VATSIM - VFR Procedures

VFR Procedures and Protocol

Flying VFR on VATSIM is much the same as real world. However, always file a flight plan marking it VFR so that ATC knows that you know what you're doing and not just out there ignoring flight rules. A route of flight is not required and cruise altitude should reflect a VFR altitude. Make sure you squawk 1200.

Generally, contact with ATC under VFR is not required except for:

	Departing a controlled airport - Includes any normally towered airport (underlies Class B, C or D airspace). It is not necessary to request a flight plan clearance, but taxi and departure clearance is required before the aircraft moves on the ground and takes off.
		For taxi: "Good afternoon [ATC position], ALT000, departing VFR to the [direction], request taxi" Required only if tower is staffed. Sometimes approach and center positions will provide tower services, particularly for primary airports underlying class B or class C. If you contact them, they might respond with a "released for departure, contact me airborne" in which case you may taxi onto the runway and depart, contacting ATC in the climb. For takeoff: "Good afternoon [ATC position], ALT000 holding short runway xx at [airport], departing VFR to the [direction], request takeoff clearance" Again, required only if tower is staffed or approach/center wants to provide ground/tower services.
	Entering Class B or Class C airspace for transit - For transition through a controlled terminal airspace, you must make contact (class C) or obtain clearance (class B) prior to entering the airspace.
		Transiting class B: "Good afternoon [approach or center], ALT000 is x,xxx feet, xx miles [direction] of [primary airport], request clearance to enter (or transit) the class B" You'll usually get a squawk code, then be cleared through the airspace. Departing class B, you'll be advised to squawk VFR and "frequency change approved." Transiting class C: "Good afternoon [approach or center], ALT000 is x,xxx feet, xx miles [direction] of [primary airport]." Once he responds with your callsign ("ALT000, roger") you may proceed through the class C airspace.
	Entering Class B, Class C or Class D airspace for landing - When landing at a controlled airport underlying terminal airspace, you must make contact (class C and class D) or obtain clearance (class B) prior to entering the airspace. Expect to fly a normal traffic pattern as specified for the runway of intended landing, unless ATC directs otherwise.
		Landing airfield under class B: "Good afternoon [approach or center], ALT000 is x,xxx feet, xx miles [direction] of [primary airport], request clearance to enter (or transit) the class B for landing [airport]." You'll usually get a squawk code, then landing instructions ("descend and maintain x,xxx" "enter left downwind for runway xx" etc.). Follow all heading and altitude instructions. Landing airfield under class C: "Good afternoon [approach or center], ALT000 is x,xxx feet, xx miles [direction] of [primary airport], landing [airport]." Similar to class B, you'll receive instructions for landing. Landing class D: "Good afternoon [approach or center], ALT000 is x,xxx feet, xx miles [direction] of [airport] for landing." Similar to class C, you'll receive instructions for landing. Note that there may be a class D airport underlying class C or class B airspace. KLGB is such an airport. If you are landing KLGB and flying at an altitude and course that will take you into the LAX class B, you would contact approach or center for that clearance rather than KLGB tower. They'll hand you off to tower at the appropriate time. On the other hand, if you are flying below the class B floor, you need only contact KLGB tower prior to entering the class D airspace.

At other times while enroute, at your discretion you may contact approach or center and request "flight following." Workload permitting, ATC will then provide radar services advising you of traffic in your vicinity. While this is optional, remember that controllers are doing this for the purpose of interacting with others online, just as your are. Give them the opportunity to work traffic, including your VFR flight. ATC will issue a discrete squawk code when providing this service.

Whenever you are under ATC control, even for flight following, you must notify ATC when changing altitude. Inside class B airspace, you must request an altitude change.