Executive Airlift
C-21 · C-32 · C-40
Mission Qualification Training (MQT)
This course qualifies aircrew to safely and effectively operate executive transport aircraft in accordance with vTAC standards. Training progresses through three qualification phases — Basic, Operational, and Advanced — each building on the last. Completion of the Operational phase is required for promotion eligibility to 1st Lieutenant.
B-Course — Not VSOA. Completion of this course does not affect VATSIM qualification status. It is required to operate executive transport aircraft under vAMC in vTAC MAJCOM operations.
Student Requirements
Simulator
- •Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 or 2024
- •Approved C-21, C-32, or C-40 simulation platform
Communications
- •Functional Discord audio capability
- •Access to current squadron SOPs and guidance
Tracking Software
- REQFSHub
- OPTVolanta
- OPTLittle Navmap
- OPTLanding Rate Monitor
Course Structure
Basic Qualification
Aircraft systems, IFR procedures, approaches, ATC communications, FMC/CDU, emergency procedures, and cross-country execution.
Operational Qualification
Multi-leg planning, fuel/alternate, weather ops, crew coordination, diversion procedures, and multiplayer integration.
Advanced Operational
Joint exercise ops, formation coordination, live ATC, mission leadership, risk management, and structured debriefs.
Basic Qualification
Objective: Develop fundamental proficiency in aircraft systems, IFR procedures, aircraft handling, and crew coordination. All nine areas must be demonstrated to an Instructor Pilot. Completion standard: safe aircraft operation without instructor intervention, compliant with all applicable squadron procedures.
Aircraft Power-Up & Shutdown
Perform a complete cold-and-dark power-up from APU start through engine start, and a full shutdown sequence returning the aircraft to cold-and-dark. Demonstrate checklist discipline and correct system sequencing throughout.
Graded Items: Checklist compliance, APU start, engine start sequence, system verification, avionics initialization, orderly shutdown.
FMC/CDU Initialization
Initialize the Flight Management Computer from scratch: enter aircraft identification, departure airport and gate, fuel load, performance data, and load or manually enter a complete IFR route. Verify the active route against the filed flight plan before taxi.
Graded Items: IDENT/DEP/ARR pages, fuel entry, performance init, route load or manual waypoint entry, SID/STAR selection, route verification.
IFR Flight Planning
Plan and file a complete IFR flight plan using SimBrief or equivalent software. Demonstrate selection of a realistic route, appropriate cruise altitude, suitable alternate, and correct fuel load for a strategic executive transport mission.
Graded Items: Route selection, cruise altitude, alternate viability, fuel coverage (trip + reserves), OFP review, SID/STAR compatibility.
Departure & Arrival Procedures
Execute a full SID departure and STAR arrival, complying with all published altitude and speed constraints. Demonstrate proper FMC management during transitions and correct handling of ATC vectors or direct-to clearances that modify the filed routing.
Graded Items: SID constraint compliance, STAR constraint compliance, FMC modification on clearance change, transition to approach configuration.
ILS / RNAV Approaches
Demonstrate proficiency on ILS and RNAV (GPS) approaches. Fly at least one of each type to a full-stop landing. Demonstrate correct intercept geometry, glidepath/course tracking, missed approach execution if directed, and stable approach criteria at the gate.
Graded Items: Intercept geometry, glide path/course tracking, speed and configuration at FAF, stable approach gate, touchdown zone, missed approach execution.
ATC Communications
Demonstrate proper ATC phraseology and communication procedures for all phases of flight: pre-departure, departure, en route, approach, and landing. Includes reading back clearances correctly and managing frequency changes in a timely manner. Also covers vTAC Discord voice coordination.
Graded Items: Clearance readback accuracy, frequency changes, ATIS copy, position reports, missed/re-cleared handling, vTAC Discord integration.
LNAV / VNAV Operations
Demonstrate proficiency in using the FMC's LNAV and VNAV modes for the full en route phase. This includes understanding mode annunciations, managing path deviations, and correctly intervening when VNAV/LNAV does not capture or follow as expected.
Graded Items: Mode engagement and verification, lateral path adherence, VNAV altitude capture, intervention on deviation, speed management via FMC.
Basic Emergency Procedures
Demonstrate ability to identify and respond to basic in-flight emergencies in accordance with the aircraft operating manual. Emphasis on memory item execution, correct checklist use, and basic CRM principles under simulated emergency conditions.
Graded Items: Emergency recognition, memory item execution, checklist compliance, aviate/navigate/communicate priority, divert decision.
Cross-Country Mission Execution
Plan and execute a complete cross-country IFR mission using all skills developed in EXAIR-1. The sortie must include a full SimBrief plan, FMC initialization, SID departure, en route LNAV/VNAV operation, STAR arrival, and an instrument approach to a full-stop landing at a destination other than the departure airport.
Example Mission Profile
Mission destination should be at least 150 NM from departure. File a full IFR plan before engine start.
Graded Items: End-to-end mission execution, SID/STAR compliance, en route LNAV/VNAV, ATC communications, approach, landing. All EXAIR-1 skills demonstrated on a single sortie.
EXAIR-1 Complete — Basic Qualification
The pilot is authorized to operate executive transport aircraft under direct vAMC supervision. EXAIR-2 must be completed for independent mission execution and promotion eligibility to 1st Lieutenant.
Operational Qualification
Required for 1st Lieutenant Promotion
Completion of EXAIR-2 is required for promotion eligibility to 1st Lieutenant within participating virtual squadrons. This phase demonstrates the ability to independently plan and execute realistic transport missions IAW squadron operational standards.
Objective: Develop proficiency in realistic strategic airlift and executive transport mission execution. All eight areas must be demonstrated to an Instructor Pilot.
Multi-Leg Mission Planning
Plan and file a complete multi-leg executive transport mission with at least two flight legs and an intermediate stop. Demonstrate ability to link legs in SimBrief, manage fuel burn across legs, and account for ground time and ramp fuel between stops.
Graded Items: Leg-to-leg fuel continuity, ramp fuel at intermediate stop, overall mission feasibility, alternates for each leg, OFP review.
Fuel & Alternate Planning
Demonstrate thorough fuel and alternate planning for an executive transport mission. This includes correct contingency fuel, alternate fuel, final reserve, and extra fuel for anticipated holds. Justify alternate airport selection relative to destination weather and fuel state.
Graded Items: Fuel breakdown accuracy, contingency not reduced below 5%, alternate selection rationale, final reserve protection, hold fuel added when appropriate.
Weight & Balance
Calculate aircraft weight and balance for an executive transport mission with a configured passenger load. Demonstrate understanding of how passenger seating and baggage placement affect CG, and derive correct V-speeds from computed gross weight.
Graded Items: GW calculation, ZFW, CG at departure and landing weights, V-speed derivation, identification of any limiting conditions.
Adverse Weather Operations
Demonstrate ability to plan for and operate in adverse weather conditions including low ceilings, reduced visibility, icing, and turbulence. Emphasis on pre-flight weather analysis, en route weather avoidance, and decision-making for diversion or hold.
Graded Items: Weather briefing completeness, destination weather analysis, alternate selection versus forecast, en route deviation rationale, divert trigger criteria.
Crew Coordination (CRM)
Demonstrate sound Crew Resource Management principles throughout a mission. In a single-pilot MSFS environment, this means narrating key decisions, completing checklists aloud, maintaining situational awareness verbally, and managing cockpit workload systematically — particularly during high-workload phases.
Graded Items: Checklist completion at each phase, verbal situational awareness, workload management, prioritization of aviate/navigate/communicate.
Diversion Procedures
Execute a simulated diversion to an alternate airport. The IP will introduce a divert scenario (weather, mechanical, or ATC-directed) en route or on approach. Demonstrate ability to select a suitable alternate, replan the FMC, and execute the divert without excessive delay.
Graded Items: Alternate airport selection, FMC direct-to or route modification, ATC notification, fuel state check before committing, approach and landing at alternate.
Operational Decision Making
Demonstrate sound aeronautical decision making (ADM) across a full-mission sortie. The IP will present scenario-based decisions requiring the student to weigh go/no-go criteria, weather minimums, fuel state, and passenger considerations against schedule pressure.
Graded Items: Go/no-go rationale, weather minimums application, fuel margin awareness, passenger/schedule pressure handling, willingness to divert or delay.
Multiplayer Integration
Demonstrate ability to conduct an executive transport mission in a vTAC multiplayer environment. This includes joining the correct Discord voice channel, coordinating with other aircraft or packages as directed, and maintaining professional conduct throughout the session.
Graded Items: FSHub active and tracking, Discord voice coordination, professional radio discipline, package/formation awareness if applicable.
EXAIR-2 Complete — Operational Qualification
The pilot is authorized for independent executive transport mission execution under vAMC and is eligible for promotion to 1st Lieutenant. EXAIR-3 is not required for promotion but may be required for designated operational events or exercises.
Advanced Operational Qualification
Not Required for Promotion
EXAIR-3 is not required for promotion. It may be required for participation in designated operational events or exercises. Pilots should complete EXAIR-2 before beginning EXAIR-3.
Objective: Prepare pilots for advanced multiplayer operations, joint exercises, and leadership roles. Completion standard: professional operational competency, mission leadership, sound aeronautical decision making, and adherence to squadron SOPs.
Joint Exercise Participation
Demonstrate ability to participate in a structured vTAC joint exercise as an executive transport asset. This includes understanding exercise orders, adhering to exercise timelines, coordinating with other MAJCOMs or packages, and operating within the joint operations framework.
Graded Items: Exercise order comprehension, timeline adherence, inter-MAJCOM coordination, mission completion IAW exercise objectives.
Formation & Package Coordination
Demonstrate ability to operate as part of a multi-aircraft package. Covers formation join-up procedures, package radio discipline, separation standards, and coordinated approach/landing sequencing with other aircraft in the package.
Graded Items: Join-up technique, radio discipline, separation maintenance, package comms coordination, sequenced approach and landing.
High-Density Airspace Operations
Demonstrate ability to operate professionally and safely in high-density airspace environments — major hub airports, constrained oceanic tracks, or complex TMA structures. Emphasis on maintaining situational awareness, holding procedures, and workload management when clearances are delayed or modified.
Graded Items: Holding entry and execution, amended clearance compliance, situational awareness under high comms workload, FMC modification speed.
Live ATC Network Familiarization
Demonstrate basic familiarity and operational competence operating on the VATSIM live ATC network. Covers pre-connection setup, VATSIM procedures, interaction with live controllers, and correct use of pilot clients (vPilot, xPilot) in conjunction with MSFS.
Graded Items: Pilot client setup and connection, ATIS/pre-departure clearance, compliance with live controller instructions, professional radio conduct.
Dynamic Mission Replanning
Demonstrate ability to replan a mission dynamically in response to significant changes introduced during flight — divert orders, weather deterioration, systems issues, or ATC rerouting. The IP will introduce a scenario requiring substantive route or fuel replanning mid-mission.
Graded Items: New destination/route selection, FMC modification speed, fuel state reassessment, ATC coordination for amended clearance, smooth execution of replanned route.
Mission Leadership
Lead a multi-aircraft executive transport mission as Mission Commander. Responsibilities include pre-mission briefing, assigning roles within the package, monitoring overall mission progress, and making command-level decisions on diversion, abort, or mission continuation.
Graded Items: Pre-mission briefing quality, role assignment, in-flight command decisions, communication clarity, debrief completeness.
Operational Risk Management
Demonstrate application of operational risk management (ORM) principles to a complex executive transport mission. The IP will present a mission scenario with multiple risk factors; the student must identify, assess, and mitigate risks before and during the sortie.
Graded Items: Risk factor identification, mitigation measures, go/no-go threshold articulation, in-flight risk reassessment when conditions change.
Structured Debrief Procedures
Conduct a structured post-mission debrief covering all graded events of the sortie. Debrief should follow a logical sequence: mission overview, administrative items, objectives met/not met, significant events, lessons learned, and action items for future sorties.
Graded Items: Debrief structure, self-assessment accuracy, identification of learning points, action items for future sorties, professional conduct throughout.
EXAIR-3 Complete — Advanced Operational Qualification
The pilot demonstrates professional operational competency and is authorized for designated vTAC exercise events and advanced multiplayer operations. All three EXAIR qualifications are logged in your vTAC qualification record.