Your First Flight — Complete Walkthrough

Complete Flight Walkthrough

This guide walks you through an entire flight from start to finish. We’ll cover every step so you know exactly what to expect.

Phase 1: Planning

1. Browse flights — Go to the Flights page and find a route you’d like to fly. For your first flight, we recommend a short domestic route (1-2 hours) so you can learn the process without a long commitment.
2. Check the details — Click on a flight to see the route, distance, estimated time, and which aircraft types are available.
3. Book the flight — Click Book. The flight is now reserved for you.

Phase 2: Dispatch

1. Select your aircraft — Choose a specific aircraft registration from the available subfleet. Each aircraft has its own history and flight hours.
2. Review the load — The system shows you how many passengers and how much cargo will be on your flight. This is generated realistically based on route demand.
3. Generate your OFP — Click Generate OFP to create your Operational Flight Plan via SimBrief. This opens the SimBrief dispatch page where you can:
   • Review or modify the planned route
   • Check weather conditions
   • Select your preferred flight level
   • Adjust fuel planning (though the defaults are usually good)
4. Confirm the OFP — Once SimBrief generates your plan, click Confirm to import it back into JetStream Virtual.

Phase 3: Briefing

After confirming your OFP, you’ll be taken to your Flight Briefing page. This is your one-stop shop for everything about your flight:

• OFP Document — Your full flight plan with route, fuel, weights and weather
• Performance / Load Sheet — Aircraft weights and balance information
• Passenger Name List — Full manifest of your passengers
• Crew Roster — Your operating crew with positions and threat assessment
• OCC Timeline — Real-time ground handling visualization

Take a few minutes to review these documents, just as a real airline crew would during their pre-flight briefing.

Phase 4: Simulator Setup

1. Load the simulator — Start your flight simulator and load at the departure airport and gate
2. Set up the aircraft — Load the correct fuel quantity from your OFP, set your route in the FMC/MCDU, configure your takeoff performance
3. Start vmsACARS — Launch the tracking application and select your flight
4. Click “Start Flight” — vmsACARS begins monitoring

Phase 5: Flying

1. Request pushback and start — When ready, release the parking brake. This is your “blocks off” time and the official start of your flight.
2. Taxi to the runway — Follow taxi instructions (if on a network) or taxi to the appropriate runway
3. Takeoff and climb — Depart and follow your flight plan route
4. Cruise — Sit back and monitor your flight. Check fuel burn against your plan.
5. Descent and approach — Begin your descent at the appropriate point, configure for landing
6. Landing — Touch down! Your landing rate is recorded by vmsACARS
7. Taxi to gate — Taxi to your assigned gate at the destination
8. Set parking brake — This is your “blocks on” time. Your flight is complete!

Phase 6: After the Flight

vmsACARS automatically files your PIREP. You can then:

• View your completed PIREP on the website with the full flight track
• Check your landing rate and flight statistics
• See your updated total hours and rank progress
• The PIREP will be reviewed (automatically or by an admin) and your hours credited

Tips for New Pilots

• Don’t rush — Take your time with the first few flights to learn the systems
• Use the OFP — It contains all the information you need; practice reading it
• Monitor fuel — Compare your actual fuel burn to the planned figures
• Ask for help — If something goes wrong or you’re confused, reach out to fellow pilots or administrators