Take the world of people who enjoy flying with fight simulators, and combine them with people who enjoy air traffic control, and you have VATSIM – a kind of massively multi-player online game focused on flying and ATC.

Get A Preview

Here are some ways to get an idea of what this is all about:

There are many videos on YouTube showing both the pilot and controller side -here’s an overview (not real time) of the pilot and controller side.

Here’s a flight into LAX with actual VATSIM ATC on the audio.

This one shows more of the controller side (video not real time).

Here’s a video tutorial on how to connect as a pilot to fly iin VATSIM.

Log in to VATSIM as an observer (you have to at least signup with VATSIM.net first).

More Info & Getting Started

Whether you want to fly or control: you must register with VATSIM.net to get a login.  There is also a lot of info on their website.

If you just want to fly

• You’ll need a fight simulator, typically Microsoft Flight SImulator but there are some others that work
• You need plugins for MSFS or whatever simulator you choose to connect to the VATSIM network.
• You are expected to have basic ATC and flying skills – you don’t have to be a pro, and certainly don’t need a real world pilot’s license, but please don’t show up the first time you’ve tried to fly and have no idea of ATC protocols.  Practice your flying offline, and read a little about ATC.
  Here’s VATSIM’s quickstart but you should really study all the material in the Pilot Resource Center.

Pilots can optionally join a virtual airline.  These groups provide more structure (and rules), attempting to recreate the real world of flying for an airline.  But you can also decide to fly the Concorde, or a Cessna, or anything in between, on your own.

 If you want to be an Air Traffic Controller

Then be prepared for considerably more work, and training.  VATSIM strives for highly authentic ATC.  While pilots need no special test to fly, controllers are trained to the same rules that the real world uses.  Here’s an overview.

To become a VATSIM controller:

• Join a division of VATSIM, such as VATUSA.  Each division has it’s own rules – I’ll describe the VATUSA process.  Note: you don’t have to join the one you live in, but it might be convenient for timezone purposes.
• VATUSA will give you your first test, and then you can join a region.  Again you don’t need to join the one where you live.  Regions have different complexities, size of staff, etc.  In the US, the regions are aligned with the real world Air Route Traffic Control Centers.  The regions handle all the training – these are the people you will work with to become a certified controller.
• I joined Oakland ARTCC.  Mainly because I do live here and actually flew real world many years ago in this area.
• You need to train for each level of ATC service.  You start at ground / clearance delivery, and work your way up thru tower, approach, and center controllers.  Each stage will involve:
• Offline study
• Taking written tests
• A number of sessions with a mentor, where together you will control simulated or live traffic
• When you have shown you know the procedures, you are given the right to control solo (without a mentor) – the idea is to work slower times and gradually build up to busier times.  Some regions specifically set times of day for student control (Oakland does not).  Students are generally NOT allowed to control during events (which bring in lots of traffic).
• When you and your mentor think you are ready, you sign up for a live traffic test with an instructor.  There are specific rules about how many mistakes you can make.  These tests are often advertised to encourage many pilots to join in, creating a volume and variety of traffic to test you.
• When you pass, you have fully earned your rating, and can control large events and start working towards the next level.

How long it all takes depends mainly on your availability (and possibly, availability of mentors / instructors).

Here’s a link to the OAK ARTCC training syllabus to give you an idea of what you’d be in for.  There is additional training info on the VATUSA site.