VATSIM IFR Pilot Rating Scope
This rating is focused on VATSIM's predominate flying member, who is most likely to be flying a passenger or cargo airliner airframe in a domestic route using full cockpit automation and primary navigation by FMS, INS, GPS and precision instrument approaches.
VATSIM offers an advanced IFR rating for graduates of the VATSIM IFR Pilot rating contained here, or those who by real world experience and/or concentrated self study, that includes flying the aircraft solely by instruments and non precision approaches follows in Section 9 below (once section none is built)
Demonstrated tolerances for this rating:
Headings + 10 degrees
Altitudes + 100 feet
Airspeeds + 10 knots IAS
Tracking a CDI + 1/2 needle deflection
Introduction to Instrument Flight Rules Flying
What is IFR?
IFR and VATSIM ATC - Tips for Success
Interpreting This Requirement
The student shall be able to describe the key differences between IFR and VFR flight and ATC services on the VATSIM network and why the pilot might choose to fly IFR.
The material in this section should be at a high level and brief as the deeper knowledge is defined below. The key is understanding the main differences between IFR and VFR and what ATC services an IFR pilot can expect on VATSIM to paint the 'big picture of IFR' for the student.
Tips for Success should be focused on passing the experiences and lessons learned of the ATO's staff that any IFR pilot would like to know when flying VFR on VATSIM. The tips should be positive in presentation to the student.
Local IFR operations regulations and customs
Local regulations governing IFR flight
Non regulatory local customs for IFR flight
Interpreting This Requirement
The student shall be able to find any publically available local regulations and customs and apply them to VATSIM online flying decision making, and be able to find answers to questions online using VATSIM Supervisors and offline using means such as forums to find answers to questions about regulations and customs.
ATOs may choose to place the regulatory and customs content within the appropriate subject area in lieu of a stand alone section of regulations.
Weather and IFR
What weather conditions requires IFR flight in the ATO's Area Of Operations
What other options are available
Special VFR, VFR On Top, etc. requirements, if applicable within the ATO's Area of Operations
How to read a METAR and TAF, and other available aviation weather products in the ATO's Area Of Operations
Where to get weather relevant to the ATO's Area Of Operations
Weather Decision Making
Go or No Go
Alternate airport weather requirements
Weather differences when flying on VATSIM and how to resolve them
Interpreting This Requirement
The student shall demonstrate the ability to retrieve real time weather from local or international automated sources and translate METARs and TAFs into common local language.
The student shall be able to describe how to get VATSIM weather and why it may differ from real time sources, and how the IFR pilot should use VATSIM weather while connected to the network or coordinate weather differences with ATC.
The student shall demonstrate the ability to decide if the weather at the airports of departure and arrival and all airspace planned for enroute is and will remain VFR for the duration of the flight the aircraft will be in that area
The student shall be able to discuss making departure go/no go and enroute divert IFR decisions when faced with deteriorating weather below minimums
Charts for IFR flying
How to read appropriate IFR charts relevant to the ATO's Area Of Operations
Where to find charts in your division or ATO.
Interpreting This Requirement
Using IFR charts common to the geographic area, the student shall demonstrate the ability to interpret chart diagrams and features that affect IFR flight and ATC interactions.
The student shall be able to use the charts to plan and execute a IFR flight with online VATSIM ATC
VATSIM ATC Services
Basic transponder usage, squawking IFR codes and the IDENT feature.
Conducting IFR flights with or without basic radar service from ATC
Towered and non-towered IFR operations (what to say, when to say, and why)
Filing IFR flight plans and getting clearances from controlled and uncontrolled airports
Communications, Voice and Text - Controlled and Uncontrolled Airspace
In-flight Emergencies
Interpreting This Requirement
The student shall be able to describe the expected ATC service from airport and enroute situations for IFR flights
The student shall be able to obtain an IFR clearance for departure from controlled and uncontrolled airports or enroute ATC
The student shall be able to describe how to get approval for an appropriate declared emergency from VATSIM ATC and be able to demonstrate appropriate emergency procedures per local regulations and customs
Emergencies are never declared in uncontrolled airspace while connected to the VATSIM network per the VATSIM Code of Conduct
The student shall be able to execute an IFR flight between two airports at least 150 nm distance using online VATSIM IFR ATC services for a minimum of 30 minutes
IFR Flight Planning
IFR cruising altitudes and enroute clearances
Fuel requirements and Estimated Time Enroute (ETE) planning
Completes a documented IFR flight plan including, for each leg, calculated values for:
ETE
Fuel Burn
Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA)
Heading
Track/Course
COMM and NAV frequencies and bearings
Able to plot an IFR flight on an appropriate IFR chart with legs that correspond to the flight planning document above
Able to file an appropriate VATSIM IFR flight plan
Where to get accurate routes and how to read them
How to program an FMS, INS, RNAV or GPS with the filed route
Including diversion planning when appropriate
Departure, enroute, and arrival ATC planning
Interpreting This Requirement
The student should be able to properly fill out and file a
VATSIM flight plan for the geographic location relative to IFR flight to include subject matter listed above.
The student should be able to complete a multi-leg IFR flight log document with a corresponding IFR map detailing the pilot's plan of execution for the IFR flight on the VATSIM network
Local to the Airport Procedures
Ground procedures
Controlled and Uncontrolled Airports
Ramps, Aprons, Taxiways
Taxi to and from ramp
Crossing Runways
Taxiway and runway signage and markings
Taxi and Take off Procedures
Controlled and Uncontrolled Airports
Entering and Leaving Runways
Departing and Arriving at controlled and uncontrolled airports
Departure and Arrival Procedures
Merging IFR and VFR traffic at controlled and uncontrolled airports
What IFR pilots expect of VFR pilots
What VFR pilots expect of IFR pilots
What ATC expect of IFR pilots
What IFR pilots can expect of ATC
What IFR pilots can expect from other IFR and VFR pilots
Helicopter departure and arrivals around airports
How to avoid and resolve conflicts
Communications, Voice and Text
Controlled and Non Controlled Airspace
UNICOM Best Practices
Airport Facilities
Weather Services and Information
Starting and Ending the IFR Flight
Where should I connect to begin my IFR flight?
Who should I be contacting?
Where do I taxi for parking at the arrival airport?
Opening and closing IFR flight plans
IFR Landing and Take Offs
Instrument Landing Systems (ILS)
Arrival and Departure procedures
ATC communications
UNICOM for IFR flights
Interpreting This Requirement
The student shall be able to describe the airport ground environment, signage, charts, and aircraft movement requirements and procedures on ramps, aprons, taxiways, and runways as they pertain to the local ATO Area of Operations and IFR operations.
The student shall demonstrate proper positioning of their aircraft prior to connecting to minimize start up disruptions and maximize their IFR experience.
The student shall demonstrate a published departure procedure and arrival procedure using FMS/INS/RNAV/GPS linked autopilot guidance
Airspace and Airports
Class A/B/C/D/E/F/G
How to determine the airspace
Airspace speed limit
Airspace altitude and distance limits
Transition altitudes
VFR flights in the area
Interpreting This Requirement
The student shall always know the airspace they are currently in and what limits exist within that airspace.
The student shall be able to follow VATSIM ATC instructions or successfully coordinate with other pilots in the absence of VATSIM ATC.
Enroute procedures and ATC interactions
ATC enroute services appropriate for IFR Flight in the ATO's area of operation
Network connections enroute
Procedure to connect from an IFR enroute position
Interpreting This Requirement
The student shall demonstrate the use of online flight ATC services and communications during the enroute portion of IFR flight.
Navigation
Navigation for this rating is focused on automated navigation tools linked to autopilot guidance systems including ILS with and without Glide Slope.
FMS
INS
GPS
RNAV
ILS
Other Navigation methods ATO optional
Interpreting This Requirement
The student shall demonstrate through IFR flight online on the VATSIM network the ability to properly track the filed route including departure procedures, enroute, arrival, and ILS systems with Glide Slope and without Glide Slope
These skills shall be demonstrated while flying on the VATSIM network:
No less than 1 ATO-supervised and graded IFR flight over a minimum of 150 NM total distance and two IFR airport landings, and
Two different of either RNAV, GPS, or ILS landings at two different airports
A full stop landing and take off from at least one ATC Approach and Tower controlled airport with VATSIM ATC online
A full stop landing and take off from at least one non-controlled airport with VATSIM ATC online for the controlled portion of the flight.
Demonstrate pilot to ATC communications for all portions of this IFR flight
Demonstrate IFR navigation skills
Following programmed departure, enroute, arrival, and landing procedures
Handling diversions as requested by ATC
Each flight shall require ATO approval for the following before the required flight is started by the student:
Aircraft selection for flight
Preflight planning and preparation
IFR Flight Plan Filing
IFR Flight Log
IFR Charts for the flight
The ATO shall use this flight to highlight some of the things interesting about IFR flying with VATSIM ATC in the local airspace.
All procedures and materials should be ATO locality-appropriate and customary to the greatest extent possible and in alignment with VATSIM IFR ATC services provided