The Flying Programme is an extension of the P0 Initial Pilot rating aimed at assisting pilots starting on the network, pilots who are not confident on the network, or any pilots who feel they may benefit from 1-on-1 sessions to improve their VATSIM and flying skills. The programme offers support for both VFR and IFR pilots, helping those flying visually in aircraft such as the C152, C172, and PA28, or operating IFR aircraft like the Boeing 737NG series or Airbus A320 family, get started on the network. It aims to develop fully competent VATSIM pilots, whether flying local circuits or international routes, with training for procedures such as holds, visual circuits, and the wide range of IFR approaches found across the world.
The programme consists of 3 different areas for members to engage with a mandatory Moodle course, one-on-one sessions, and group sessions.
The Flying Programme's Moodle is designed to expand upon and reinforce the principal topics found in the P0 Online Pilot, with emphasis on UK-specifics. As such, completion of the Moodle and the open-book assessment is mandatory for one-on-one and group flight sessions, which allows mentors to focus on applying these concepts.
The IFR Moodle course contains the following topics:
The VFR Moodle course contains the following topics:
The Moodle assessment is open book, with a time limit of 1 hour and a pass grade of 75%. The exam may be retaken after a cooldown period, allowing you to revise the necessary areas.
One-on-one sessions can be requested via CTS once a member has been granted permissions by the Initial Flight Instructor. Once a session is booked, the mentor will communicate with the student in Discord to select a route and coordinate any further details for the session.
A student can request an IFR route of their choice, or recommended by the mentor. These routes should have a short duration (around 1 hour) and relatively simple procedures.
Group flights will be held periodically subject to demand and announced in the VATSIM UK Discord. Members wishing to attend the group flight must enrol via CTS to be allocated a slot. Members who have not enrolled via CTS are still welcome to attend the group flight and be in the Discord channel.
Group flights will take place in the "tfp-group-flight" Discord channel with at least one mentor present. The mentor is there to help everyone attending but will give priority to helping members who booked via CTS.
Members who have completed The Flying Programme will be announced weekly in the VATSIM UK Discord. To quality, members will have to attend:
Members who signed up for The Flying Programme will have their CTS permissions revoked after the following time has elapsed:
Do you think you would enjoy and/or benefit from The Flying Programme?
The mandatory Moodle course is available for any member of VATSIM to join: https://moodle.vatsim.uk/course/view.php?id=63
Upon completion of the Moodle exam, please submit a ticket to Pilot Training department on the helpdesk stating your completion of the Moodle to move onto the next step.
Non UK home members must submit a visitor application via the Visiting Dashboard before commencing training.
Any feedback on the course can be sent via the Helpdesk (Help Topic: Pilot Training).
One of the most important aspects of The Flying Programme is the involvement of ALL VATSIM UK members. As such, these are the requirements to become a mentor:
Above these requirements, a mentor is required be engaging and make sessions exciting for new members. You are now the face of the VATSIM network for a new member!
Want to sign up? Send us a ticket via the Helpdesk (Help Topic: Pilot Training) and the Initial Flight Instructor will coordinate with you to arrange an Over-The-Shoulder (OTS session).