Callsign Format
Your callsign on VATSIM follows the ICAO airline format: ICAO airline code + flight number (e.g., ACA456 for Air Canada flight 456) The ICAO code identifies the airline and the flight number identifies your specific flight. Controllers will address you using the airline telephony designator - for example, “Air Canada 456” for callsign ACA456. For general aviation flights, use a registration-style callsign such as C-GABC.Filing Methods
- SimBrief (Recommended)
- VATSIM Prefile
- In-Client Filing
SimBrief is the easiest and most complete way to file a flight plan on VATSIM. It calculates your fuel, generates a full route, accounts for weather, and can prefile directly to the network.SimBrief handles all the technical details - equipment codes, performance data, fuel calculations, and route optimization. For most pilots, this is the only flight planning tool you will ever need.
Go to SimBrief
Visit simbrief.com and log in to your account. If you do not have one, registration is free.
Enter your flight details
Fill in your departure airport, arrival airport, alternate airport, and aircraft type. SimBrief will suggest routes based on real-world flight data.
Generate the OFP
Click Generate Flight to create your Operational Flight Plan (OFP). SimBrief calculates fuel requirements, optimal altitude, estimated flight time, and a detailed route with waypoints and airways.
Flight Plan Fields
| Field | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Callsign | ICAO airline code + flight number, or GA registration | ACA456 |
| Aircraft Type | ICAO type designator for your aircraft | A320 |
| Equipment Suffix | Navigation and communication capability code | /L |
| Departure | ICAO code of your departure airport | CYYZ |
| Arrival | ICAO code of your destination airport | CYUL |
| Alternate | ICAO code of your backup airport in case of diversion | CYOW |
| Cruise Altitude | Your planned cruising altitude as a flight level or altitude | FL350 |
| True Airspeed | Planned cruise speed in knots | 460 |
| Route | Waypoints and airways from departure to arrival | DEDKI3 AVSEP DCT YOW |
| Remarks | Additional information for ATC and the network | RMK/TCAS SIMBRIEF |
Equipment Suffix Codes
The equipment suffix tells ATC what navigation equipment your aircraft has. This affects the types of approaches and routes ATC can assign to you.| Suffix | Equipment | Typical Aircraft |
|---|---|---|
| /L | ILS, VOR, GPS (RNAV) | Most modern airliners (A320, 737, etc.) |
| /G | GPS only (RNAV) | GPS-equipped GA and regional aircraft |
| /R | RNAV with RNP capability | Advanced airliners with RNP approach capability |
| /W | RVSM-capable with RNAV | Aircraft approved for Reduced Vertical Separation above FL290 |
| /A | DME, VOR only | Older aircraft without GPS |
| /T | DME, VOR, ILS | Older aircraft with ILS but no GPS |
Remarks Field Best Practices
The remarks field is where you add supplementary information that does not fit into the standard fields. Here are the most common entries:| Remark | Purpose |
|---|---|
| RMK/NEW TO VATSIM | Tells controllers you are a new pilot. They will be extra patient and provide additional guidance. |
| RMK/TCAS | Indicates your aircraft has a Traffic Collision Avoidance System. Standard for airliners. |
| V/ | Voice capable - you can communicate by voice (this is the default assumption). |
| T/ | Text only - you cannot use voice and will communicate via text messages. |
| R/ | Receive only - you can hear voice transmissions but will respond via text. |
| RMK/SIMBRIEF | Indicates the flight plan was generated by SimBrief. Informational only. |
RMK/TCAS SIMBRIEF NEW TO VATSIM
Your flight plan becomes active on the network when you connect with a matching callsign. If you change your callsign after filing, you will need to refile your flight plan with the new callsign. The system matches flight plans to connections by callsign.