the peculiar nature of a hobby so complex that it can closely approximate work and cost thousands of dollars. The experience has been described as more strict, for both air traffic controllers and pilots, than some participants might like.


Membership and training

VATSIM has over 191,316 active members as of Q1 2025. Of which 176,385 (92%) hold a Pilot/Observer rating, and 14,907 (8%) hold an ATC, Supervisor or Administrator rating. Joining is free, and there are no usage fees associated with connecting to the network. Pilots must successfully complete a new member orientation course, including a simple exam that helps reinforce the knowledge of basic piloting skills and the rules of the network as of January 22, 2025. They may also undertake optional training to learn how to fly certain procedures on the network. Pilots may also transfer their real world license into a VATSIM rating as many real world pilots fly on the VATSIM network. The current pilot ratings are: * P0 - Basic VATSIM User (awarded after completion of the New User Orientation Program since September 1, 2020) * P1 - Private Pilot License (PPL) * P2 - Instrument Rating (IR) * P3 - Commercial Multi-Engine Licence (CMEL) * P4 - Airline Transport License (ATPL) Pilots are able to file their own flight plans either through their flight plan dialog in their pilot client or "pre-filing" by using the myVATSIM ICAO flight planning form, also used by flight planning sites and flight tracking tools such as projectFLY, SimBrief, SimToolkitPro, and Volanta. Air Traffic Controllers are required to undertake mandatory training before they are permitted to direct traffic. Global Controller Administration Policy defines the requirements for each ATC rating, preceding local division restrictions. The ratings are as follows: * S1 - Tower Trainee - no particular competencies, validated to control some aerodrome positions (defined locally) * S2 - Tower Controller - validated to control Delivery (DEL), Ground (GND) and Tower (TWR) facilities except procedural tower (subject to training) * S3 - TMA Controller - validated to control all facilities up to Approach (APP/DEP) level * C1 - Enroute Controller - validated to control all available facilities, including Center (CTR) * C3 - Senior Controller - a special rating awarded to users at the discretion of their local region/division for seniority/recognition, giving unrestricted access to all ATC in their division * I1 - Instructor - validated to train and instruct all virtual Air Traffic Controllers, they have the ability to control the same positions as an enroute controller * I3 - Senior Instructor - a special rating awarded to instructors at the discretion of their local region/division for seniority/recognition, it is also used for Chief Instructors within a region/division


Events

The network creates and sponsors regular events to encourage interaction between pilots and controllers, during which traffic can approximate real-life levels.


Worldflight

Worldflight Australia is an annual virtual round-the-world charity event that has been run continuously since 2001, where 11 teams from different countries in their own fixed-base aircraft simulators fly to over 40 destinations around the world on VATSIM to raise money for the Australian
Royal Flying Doctor Service The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS), commonly known as the Flying Doctor, is an aeromedical retrieval service in Australia and the largest of its kind in the world. It is a non-profit organisation that provides urgent and emergency medica ...
. VATSIM air traffic controllers provide service throughout this event. In 2006, fifteen enthusiasts conducted a 130-hour flight in a full-sized
Boeing 747-400 The Boeing 747-400 is a large, long-range wide-body airliner produced by Boeing Commercial Airplanes, an advanced variant of the initial Boeing 747. The ''Advanced Series 300'' was announced at the September 1984 Farnborough Airshow, target ...
simulator, for which
Qantas Qantas ( ), formally Qantas Airways Limited, is the flag carrier of Australia, and the largest airline by fleet size, international flights, and international destinations in Australia and List of largest airlines in Oceania, Oceania. A foundi ...
provided food.


Cross the Pond

Cross the Pond is a biannual event during which pilots complete transatlantic flights across " The Pond" between Europe and Northern America. The event alternates between westbound and eastbound every 6 months. Certain airports are selected a few months prior for which pilots can book slots to fly for, and VATSIM air traffic controllers provide full service for each of these airports throughout the event. The event is meticulously planned and coordinated by all major VATSIM staff members, to make sure that pilots enjoy their service. During the Autumn 2024 event, VATSIM surpassed its record of most unique connections to the network with 3,208, also making it the biggest online flight simulation network to date. The record was once again broken during the subsequent Spring 2025 event, with 3238 unique connections to the network.


Regional events

In addition to the global/international events that VATSIM sponsors and advertises, regional events can be found daily throughout the network. These events can range from small in size, including only a few airports or facilities, to very large in size, spanning across multiple regions and facilities. Although they don't typically attract record-breaking traffic, these events have been known to draw enough pilots to simulate, (and often surpass) real-world operations at the selected facilities.


See also

* Virtual airline *
Flight simulator A flight simulator is a device that artificially re-creates aircraft flight and the environment in which it flies, for pilot training, design, or other purposes. It includes replicating the equations that govern how aircraft fly, how they rea ...
*
Massively multiplayer online game A massively multiplayer online game (MMOG or more commonly MMO) is an online video game with a large number of players to interact in the same online game world. MMOs usually feature a huge, persistent world, persistent open world, although t ...
*
Air Traffic Control Air traffic control (ATC) is a service provided by ground-based air traffic controllers who direct aircraft on the ground and through a given section of controlled airspace, and can provide advisory services to aircraft in non-controlled air ...
*
International Virtual Aviation Organisation International Virtual Aviation Organisation VZW (IVAO) is a non-profit organisation, non-profit association which operates a free-of-charge online flight simulation, flight-simulation computer network, network. Following free registration users ...
*
FlightSimCon FlightSimCon was an annual aviation and flight simulation conference held on the grounds of Connecticut's Bradley International Airport. Until 2016, the event was held at the nearby New England Air Museum. The event grew in size every year sin ...


References


External links

* – Includes links to region and division-specific websites.
SimAware
– Official live flight tracking map & statistics for VATSIM traffic.
VAT-Spy
– A widely used flight tracking tool & statistic viewer for VATSIM. Data can be update
here.VATTASTIC
– An unofficial flight tracking map for VATSIM traffic with statistics.
vataware
– Detailed statistics & live flight tracking for VATSIM traffic.
Worldflight Group
{{Webarchive, url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526020554/http://www.worldflightgroup.com/ , date=May 26, 2022 – Worldflight Group official website. Aviation websites Microsoft Flight Simulator add-ons Mitre Corporation Flight simulation video games