Training

Training and Qualification

AAOC training is a proficiency-based, self-guided qualification program designed to move members from initial orientation through aircraft qualification, specialized mission training, and command-level operations.

Training is conducted in Microsoft Flight Simulator on the VATSIM network. Training flights are completed independently rather than with a physical instructor onboard. Instructors and training staff review submitted flight records, SmartCARS data, required evidence, and final qualification flights after completion.

Training Standards

  • All required training flights must be conducted on the VATSIM network unless specifically designated as an offline ground or systems exercise.
  • All flight training must be tracked through the approved AAOC SmartCARS system.
  • Students are responsible for flight planning, aircraft setup, ATC communications, navigation, and completion of assigned mission objectives.
  • No physical instructor is required to be onboard or connected during normal training flights.
  • Training staff review completed flights asynchronously using SmartCARS records, PIREPs, screenshots, submitted reports, and other required evidence.
  • Final qualification flights must be continuously recorded using JoinFS and submitted with the required flight documentation.
  • Missing, incomplete, or unverifiable tracking data may result in the flight being rejected or repeated.
  • Members must demonstrate safe aircraft handling, professional radio communications, correct VATSIM procedures, and compliance with AAOC SOPs.

Phase I — Command Orientation

  1. Complete AAOC registration and confirm your member profile, home base, primary division, and assigned callsign.
  2. Review the AAOC Code of Conduct, SOPs, VATSIM requirements, PIREP standards, and event communications procedures.
  3. Install and test SmartCARS before beginning any tracked flight training.
  4. Verify Microsoft Flight Simulator, required aircraft, scenery, navigation data, and communications software are functioning correctly.
  5. Review basic aviation terminology, standard fighter and military-style calls, ATC phraseology, and AAOC mission reporting expectations.

Phase II — Initial Flight Qualification

Initial flight training establishes the basic standards required before a member begins specialized aircraft qualification.

  • Aircraft familiarization and cockpit setup
  • Preflight planning and weather review
  • VATSIM flight-plan preparation
  • Taxi, departure, climb, cruise, descent, approach, and landing procedures
  • ATC communication and correct readbacks
  • Visual navigation and instrument navigation fundamentals
  • Fuel, payload, aircraft performance, and diversion planning
  • SmartCARS operation and PIREP submission

Flights are completed independently. After each sortie, training staff review the submitted flight and issue one of the following results:

  • Complete — Training objective satisfied.
  • Remediation Required — Additional study or corrective training is required.
  • Repeat Required — The flight must be flown again before progression.

Phase III — Fixed-Wing Qualification

Fixed-wing training is self-guided and progressively introduces VFR, IFR, cross-country, aircraft systems, and mission-management skills.

Core Fixed-Wing Progression

  • FW-000 — Course Reading and Setup Acknowledgment
  • FW-100 — Aircraft, Flight Planning, and Tracker Setup
  • FW-200 Series — VFR Aircraft Handling and Navigation
  • FW-300 Series — IFR Procedures and Instrument Operations
  • Final Qualification Flight — Full mission-profile evaluation with SmartCARS and continuous JoinFS recording

Students independently plan, file, fly, and complete each assigned sortie on VATSIM. Training staff review the completed SmartCARS flight log, PIREP, required screenshots, mission products, and student self-assessment.

Phase IV — Rotary-Wing Qualification

Rotary-wing training develops helicopter-specific aircraft control, VFR and IFR operations, navigation, landing-zone operations, cross-country management, and specialized mission capability.

  • Rotor-wing aerodynamics and aircraft systems
  • Hover, taxi, departure, and arrival procedures
  • VFR navigation and confined-area operations
  • IFR and instrument procedures
  • Long-range cross-country mission management
  • Search, rescue, transport, surveillance, and special-mission profiles
  • VATSIM communications and helicopter-specific ATC procedures

Rotary-wing qualification flights are completed independently on VATSIM and tracked through SmartCARS. Required final evaluations must also include the designated JoinFS recording and supporting documentation.

Phase V — Fighter Training

Members entering fighter operations must complete an advanced training progression before operating frontline fighter aircraft during AAOC missions.

Trainer Phase

Students begin in an assigned training aircraft such as the T-6 or T-38 before progressing to an operational fighter platform.

  • High-performance aircraft handling
  • Military-style departures and recoveries
  • Formation fundamentals
  • Navigation and fuel management
  • Pattern work and overhead procedures
  • Standard fighter radio calls and brevity fundamentals
  • ATC integration on VATSIM
  • Emergency and abnormal-procedure knowledge

Operational Fighter Qualification

After successfully completing the trainer phase, members may begin aircraft-specific fighter qualification in their assigned platform.

  • Aircraft systems and limitations
  • Advanced navigation and mission planning
  • Formation procedures
  • Airspace and special-operations coordination
  • Standard tactical-style communications used for simulation
  • Mission execution within AAOC and VATSIM rules
  • Final aircraft qualification sortie with SmartCARS and JoinFS evidence

Phase VI — UAS Qualification

AAOC UAS training provides a structured path for members operating unmanned aircraft or approved simulation stand-in aircraft.

  • UQ-000 — Reading Acknowledgment
  • UQ-101 — Ground and Sensor Qualification Lab
  • UQ-201 — MQ-9 Local Familiarization Flight
  • UQ-202 — RQ-21 / HVN-9000 Compact UAS Profile
  • UQ-203 — RQ-4 High-Altitude ISR Profile
  • UQ-301 — Maritime Domain Awareness Mission
  • UQ-302 — Border / Infrastructure Awareness Mission
  • UQ-303 — Law-Enforcement / Interdiction Surveillance Simulation
  • UQ-400 — Final Self-Guided Capstone Mission

UAS students must provide sufficient tracking and mission evidence for training staff to verify the sortie, mission objectives, flight time, route, and required mission products.

Phase VII — Communications and ATC

Every AAOC pilot is expected to communicate professionally and confidently while operating on VATSIM.

  • ATC clearance format and correct readbacks
  • Ground, tower, departure, center, approach, and CTAF operations
  • VFR and IFR radio procedures
  • Military and fighter-style aviation terminology
  • Formation and flight-lead communications
  • Mission check-ins and position reports
  • Standard AAOC event communications
  • Lost-communications and non-controlled-airspace procedures

Military-style terminology does not provide priority or special authority on VATSIM. All AAOC members remain subject to normal VATSIM rules and ATC instructions.

Phase VIII — Mission Qualification

After completing the required aircraft qualification, members may progress into specialized AAOC mission training.

  • Search and rescue
  • Air medical support
  • Surveillance and ISR simulation
  • Maritime patrol
  • Air mobility and transport
  • Command-and-control support
  • Fighter and special-operations support
  • Joint VSOA and large-scale network events

Mission qualifications may require additional aircraft-specific training, mission documentation, event participation, or proficiency checks.

Final Qualification Standard

The final qualification sortie is designed to demonstrate that the member can safely and independently conduct a complete AAOC flight from mission preparation through shutdown and reporting.

The final training flight must include:

  • Active VATSIM connection for the required portions of the flight
  • Approved AAOC callsign and flight plan
  • Continuous SmartCARS tracking
  • Continuous JoinFS recording for the required evaluation period
  • Correct aircraft and mission profile
  • Professional ATC communication
  • Required screenshots, mission products, or supporting evidence
  • Completed PIREP and training submission

Training staff will review the completed sortie before qualification is issued. A member is not considered qualified on an aircraft or mission category until the required training has been reviewed and approved.

Continued Proficiency

Qualification is not the end of training. AAOC members are expected to maintain proficiency through regular flying, events, mission participation, recurrent training, and any aircraft-specific requirements established by the Training Department.

Members may be assigned refresher or remediation training when significant proficiency issues are identified or when returning after an extended period of inactivity.