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This glossary is written for virtual airline and flight simulation use within Virtual Air Canada Airline. It is not intended as a real-world aviation reference.
A SID is a published, named departure procedure that provides a standardised routing from an airport’s runway to the en-route structure. SIDs are designed by aviation authorities and include specific headings, turn points, altitude restrictions, and speed constraints that ensure obstacle clearance and traffic separation during the initial climb phase. By assigning departing aircraft to a SID, ATC can manage traffic flow efficiently without issuing individual route instructions for every flight. SIDs are depicted on instrument procedure charts and encoded in navigation databases. Each SID has a specific name - typically derived from a waypoint or fix it routes to - and may include multiple transitions connecting the procedure to different airways. Altitude constraints on a SID must be complied with unless ATC issues a specific clearance to deviate, and speed restrictions (commonly 250 knots below 10,000 feet) are typically embedded in the procedure. Not all airports have SIDs; at smaller aerodromes, departure instructions may be issued verbally by ATC instead.

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In Virtual Airline Operations

When filing a flight plan in SimBrief for a VACA route, the system will normally assign an appropriate SID for the departure airport. Virtual pilots should load the assigned SID into the FMS before departure and confirm the initial cleared altitude with their virtual ATC clearance. Following the SID correctly - including altitude and speed restrictions - is part of realistic cockpit procedure and contributes to a professional flight experience on VACA operations.
  • STAR - Standard Terminal Arrival Route
  • VNAV - Vertical Navigation
  • ATC - Air Traffic Control