C-17A Globemaster III
Mission Qualification Training
This course qualifies aircrew to safely and effectively operate the C-17A Globemaster III in accordance with vTAC standards. Completion certifies the pilot for strategic airlift operations within vAMC. The advanced tactical section is required separately for joint exercise participation.
B-Course — Not VSOA. Completion of this course does not affect VATSIM qualification status. It is required to operate the C-17A under vAMC in vTAC MAJCOM operations.
No prerequisites required. UPT (Blocks 1–3) is strongly recommended — proficiency with IFR procedures, weight & balance, and basic FMS operation will significantly reduce the learning curve.
Course Structure
Strategic Mobility Airlift — BASIC
Aircraft ground procedures, IFR flight planning, weight & balance, FMS loading, radios, approaches, emergencies, and AAR.
Tactical Mobility Airlift — ADVANCED
Tactical approaches, low-level terrain evasion, aerial delivery, threat awareness, and countermeasures. Not required for B-Course completion.
Strategic Mobility Airlift — BASIC
All items below must be demonstrated to an Instructor Pilot. Successful completion of all eight tasks qualifies the pilot for the C-17A B-Course and authorizes strategic airlift operations under vAMC.
Aircraft Ground Procedures
Perform aircraft power on, engine start, and power off procedures in accordance with the aircraft operating manual. Demonstrate checklist discipline and correct sequencing for each ground phase.
Graded Items: Checklist compliance, startup sequence, APU/engine start technique, system verification, power-off shutdown.
IFR Flight Planning
Plan and file a complete IFR flight plan using flight planning software (ForeFlight, SimBrief, or equivalent). Demonstrate ability to select appropriate routes, altitudes, alternates, and fuel loads for a strategic airlift mission.
Graded Items: Route selection, cruise altitude, alternate airport, fuel coverage, OFP review, SID/STAR selection.
Weight & Balance
Calculate aircraft weight and balance restrictions in accordance with the aircraft operations manual. Demonstrate understanding of how cargo load placement affects center of gravity and aircraft performance limits.
Graded Items: Gross weight calculation, ZFW, CG determination, max payload vs. fuel tradeoff, V-speed derivation from computed GW.
Flight Plan Import & FMS Loading
Import flight plan into MSFS and load the route into the aircraft's navigational systems. Demonstrate proficiency with the CDU/FMS including waypoint entry, SID/STAR selection, and flight plan verification prior to departure.
Graded Items: Successful file import, waypoint sequence accuracy, SID/STAR loading, altitude constraints entered, route cross-check against OFP.
Radios & Communications
Demonstrate ability to configure and utilize all aircraft radio systems. This includes setting up the primary and backup comm panels, navigating ATC frequency changes, and operating vTAC communication systems (Discord). Correct radio discipline and phraseology are required throughout.
Graded Items: Radio panel setup, frequency selection and change, ATIS/AWOS copy, ATC communication, vTAC Discord integration.
Airfield Approaches — Straight In
Perform a straight-in instrument approach to a full-stop landing. Demonstrate stable approach criteria, correct speed and configuration management, and proper go-around execution if required.
Graded Items: Approach intercept geometry, glide path tracking, speed at gate, configuration at FAF, touchdown zone, go-around technique.
In-Flight Emergencies
Demonstrate ability to identify and handle in-flight emergencies in accordance with the aircraft operating manual. Emphasis on memory item execution, checklist use, and crew coordination under simulated emergency conditions.
Graded Items: Emergency recognition, memory item execution, checklist compliance, priority of action (aviate/navigate/communicate), divert/recovery decision.
Air-to-Air Refueling — Receiver
C-17A OnlyDemonstrate ability to coordinate and perform Air-to-Air Refueling as the receiver. This includes tanker rendezvous, pre-contact position, boom contact, and safe breakaway. The C-17A uses a receptacle system; stable position-holding is the primary graded skill.
Graded Items: Tanker rendezvous, pre-contact position hold, boom contact technique, position stability during offload, breakaway procedure.
B-Course Completion — Strategic Basic
Upon successful demonstration of all eight tasks above, the pilot is awarded the C-17A B-Course and is authorized for strategic airlift operations under vAMC. Certification is logged by the vAMC training office and reflected in your vTAC qualification record.
Tactical Mobility Airlift — ADVANCED
Not Required for B-Course Completion
The items below are not required to complete the C-17A B-Course. Only the Strategic Airlift Basic section is required. However, demonstration of all seven advanced tasks is required for participation in joint exercises at the tactical level.
All items must be demonstrated to an Instructor Pilot. Advanced certification is logged separately and authorizes the pilot for tactical-level joint exercise operations.
Strategic Airlift Operations
Demonstrate basic understanding of Strategic Airlift Operations. Covers mission types (channel, contingency, special assignment), inter-theater airlift doctrine, and the C-17's role in global mobility.
Graded Items: Mission type identification, airlift command structure, planning considerations for strategic-range missions.
Tactical Airlift Operations
Demonstrate basic understanding of Tactical Airlift Operations. Covers intra-theater airlift, assault landing zones, short-field operations, and coordination with joint ground forces for airdrop and air-land missions.
Graded Items: Tactical mission types, LZ/DZ assessment criteria, coordination with ground forces, assault landing zone procedures.
Tactical Airfield Approaches
Perform all four tactical airfield approach types: Beam, Overhead, Teardrop, and Straight In. Approaches are flown sequentially in a single sortie to demonstrate proficiency across all profiles.
Graded Items: Pattern geometry, altitude management, speed at gates, approach stabilization, go-around execution.
Low Level Terrain Evasion
Perform a Low Level Terrain Evasion flight profile. Demonstrate ability to maintain prescribed altitude and speed along a planned low-level route while executing terrain masking and turn procedures.
Graded Items: Altitude maintenance, speed discipline, turn technique, terrain clearance margins, abort criteria recognition.
Aerial Delivery
Perform Aerial Delivery flight profiles for all three load configurations: Container Delivery System (CDS), Heavy Equipment, and Paratrooper. Each profile requires correct DZ approach, release altitude, and airspeed management.
Graded Items: DZ approach geometry, altitude and speed at release point, CG management during extraction, post-drop recovery, all three load configurations completed.
Threat Awareness — Combat Environment
Demonstrate basic understanding of threats to mobility aircraft in a simulated combat environment. Covers surface-to-air missiles (SAM), man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS), small arms fire envelopes, and threat warning system interpretation.
Graded Items: Threat type recognition, threat warning system response, threat avoidance maneuvering concept, route planning for threat avoidance.
Threat Evasion — Chaff & Flare
Demonstrate threat evasion flight profiles including use of the aircraft chaff and flare countermeasures system. Execute programmed and manual dispensing in conjunction with evasive maneuvers.
Graded Items: Threat detection response, chaff/flare dispensing technique, break turn execution, system arming/safe procedures, recovery to mission profile.
Advanced Certification — Tactical Qualification
Upon successful demonstration of all seven advanced tasks, the pilot is authorized to participate in joint exercises at the tactical level under vAMC. This certification is logged separately from the B-Course in your vTAC qualification record.