VATSIM and IVAO Briefing with NG ROUTE

Online air traffic networks expect you to file a coherent IFR route, fly plausible altitudes, and handle weather like a real pilot. NG ROUTE is not a substitute for VATSIM or IVAO flight plan filing tools, but it is an excellent pre-briefing engine: airways, nav log, METAR, fuel, cruise level, and exportable routes that match what you will fly in the cockpit.

Recommended briefing workflow

1. Enter departure and arrival ICAO codes on NG ROUTE.
2. Select HIGH or LOW airways appropriate for your aircraft.
3. Choose the aircraft type for fuel and performance hints.
4. Create the flight plan and review the ICAO route string.
5. Check SIGMET/AIRMET along the route if displayed.
6. Note CRUISE flight level and compare with semi-circular direction rules.
7. Record departure and arrival METAR and suggested runways.
8. Export to your sim format (FMS, PLN, or Aerofly mission).
9. File on VATSIM or IVAO using the same route string where possible.

Filing the route online

Copy the ICAO route from NG ROUTE — the line under the summary such as:

EGLL DCT BOVVA UL607 KONAN UL607 KOK DCT EHAM

Paste into the route field of the VATSIM flight plan form or IVAO Whazzup / flight plan page. Use the same departure and destination ICAO codes. Request the CRUISE altitude NG ROUTE suggested unless you have a specific ATC or event requirement.

Controllers see hundreds of filings; airway-based routes look more credible than DCT-only straight lines between major hubs.

Cruise altitude and ATC

NG ROUTE applies semi-circular cruising conventions (odd eastbound, even westbound in typical RVSM airspace). File that level initially. VATSIM controllers may amend your altitude for traffic — comply with clearance even if it differs from the planner.

Know your filed level before takeoff so you can read back departure clearance correctly.

METAR and runway expectations

NG ROUTE METAR helps you anticipate which runway ATC will prefer for wind. On VATSIM, ATIS often matches real-world METAR closely. Brief the suggested runway but remain flexible — controllers may assign the reciprocal for traffic flow.

Set sim weather to live or match METAR manually before connecting if you want the approach to reflect briefing conditions.

Fuel and alternates

NG ROUTE total fuel includes trip, contingency, alternate, reserve, and taxi components. Online networks do not check your sim fuel, but running dry mid-event embarrasses you and disrupts traffic. Load at least the TOTAL FUEL figure into the sim.

Pick a mental alternate airport near your destination using NG ROUTE airport pages if destination weather is marginal — the fuel section assumes a 200 NM diversion possibility.

Loading the route in the cockpit

• X-Plane: Load .fms per the X-Plane guide
• MSFS: Load .pln per the MSFS guide
• Aerofly: Custom mission per the Aerofly guide

Verify the first and last five waypoints in the FMS against the NG ROUTE nav log before requesting pushback. Callsign and equipment codes still come from the network filing form, not NG ROUTE.

Editing before you fly

If ATC amends your route online, you can mirror changes using NG ROUTE map editing — add or remove waypoints — then re-export for a future session replay. During a live event, change the FMS manually to match clearance; do not refresh the browser mid-flight.

IVAO-specific notes

IVAO pilots often use IvAp or web tools for METAR and charts alongside sim briefings. NG ROUTE complements those tools with a fast airway route skeleton. Ensure your filed aircraft type matches what you will fly — controllers use type for separation and speed expectations.

VATSIM-specific notes

VATSIM events sometimes publish required routes or slots. When an event route is mandatory, use that string instead of NG ROUTE's auto path. For routine flights, NG ROUTE provides realistic structure for non-event days.

Connect voice or text, monitor UNICOM/CTAF where applicable, and read back clearances. The planner cannot replace radio discipline.

Random routes for proficiency

Between events, use random route generation to practice unfamiliar airspace, then file the result online for full IFR workload — clearance, climb, cruise, descent, approach.

What NG ROUTE does not do for online flying

• Submit flight plans to VATSIM or IVAO automatically
• Provide voice phraseology or SOP for your airline VA
• Replace charts for terminal procedures
• Guarantee navdata matches your sim FMS on outdated cycles

Pre-connect checklist

1. Route filed on network ✓
2. FMS loaded and cross-checked ✓
3. Fuel loaded ✓
4. METAR/ATIS reviewed ✓
5. CRUISE level noted ✓
6. Simulator and pilot client running ✓

NG ROUTE gets your paperwork and cockpit route aligned before you connect. Treat it as your dispatch desk for simulation — then let VATSIM or IVAO controllers bring the traffic.

Online network operations are for simulation entertainment. NG ROUTE is not certified for real-world dispatch.