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Short, practical guides to the parts of flying that the simulator does not teach you: how to talk to ATC, read the weather, use charts and plan a descent.

Getting started

How a flight comes togetherThe order experienced simmers prepare a flight in, from picking a route to closing the door.2 min read Reading aeronautical chartsWhat is on an airport diagram, a SID, a STAR and an approach chart, and where to look first.2 min read AIRAC cycles explainedWhy aeronautical data changes every 28 days, how cycles are numbered, and why it matters in the simulator.1 min read

Weather

Reading METAR and TAFDecode the two weather reports you will use on every flight, group by group, with flight categories.2 min read Altimetry, QNH and transition levelsWhat QNH, QFE and standard pressure mean, and when to change the altimeter setting.2 min read

Talking to ATC

How air traffic control worksThe controller positions you meet on a flight, what each one does, and when you change frequency.2 min read Radio phraseology basicsHow to structure a call, what you must read back, and how to say numbers and letters on the radio.2 min read Squawk codes and emergenciesThe transponder codes everyone should know, how to declare an emergency, and what to do if the radio fails.2 min read

Navigation and procedures

Navaids and instrument approachesVOR, NDB, DME, ILS and RNAV approaches in plain terms, and what decision altitude and minimum descent altitude mean.2 min read Holding patternsHow a hold is flown, the three entries, leg timing and speed limits.2 min read Planning the descentWork out where to start down and how fast to descend, with the 3-to-1 rule and a check you can do in your head.2 min read

For controllers

Controlling basicsFor simmers who want to control: separation standards, wake turbulence, vectoring, handoffs and running an ATIS.2 min read

Reference

GlossaryShort definitions of the abbreviations and radio words you will meet in flight simulation.2 min read