VATSIM

VATSIM, or Virtual Air Traffic Simulation Network, is a non-profit organization operating a dedicated, worldwide, Internet-based flight-simulation network.¹

Overview

VATSIM is one of the two main providers² of flight-simulation networks that allows users to either fly online as a pilot, or direct traffic as an air traffic controller (ATC).³ Communications between pilots and controllers are carried out using integrated voice-over-IP or in-game text messages. Users require custom software to use the network. It has been suggested that through VATSIM, ordinary people have come together as a network of pilots interacting with air traffic controllers to produce a vast, organic simulation of actual air traffic.⁴

The goal is to keep the simulation as close as possible to real-life aviation procedures, including realistic procedural standards and radio phraseology. This has made VATSIM a training aid to student pilots who lack experience at communication with air traffic control, as well as private and commercial pilots looking to enhance their skills, especially in radio communications.⁵ In achieving this the network has been highlighted as bringing more immersion to what was once a solitary exercise, events in the game are no longer just programmed into the software but are introduced by the combination of human effort and error.⁶

History

In the mid 1990s, the evolution of the Internet and modern flight simulators allowed users to fly together using multiplayer functions of the simulators. In 1997, the first version of SquawkBox was created as an add-on for Microsoft's 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, was created in the same year, and SATCO was formed around the gathering community of aviation enthusiasts. In December 1998, the International Virtual Aviation Organization (IVAO) split away from SATCO due to disagreements in the group. VATSIM was officially formed in July 2001, effectively replacing SATCO.⁷ In 2006 VATSIM was featured in an article on the front page of the Wall Street Journal.⁸

Structure

The structure of VATSIM is organized in a similar fashion to its real world counterparts. VATSIM is divided into seven regions (Africa/Middle East, Asia, Central America/Mexico/Caribbean, Europe, North America, Oceania and South America), which are further subdivided into country-specific divisions. The divisions themselves are divided into Flight Information Regions (FIRs), Virtual Area Control Centers (vACCs) and Air Route Traffic Control Centers (ARTCCs).⁹

Software

VATSIM is supported by what has been described as a remarkably complex and robust software to allow the operation of the network.¹⁰ This software has allowed the online flying experience to become increasingly realistic with software that closely resembles the screens used in the real world for managing aircraft.¹¹ Users need custom plugins (such as SquawkBox or FSInn) for flight simulators (such as Microsoft Flight Simulator or X-Plane) to connect as pilots, or radar simulation applications (ASRC, VRC or Euroscope) to connect as air traffic controllers. VATSIM-specific applications are available for free and provided by the network itself.

Network service is provided by proprietary servers located throughout the world. All servers are interconnected so that users can see each other on the network, no matter which particular server they connect to.

There are also additional 3rd party tools available that are not essential for the usage of the network, but can provide useful information.

Membership and training

Users must join the organization as members before they can connect to the network, but membership is free. Members must be at least 13 years old. There are no usage fees for connection to the VATSIM network. It is common for younger members interested in getting into real world flying to use the network to develop their skills, particularly the often daunting task of communicating with other pilots and Air Traffic Control. The network provides the opportunity for those new to aviation to develop their skills through a series of training programmes modeled on what is required in the real world.¹²

The VATSIM network does not require virtual pilots to take any training before flying, however virtual air traffic controllers are required to undertake mandatory training before opening a controlling position.¹³

The network claimed to have had just under 130,000 registered members, with more than 10,000 of these classed as currently active, in December 2006.¹⁴ In 2005, El Al, the Israeli airline, required more than 700 of its new pilots to go through a personal computer simulation that was hosted by the members of VATSIM to provide realistic training for their pilots.¹⁵¹⁶

Events

The VATSIM network is open 24 hours a day and network downtime is extremely rare; pilots and controllers are free to connect and fly or control anywhere in the world at any time (subject to qualification restrictions in the case of controllers). However, the network and different ATC centers sponsor regular events to encourage pilots and ATC to congregate at various locations in the world, usually several times a week. At the most popular of these events, traffic levels may be comparable to those of the same locations in real life.^{citation needed}

VATSIM and MITRE

On January 5, 2008, after a long period of planning and negotiation, VATSIM held a major simulation event as part of a cooperative effort with the Center for Advanced Aviation System Development (CAASD) of The MITRE Corporation to assess the viability of VATSIM as a platform for certain categories of real-world air traffic simulation. Some 500 VATSIM pilots and dozens of VATSIM air traffic controllers participated in the event. Pilots flew routes preplanned by MITRE to simulate real-world traffic levels at Chicago's O'Hare and Midway airports over a period of several hours, with landings and take-offs at each airport being spaced as closely as every two minutes. Some objectives of this first cooperative event included load testing of the VATSIM network infrastructure and assessment of pilot and ATC skills within the membership.¹⁷ Another event held later in 2008 tested the realism of simulated flight management systems during Continuous Descent Approaches. Detailed analyses of these events were still in progress in late 2008.

Administration

VATSIM is governed by a self-appointing board of governors and an executive committee. The current (2008) president of VATSIM is Richard Jenkins. Administration and day-to-day operations are supported by volunteers, donations, and sponsorship. Use of the network is free, and no indication has been given that the organization intends to charge for providing the service in the future.

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