What is Air Traffic Control Air Traffic Control (ATC) is the cornerstone of our hobby and it is provided by a team of controllers, whose "job" is to simulate as best they can the duties of a real air traffic controller, namely to oversee the safe and expedient flow of traffic in the airspace where flights are conducted. It is our ambition to create an environment of maximum realism and at the same time maximum enjoyment, which is after all the point of our hobby.
The team of controllers is NOT a closed society. Its members are friends of the hobby who may at the same time be pilots (the stage at which most - if not all - begin) and can both fly as virtual pilots and control as ATC, although of course not at the same time. We wish to reiterate: being a pilot is NOT a prerequisite for controlling and vice versa.  Screenshot of the Air Traffic Control simulation program Euroscope
In the training section of our website you will find information on becoming members of the team of controllers and on how to perform ATC duties. How Virtual Air Traffic Control works. Virtual Air Traffic Control is performed by specially trained aviation enthusiasts on the VATSIM network, through the use of (one of) three freeware programs: ASRC, EuroScope (image to your left) & VRC. Through the use of such software, the virtual Controller can observe and direct traffic in his/her airspace.
At the same time, a voice server carries the Controller's instructions to the pilots in his/her area of control. In the images to the left, you can see a screenshot in EuroScope as well as the multitude of information the software provides. As one can observe, the information presented to the virtual air traffic controller are very interesting. What does an Air Traffic Controller do?In short, an Air Traffic Controller is responsible for:
1. Verifying and clearing crews and aircraft for their flight plan.
2. Giving instructions for taxiing, departure, as well as METAR and information.
3. Verifying the correct completion of a flight plan, as filed.
4. Providing clearances to aircrews for changes in altitude, course and speed.
5. Providing vectors for arrival and approach to the destination airport. It's exciting! You may get the impression that Air Traffic Control is a rather dull and easy procedure. This can be true if traffic is light. Remember, though, in contrast to piloting (a "one on one" situation with you handling the controls and the Controller giving instructions), controlling can bring you face to face with interesting situations. Often you will have to clear arrivals while aircraft are waiting to depart and vice versa, whilst ensuring safety, separation and expedience.
Surely, we all feel great satisfaction when we successfully perform a difficult landing in low visibility, with high wind. Be assured, that controllers feel the same exhilaration when, after a long night of heavy traffic, they have succeeded in directing traffic with "real life" professionalism. Truly, "as real as it gets"!
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