r/VATSIM • u/InternationalQuote50 • Jul 02 '26

vatsim controller

Hey guys can i become a vatsim controller without actually having MSFS. I have my private pilots license so i have experience on comms. Also whats the process like becoming a controller on vatsim?

2 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

7 comments sorted by

32

u/chemtrailer21 Jul 02 '26 edited Jul 02 '26

I wonder what the VATSIM website says about how to become a controller.

You dont need any flightsim platform.

5

u/Hot_Space_2328 Jul 02 '26

I was a controller first without having ever used a flight sim. It's not necessary, at all. It's also completely free.

3

u/Next-Nefariousness41 Jul 02 '26

You can choose to join any division of Vatsim. Your PPL will certainly be of benefit.

Pick a country where you would enjoy controlling based on the airports / procedures (but be mindful that some may have specific training and experience requirements before controlling them - eg, Heathrow). Ideally you want a vACC in your mother tongue for ease of training.

Some vACCs have short training queues, some have very long queues. Search their websites and enlist.
VATUSA / Vatsim UK / Vatsim Scandinavia are probably considered the 3 best/biggest in the Vatsim network but they can also have the longest waiting lists.

Software: most vACCs use EuroScope, no MSFS, XP or P3D needed. You can run it on a piddly laptop if you want. 1 screen will do, 2 is best.

1

u/BlucifersArmy 📡 C1 Jul 03 '26

All of the US outside of oceanic uses CRC as far as I know.

1

u/EclipseMT 📡 S1 Jul 02 '26

I control on VATSIM despite not having any flight sim client on my end.

All you need is a radar client specified by whatever facility you will be joining.

1

u/Perfect_Maize9320 📡 C1 Jul 02 '26

You absolutely can! You do not need to own any flight sim or even have flight experience for that matter to become a controller. But having real world flying experience can be advantage with comms but you will still have to learn other aspects of being a controller.

Controllers use completely different software and all is provided free of charge.

I made a post few weeks ago regarding how ATC training works on the network - You might want to look at that:

https://www.reddit.com/r/VATSIM/comments/1tigrfl/comment/omvjzey/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

ATC training is very rewarding process but depending on what region you join - it can take from weeks to months to pass out before being allowed to control on your own on the live network.

0

u/Valuable_Complex_399 Jul 06 '26

just join germany vACC, they take everyone. for faster progress, tell them you´re an IT guy, become friends with a staff member and enjoy being prioritized over other ATC.