Diversions, Pauses, and Flight Recovery
What to do when weather, ATC, or simulator problems interrupt a flight.
Are diversions allowed?
Yes. A genuine diversion may be necessary because of weather, ATC instructions, airport closures, aircraft condition, fuel considerations, or another reasonable operational reason.
If you land at an airport other than your planned destination, add a brief explanation in your PIREP comments. Include relevant details, such as the reason for the diversion, where you landed, and any supporting evidence.
Can I pause or recover from a crash?
Reasonable pauses and recovery from simulator, aircraft, operating-system, network, or ACARS failures are permitted. If a restart or recovery action makes your recorded flight look unusual, explain it so Pilot Operations has the context.
If ACARS disconnects during flight
- Do not intentionally alter recorded flight data.
- If it is safe to do so, record the time of the problem and take a screenshot.
- Try the normal reconnect or recovery options available in your ACARS client.
- Preserve any logs or flight-tracking evidence.
- If you cannot submit a legitimate completed flight, ask Pilot Operations about a manual PIREP.
Online flying
Follow the current rules and valid controller instructions of the network you are using. They take priority when they conflict with a normal Delta Virtual guideline.
Policy reference: Delta Virtual SOP v4.0, sections 6.3, 6.5, 7.3 and 8.1.
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