The platform's key words in plain language, followed by the questions that come up most often.
Glossary
- Airline
- a crew of players with a shared account, fleet and schedule.
- Line
- an entry in the schedule: a pair of airports, a number, aircraft types and a departure time. A line by itself never flies anywhere.
- Flight
- a single departure on a line: your booking or an NPC fleet leg.
- Flight report
- the record of a flight that earns the score, XP and revenue. Other virtual airlines call it a PIREP.
- Tracker
- a Windows app that records the flight from the simulator and files the report.
- Type rating
- permission to fly a family of types: an A320 rating covers the A319, A321 and neo. It lapses without flying.
- WTC
- wake turbulence category by weight: L, M, H, J. It sets the rank you need.
- XP
- pilot experience. Earned per flight, unlocks ranks.
- Hub
- an airline's home airport: cheaper handling and more passengers.
- Ferry
- an empty repositioning flight to another airport, paid for by the airline.
- Free flight
- a flight outside any schedule: personal hours and a little XP, no money.
- Check (A/C/D)
- scheduled maintenance driven by hours: the aircraft sits for a few hours and comes back with its life restored.
- Defect
- a fault on the aircraft. A critical one grounds it until it is cleared.
- Diversion
- landing at an alternate instead of the destination.
Common questions
Do I need VATSIM?
No, you can fly offline or on any network. But if you fly VATSIM, link your account in your profile: a network flight earns a bonus on revenue and XP.
Which simulator do I need?
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 or 2024, or X-Plane 11/12. The tracker needs 64-bit Windows 10 or 11.
Why won't the flight book?
A flight won't book if you already hold another booking; you lack the rank or the type rating; the aircraft is booked, in maintenance, at another airport or has a critical defect. The error message names the exact reason.
Where did my booking go?
Your airline's management may have cancelled it if the aircraft was needed for another flight. You get a notification, and the line stays open.
Can I fly without the tracker?
Yes, file the report by hand from the flight page. The score then rests on the landing alone.
Where do I ask if the answer isn't here?
For the team, write to the Support chat, first in Messages. Ask fellow pilots on the forum, and send bugs and wishes to Suggestions.