Installing VATSIM
Create an account. To use VATSIM, you will have to create an account. You can do this on their website. You need a working email address, have to use your real name, and have to be at least 13 years old to register. If you do not have these, you cannot register.
Download the software. Now that you have registered an account, you will need to download the software. This is available on the VATSIM website. If you have FSX or MSFS, download vPilot. If you have X-plane, download xPilot.
Connect your account to the app when loaded. Once the app is installed, open the app and go into settings. Here, you can configure different settings. The most important one is entering your account details. Enter your ID and password. On this page, you can also set up a PTT button. This is crucial in effectively communicating with ATC.
Load up your Flight Simulator. You will have to select the plane, flight plan (instructions on next part), and airport. Load the simulator up to the point where you are at a gate. Do not connect on a runway or taxiway, as repeated offenses of this can easily get you banned.
Connect to the network. Once the above steps are done, open your vPilot or xPilot and click connect. If everything is done properly, you will be connected to the VATSIM network. To tune a ATC frequency, you will enter the frequency in your plane. This will vary depending on the aircraft, but in most cases is in the middle of the cockpit.
Setting up your Flightplan
Go to Simbrief.com or a similar site. This site will allow you to set up a flight plan. It is free but has a paid option that has more features. In most cases, the free version should be sufficient. If you have a Navigraph subscription, you will have access to the paid features.
Select "create flight plan".
Fill in all the relevant information. This is the departure airport, arrival airport, aircraft type, and flight number. Once all of these are filled in, simbrief will generate a flight plan. If you are flying for a VA, you will have to use the appropriate callsign and flight number. If you have the free version, you will be using the last airac, so in the remarks, make sure you state this.
Click "Generate". This will generate your flight plan. If there are any errors, check over your flight plan to make sure everything is filled in.
File it on the network. After generating, you will have an option to prefile it. Select VATSIM. This will file the flight plan.
Download your flight plan. To actually use the flight plan in game, you will need to download it. Select the simulator you are using. The exact method of importing it in game varies based on simulators, but in most cases you will have an option to import.
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