Virtual Air Traffic Simulation Network
VATSIM ( Virtual Air Traffic SIMulation Network) is a non- profit organization for the implementation of online flight simulation. VATSIM is a world wide organization on a voluntary basis, which belong to more than 200,000 members. Their goal is to provide flight simulator enthusiasts from all over the world a realistic environment for your hobby. These sets VATSIM a global network of many servers on the Internet that are linked to each other and together form a worldwide virtual airspace. All offers, services and software from VATSIM will be charged.
The origins of VATSIM are in the year 1997, when the introduction of the SquawkBox an add-on program for Flight Simulator 95 that allowed multiple computer players to play together online. The originally called SATCO organization was created in July 2001 VATSIM. VATSIM members can use the programs Squawkbox, FSInn or XSquawkbox ( for pilots ) and ASRC (Advanced Simulated Radar Client), VRC (Virtual Radar Client) or Euro Scope ( for controllers ) flying together in this virtual airspace or offer pilotage services. Participation is free, but the community is characterized by a variety of freeware projects and higher degree of reality from. Communication is carried out via a text - chat box or a built- in the VATSIM software voice communication program. For this you need a voice communication connected to the PC microphone and speakers. For pilots and air traffic controllers are country-specific training materials available; Air traffic controllers will also be trained by special instructors who often exercise this activity as real profession.
VATSIM is divided into regions and divisions, which are modeled on the reality as far as possible. The European region consists of three divisions - one of which includes the UK, another Russia and other former Eastern bloc countries, and the largest area of Division ( VATEUD ) covers the entire rest of Europe, from the Mediterranean to the northern tip of Scandinavia and from the Atlantic to the Balkans. These divisions are further divided into "Virtual Area Control Center" ( vACC ); also called area control center. Cf Area Control Center.
In German-speaking existed at the beginning of the vACC - SAG (where SAG was for Switzerland, Austria & Germany ). End of 2008, initially split the emerging vACC from Austria ( it was the SAG Switzerland and Germany ), March 1, 2009, the vACC Switzerland put them on their feet. The new Statutes of the remaining vACC Germany, which carries the brand names VATSIM Germany since the virtual opening event on October 3rd 2009, entered into force on 1 October 2009.
The airspace of a vACC is divided into Flight Information Regions ( FIRs ) and these in turn into regional groups ( RGs ). Within the vACC Germany exist EDWW FIR ( with the RGs Berlin and Bremen ), EDGG FIR ( Langen, with the RGs EDLL Dusseldorf and Frankfurt EDFF ), as well as the EDMM FIR ( Munich). The former parts of the vACC SAG, the LSAS FIR ( Switzerland ) and the lovv FIR ( Austria ) are completely covered by the relevant vACCs.
Regular meetings of the members, both within the FIRs and vACC across are not uncommon - what the members can be with each other good friends.
In total, more than 11 million hours of flight time were completed and nearly 2 million hours were pilot online.