Learn how to display other VATSIM pilots, set up model matching, find active ATC, and fix missing, generic or duplicate aircraft in your flight sim.
To see other pilots on VATSIM, connect your simulator through a supported pilot client, install a compatible model-matching library, and enable the client’s aircraft display. VATSIM shows only connected, human-flown aircraft within range; controllers are not visible aircraft, but appear in the client’s nearby ATC list and transmit on assigned frequencies.
What traffic does VATSIM display?
VATSIM injects aircraft flown by other connected members rather than real-world flights or simulator-generated AI traffic. Each aircraft’s position, callsign and type come through the network, while its visible model and livery come from files installed on your computer.
ATC positions work differently. A controller appears as a station and frequency in your pilot client, not as an object in the simulator. Our overview of VATSIM’s pilot client, shared traffic and voice system explains how these parts fit together.
- Other pilots: rendered as aircraft when they are connected, within range and matched to a usable local model.
- Controllers: listed by position and frequency in the client; they are heard through the radio system.
- Offline AI or live traffic: supplied by the simulator, not VATSIM, and liable to create duplicates if left enabled.
How do I make other VATSIM aircraft appear?
Other aircraft appear only when the pilot client can receive their positions and inject suitable models into the simulator.
- Install a compatible pilot client. It must support both your simulator and VATSIM. The client needs separate working connections to the simulator and the network.
- Install model-matching aircraft. Microsoft Flight Simulator uses locally installed aircraft models and matching rules, X-Plane uses CSL models, and FSX or Prepar3D generally uses AI aircraft models.
- Configure model matching. Point the client at the installed library or enable its matching rules as required. Restart or rescan after installing models if the client does not detect them immediately.
- Connect from a parking stand. Once the client reports that both connections are active, nearby pilots should begin appearing. Do not connect while positioned on a runway or inside another aircraft.
- Disable competing traffic sources. Turn off the simulator’s multiplayer, live traffic and AI traffic if they produce duplicate or unrelated aircraft. Let the VATSIM client handle online traffic.
What model-matching system does each simulator use?
The required visual library depends on the simulator rather than VATSIM itself.
| Simulator | Visual models | Common conflict |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Flight Simulator on PC | Installed aircraft models with client matching rules | Built-in multiplayer, live traffic or AI traffic creating duplicates |
| X-Plane | CSL aircraft and liveries | Confusing VATSIM traffic with X-Plane’s separate built-in multiplayer system |
| FSX and Prepar3D | AI aircraft models selected by the pilot client | Native AI traffic or an incomplete model set; see the FSX connection and model-matching procedure |
| Xbox or PlayStation editions | No direct VATSIM model injection | Mainstream console editions cannot run the required VATSIM pilot client or simulator plug-in |
Why can’t I see other pilots on VATSIM?
Missing aircraft usually means there is no nearby network traffic, the simulator connection has failed, or model matching cannot find a usable aircraft.
- Check both connection states. Being logged into VATSIM does not always prove that the client is connected to the running simulator.
- Check the client’s nearby-aircraft list. If it is empty, no pilots may be within the client’s reception or display range.
- Read the model-matching messages. Repeated messages about missing or failed models point to an unrecognised library, bad installation or absent fallback model.
- Raise sensible display limits. A low aircraft-count or drawing-distance limit can hide traffic at a busy airport. Extremely high settings can hurt performance, so increase them gradually.
- Restart after installing models. Some simulators and clients scan available aircraft only during startup.
- Do not rely solely on TCAS. An aircraft may be visible outside the TCAS display range, while avionics target limits can show fewer aircraft than the external view.
A mistake we see constantly is leaving the simulator’s own multiplayer traffic enabled and assuming every visible aircraft came from VATSIM. Duplicate callsigns, overlapping models or aircraft that ignore the controller are strong signs that two traffic systems are running together.
Why do VATSIM aircraft have generic models or wrong liveries?
Generic aircraft mean model matching received the traffic but could not find an exact local model for its aircraft type and airline.
The client then chooses the closest fallback available. Expanding the model library and checking its matching rules improves the result, but another pilot’s incorrect ICAO aircraft code or callsign can still produce the wrong type or livery. A visual mismatch does not normally stop position updates, radio communication or ATC service.
How do I see and hear active VATSIM ATC?
Active controllers appear in the pilot client’s nearby ATC list with their position and frequency. Select the controller covering your location, tune that frequency into the active COM radio, and make sure the correct radio is selected for reception and transmission.
If a controller is listed but cannot be heard, check the client’s voice output device, radio volume and active-versus-standby frequency. Silence may also mean nobody is transmitting. For input selection, push-to-talk and level checks, follow our VATSIM microphone and voice setup guidance.
If no relevant controller appears, that area is uncontrolled on VATSIM. Use the applicable advisory procedure shown by the client or network information rather than contacting a distant controller who does not cover your airspace.
Why can I hear ATC but not see the aircraft being discussed?
A controller’s sector and radio coverage can extend far beyond your client’s aircraft-rendering range. The pilot may be dozens or hundreds of miles away, beyond your drawing limit, hidden by the maximum-aircraft setting, or affected by a missing model.
You also will not necessarily hear every pilot who answers the controller. Radio range, frequency configuration and the network’s voice simulation affect what reaches your receiver. Hearing ATC discuss an aircraft therefore does not guarantee that the aircraft should be visible from your position.