Complete a full VATSIM flight in MSFS 2024: plan, connect, obtain clearance, handle ATC hand-offs, fly the arrival and finish correctly.
To complete a full VATSIM flight in MSFS 2024, prepare and file a matching route, connect from a parking stand, obtain clearance, follow taxi and departure instructions, accept controller hand-offs, fly the cleared arrival and approach, then vacate the runway, taxi to parking and disconnect.
VATSIM requires the PC version of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 because its pilot client runs alongside the simulator. Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 cannot connect directly. Complete the PC, pilot-client and audio setup before attempting the flight itself.
Before connecting, make the three flight plans agree
The route in the MSFS EFB, the route programmed into the aircraft and the flight plan filed with VATSIM are separate records.
| Route location | What it controls | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| MSFS 2024 EFB | Planning, fuel calculations and route transfer | Assuming an EFB route has been filed with VATSIM |
| Aircraft FMS or GPS | The route and procedures the aircraft will actually follow | Failing to check discontinuities, constraints or the active runway |
| VATSIM flight plan | The callsign, route, level and aircraft details visible to controllers | Using a different callsign or route from the aircraft |
Build a route the aircraft can fly, then compare every waypoint after transferring it. Our explanation of planning and transferring an MSFS 2024 route covers the EFB side; filing it with VATSIM remains a separate action.
How do you fly the complete VATSIM sequence?
A successful VATSIM flight follows the same basic sequence as a real controlled flight, but only when a controller is online for that position.
- Choose a manageable flight. Use an aircraft you can start, taxi, navigate, descend and land without step-by-step help. Check the weather, expected runways, departure, arrival, approach and missed-approach procedure before connecting.
- Configure MSFS 2024 for network flying. Disable the simulator’s built-in ATC, AI traffic and multiplayer aircraft so they do not conflict with VATSIM controllers or duplicate network traffic. Use our recommended VATSIM settings for MSFS 2024 to deal with traffic, labels, weather and assistance options.
- Load at a parking stand. Start stationary with the parking brake set, preferably with engines off. Never connect while occupying a runway or another aircraft’s stand. Enter exactly the same callsign in the pilot client and filed flight plan.
- Programme and file the route. Match the aircraft type, equipment, requested cruising level and route. Resolve FMS discontinuities and missing waypoints before calling ATC. If your navigation data cannot support a cleared procedure, tell the controller rather than improvising.
- Connect and test the radios. Confirm the correct microphone, headphones or speakers, push-to-talk button and active COM radio. Listen before transmitting. Set the transponder according to local procedures and controller instructions.
- Obtain the ATIS and clearance. Note the information letter, runway, weather and altimeter setting. Request clearance from the appropriate delivery or ground controller, copy the route or departure, initial altitude, transponder code and departure frequency, then read back the safety-critical parts. A filed flight plan is not an ATC clearance.
- Request pushback and taxi. Do not move until authorised where ground control is active. Read back runway assignments, hold-short instructions and route restrictions. A taxi clearance never permits entry onto a runway unless the controller explicitly includes that crossing.
- Depart only after a take-off clearance. Line-up clearance and take-off clearance are different instructions. Fly the assigned heading, altitude and speed even if they differ from the route programmed in the FMS.
- Handle controller hand-offs correctly. When told to contact another controller, change frequency and check in with your callsign, present altitude and cleared altitude. If told to monitor a frequency, switch and listen rather than immediately making a full call.
- Remain available during cruise. Monitor the radio, comply promptly with route or level changes and keep enough time to programme amendments safely. Avoid active pause, slewing or leaving the aircraft unattended while connected; disconnect if a simulator problem prevents you from continuing normally.
- Prepare the arrival early. Obtain the destination ATIS, calculate the descent and brief the expected arrival, approach and missed approach. ATC may issue vectors or a different procedure. Being cleared for an approach does not authorise landing.
- Land, vacate and park. Wait for an explicit landing clearance when tower is active. Vacate the runway completely, contact ground when instructed and obtain taxi clearance to parking. Stop at the stand, set the parking brake and disconnect the pilot client; do not disconnect while still on the runway.
What should you say to VATSIM ATC?
VATSIM calls should be brief and contain the information the controller needs for that phase of flight.
- Clearance:
[Delivery], [callsign], stand [number], information [letter], IFR to [destination], ready for clearance - Taxi:
[Ground], [callsign], stand [number], ready for push and start - Departure hand-off:
[Departure], [callsign], passing 2,300 feet climbing 6,000 feet - Arrival hand-off:
[Approach], [callsign], descending flight level 100, information Bravo
Exact phraseology varies by country and controller. Listen to other traffic, write down long instructions and ask for a repeat if anything is unclear. Never read back an instruction you have not understood.
What if no VATSIM controller is online?
You may continue the flight without ATC, but you become responsible for separation, runway awareness and useful position reports.
Use the advisory frequency specified by local network procedures; this is commonly 122.800, although some locations use a published traffic frequency. Announce only useful movements such as taxi, departure, arrival and runway intentions. Do not issue yourself a clearance or imitate a controller.
If a controller comes online, monitor for a contact request and call the appropriate position. A controller may amend your route, level or approach after establishing contact.
Why does a full VATSIM flight go wrong?
Most failed flights result from mismatched planning, radio configuration or workload rather than aircraft handling.
- The controller cannot find the flight plan: confirm that it was filed under the exact callsign used to connect.
- ATC and the FMS show different routes: compare the filed route with the aircraft waypoint by waypoint, then enter any clearance amendment.
- Nobody hears the transmission: check the active COM frequency, audio-panel selection, microphone device and push-to-talk assignment.
- Two controllers speak at once: turn off MSFS built-in ATC and use only the VATSIM controller.
- Traffic appears twice: disable MSFS multiplayer and AI traffic, leaving network aircraft to the pilot client’s model matching.
- The aircraft is too high for the approach: calculate descent before ATC issues it and request an earlier descent if required.
- The pilot becomes overloaded: say
unable, request delaying vectors or disconnect if the flight is no longer safe to manage.
If clearances, readbacks and hand-offs are still unfamiliar, complete some VATSIM flight and radio preparation before attempting a busy controlled route.