Most VATSIM members know that air traffic controllers obtain special ratings to work at various levels of control positions. However, did you know that there is a separate pilot rating system as well?

VATSIM pilot ratings mirror the real-world progression that pilots follow throughout their careers. Pilots begin with the P0 rating, awarded upon completion of the entry examination that all new VATSIM members must take. At this stage, pilots may choose to pursue subsequent ratings, although it is not required. With just a P0 rating, pilots have full access to their entire hangar of aircraft, as long as all flights comply with general code of conduct restrictions.

For those who wish to continue training and earn additional pilot ratings, the first step is the private pilot rating. Similar to real-world training, this initial rating helps new pilots hone their skills in radio communication and flying from point to point on VATSIM. The next step is the instrument rating, where pilots learn to navigate through clouds, relying on their aircraft’s instrumentation to guide them between airports. Following that is the commercial multi-engine rating, which focuses on aircraft with multiple engines and further refines pilots’ skills on VATSIM. The final pilot rating is the airline transport pilot rating, where all the skills learned are combined and tested while operating the largest aircraft on the network.

For those interested in pursuing VATSIM pilot ratings, prospective students should check the current list of Authorized Training Organizations (ATOs) available on MyVATSIM. ATOs may be part of a Virtual Airline or be separate groups primarily focused on pilot training. They are equipped to train pilots of all skill levels to meet the requirements for VATSIM pilot ratings.

Lastly, for any real-world pilots, VATSIM allows for the recognition of real-world pilot certifications. To initiate the license transfer process, visit your MyVATSIM account and navigate to ‘Pilot Training.’ Real-world ratings will be automatically credited to their respective VATSIM pilot ratings.