Code of Conduct

VATSIM is an online community created for enthusiasts of flight simulation and air traffic control.  One of the main goals of VATSIM is to create an environment which is fun and, at the same time, educational and a realistic simulation of procedures followed by pilots and air traffic controllers everyday around the world.  To further these goals, both pilots and controllers logging on to VATSIM must comply with the following Code of Conduct.  This Code sets forth how the pilot flying online as well as the person providing air traffic control services are expected to conduct themselves.

A.     GENERAL RULES OF CONDUCT

1.  Pilots and Controllers should, at all times, be courteous and respectful to one another.

2.  To use VATSIM, pilots must have downloaded and installed the Squawkbox© software and controllers must have downloaded and installed the ProController© software.  Each of these programs comes with operating instructions.  In addition, there are many tutorials which have been developed which instruct in the use of these programs.  Prior to logging on to VATSIM, pilots and controllers should be familiar in the basic use of these programs.  Since flying and providing ATC are extremely time sensitive activities, pilots and controllers cannot educate themselves in the basics of Squawkbox© and ProController© by trying to learn in real time.  This should be done as an Observer or prior to logging onto VATSIM.

3.  Since this is a learning environment, there are times when a pilot may encounter a new air traffic controller who is in the process of learning his airspace and/or general air traffic control procedures.  The same may be true of the controller who may find himself issuing ATC to a pilot flying online for the first time.  Everyone should remember to exercise patience and courtesy to these new pilots and controllers.

4.  Pilots and Controllers are prohibited from publishing, posting, distributing or disseminating any kind of defamatory, infringing, obscene, vulgar, profane or other type of unlawful material or information through the use of online chat boxes, ATC text channels or voice ATC channels.  Individuals violating this rule are subject to removal from VATSIM and revocation of their certificate number.

5.  Pilots and Controllers are prohibited from using VATSIM services to threaten, harass, abuse, intimidate or stalk others or to otherwise violate the legal rights of others, including expectations to the rights of privacy and publicity.  Individuals violating this rule are subject to removal from VATSIM and revocation of their certificate number.

6.  Should problems arise online between several individuals, the parties should first attempt to resolve any issues among themselves.  If this should fail, then the parties should locate and request the services of an online supervisor to resolve the dispute.

B.     PILOT’S CONDUCT

1. Prior to logging on to VATSIM, a pilot on the ground should position his or her aircraft so that it is not located on a runway or a taxiway.  This will prevent interference with operations that may be occurring at an airport when the actual log-on occurs.

2. Prior to logging on to VATSIM, a pilot in the air should have his aircraft in flight and not paused unless the pilot has first obtained permission from the responsible air traffic controller to log on while paused.  This will prevent interference with operations that may be occurring in the air when actual log on occurs.

3. A pilot must at all times check for appropriate air traffic control coverage for the airspace he is crossing at any given time.  If there is an appropriate air traffic controller available or upon request to make contact with an appropriate air traffic controller, then the pilot should immediately contact such controller.

4. Except while on the ground prior to making initial contact with ATC or upon request of ATC, a pilot should not squawk standby.  A pilot should not squawk standby while flying to his destination, even when there is no appropriate Enroute air traffic control available.

5. Not all air traffic controllers are permitted or capable of using voice to provide services.  Such controllers are limited to using text.  When using VATSIM, a pilot must accept air traffic control services which are made in text instead of voice.

6. Pilots should not carry on private conversations between themselves or controllers on the active communication frequency or on the “guard” frequency (121.50).  This interferes with providing ATC services to other pilots.  The guard frequency should only be utilized in cases of emergency and under no other circumstances.

7. Pilot’s flying through uncontrolled airspace should set their VHF radio frequency to 122.80 or other designated “Unicom” frequency and monitor until they come under air traffic control coverage.

8. Pilots are permitted to declare in-flight emergencies.  If, for any reason, air traffic control requests the pilot to terminate the emergency, then the pilot must do so or log off of VATSIM.

9. Two or more pilots are permitted to fly in formation.  If, for any reason, air traffic control instructs pilots to separate, the the pilot(s) must immediately comply with the request or log off of VATSIM.

10. A pilot, to the best of his or her ability, should make all attempts to comply with valid air traffic control instructions.

C.     CONTROLLER’S CONDUCT

1. Controllers who are new to the hobby or are otherwise unfamiliar with an airspace should educate themselves, whenever possible, by first observing operations and/or studying procedures used in the region.  Information is usually available at the appropriate regional web site and generally includes procedures, frequencies, appropriate positions and charts.

2. Controllers who choose to work in regions other than the one they requested assignment to must follow the rules and procedures in effect for such regions.

3. When logging onto VATSIM as an observer, an individual should have a callsign which ends as follows: “_OBS”.  Prior to the underscore an individual may use any letters such as initials or airport identifiers.  By logging on as an observer, an individual must not communicate on any open text or voice frequency with pilots.  In other words, an observer is prohibited from providing air traffic control services.  They are restricted to observing operations.  An observer who provides air traffic control services is subject to removal from VATSIM and revocation of his or her certificate number.

4. In general VATSIM recognizes the following abbreviations for air traffic control positions.  These abbreviations are to be preceded by either the three or four letter identifier for the airspace:

a.      XXX_DEL – Clearance Delivery

b.      XXX_GND – Ground Control

c.      XXX_TWR – Tower Control

d.      XXX_DEP – Departure Control

e.      XXX_APP – Approach Control

f.      XXX_CTR – Enroute (Center) Control

These abbreviations may be modified, amended and otherwise added to by local Centers, Flight Information Regions or divisions to reflect common ATC practice and procedures utilized in those local areas.  Controllers should not utilize any abbreviations not generally accepted by VATSIM or not used at the local level.

5. Positions are occupied on a “first come” basis.  If the position a controller wants to work is already occupied, then another position should be found.  From time to time, a controller who has occupied a particular position may lose his or her connection to the VATSIM network or to the internet.  If another controller takes such a position and thereafter the original controller logs back on and advises that he or she had lost their connection, the second controller should relinquish the position to the original controller.

6. A local division and/or region may restrict certain positions in general or during specific times to those controllers who have achieved a particular rating.  Controllers should consult the local rules to see if they qualify to work a particular position prior to logging on at such a position.

7. Controllers should only use the frequencies which are authorized for use at their particular position by the particular division or region in which they are working.

8. Not all pilots are permitted or capable of using voice to communicate with ATC.  When using VATSIM, a controller must at all times be prepared to provide text-based air traffic control services to a pilot.  A controller must never restrict themselves to only working with voice capable pilots.

9. Controllers should not carry on private conversations between themselves, pilots or other individuals on the active communication frequency, the ATC channel on ProController© or on the “guard” frequency (121.50).  This interferes with providing ATC services to other pilots.  The guard frequency should only be utilized in cases of emergency and under no other circumstances.  Controllers are encouraged to use private chat boxes for carrying on private conversations.

Remember, the primary goals of VATSIM are to educate, to provide a realistic simulation of flying and air traffic control and, most importantly, to provide a fun environment for everyone to enjoy our hobby.  By following the simple rules set forth in this Code of Conduct, everyone is ensured of learning and making new friends from around the world.  

Enjoy!

VATSIM