Flying Direct, VFR, and Custom Charters

You are not limited to airline schedules

Delta Virtual encourages published schedules but allows charter flights and flexible routes for normal operations. The SOP explicitly permits direct, point-to-point, VFR, and normally planned routes.

This replaces older rules that appeared to require a SimBrief route for every flight. You can still use SimBrief or another flight-planning tool whenever it improves your simulation.

Before flying a charter

1. Choose valid departure and arrival airports supported by the simulator and Delta Virtual systems.
2. Select a suitable aircraft and plan your fuel, weather, and route appropriately.
3. Enter or create the charter using the current Crew Center or approved client workflow, where available.
4. Record the flight with an approved ACARS client.
5. If a legitimate diversion occurs, add a concise PIREP comment.

Are aircraft restrictions applied?

For ordinary flights, the listed Typical Subfleet is guidance rather than a mandatory choice. Aircraft or route restrictions may still apply to a specific event, tour, or special operation.

VFR and online networks

VFR flights are allowed by Delta Virtual. If flying with VATSIM, IVAO, or another online network, you must also follow that network's current rules and valid ATC instructions. Delta Virtual's flexibility does not waive another network's requirements.

Good planning is still important

Even when a filed route is not mandatory, check weather, available fuel, runway length, terrain, aircraft performance, and applicable airspace rules for your simulator flight.

Policy reference: SOP v4.0, sections 6.1-6.4 and 8.1-8.3.