Connection Rules
This Section blah blah blah
How to connnect to VATSIM?
To connect to VATSIM you must have a legal copy of a supported simulator and an approved pilot client. You must load in a plane that you can operate competently, load and configure your client and connect to the network.
Pilot clients
Depending on your simulator you will need a different pilot client, below are the downloads for each pilot client and their documentation;
Vpilot – FSX, P3D, and MSFS
Xpilot – Xplane
Swift – Xplane, FSX, P3D, and FlightGear
How do you find ATC?
There are many applications and websites that you can use to find online Air Traffic controllers, options include SimAware, Vattastic, and VAT-Spy among others. You can also see active positions in you pilot client.
Which controller should I contact?
VATSIM uses a ‘top down’ model for ATC positions, this means that, for example, if you are at Yanbu and ground and tower are offline but Jeddah Control is online you should contact Jeddah for taxi, takeoff and landing.
Where can you connect?
You may connect to VATSIM at any airport at any time, but it is strongly recommended that those who are new to VATSIM should not connect at large airports or during large events. However, one of the most important rules of connecting to VATSIM is that you MUST NOT CONNECT ON A TAXIWAY OR RUNWAY. You may also connect while airborne but must do so in a way that will not affect other users (for example don’t connect on final for a busy airport).
Can you pause the simulator?
You may not pause the simulator while connected to VATSIM unless you are operating under an air traffic controller with their expressed permission.
Do you have to always attend your connection?
If you must leave your connection, you are highly encouraged to disconnect while you are away, but you may leave your connection for up to 30 minutes. If you intend to leave your connection while in communication with a controller, you should inform them of your intention, how long you expect to take and report when you are back. Here is an example;
Pilot: ‘Jeddah Control, HZPTD, request break for 5 minutes’
ATC: ‘HZPTD, Jeddah Control, approved, report back’
Pilot: ‘Report back, HZPTD’
Pilot: ‘HZPTD, Back’
:::caution[[] Make Sure to Return within the approved timing. Controllers have the right to call a Supervisor on you if you dont come back. ]
What if there’s no ATC online?
When there is no ATC online you should always transmit your intentions on the frequency 122.800.
Do you have to use live weather?
We highly recommend that all pilots use real world weather for the most realistic experience, but VATSIM requires only that you use realistic winds, pressures, and tempurature