VSOA Authorized Activities

vTAC is an approved Virtual Special Operations Association (VSOA) under the VATSIM Special Operations Department (VSOD). Certain activities on the VATSIM network are restricted to VSOA organizations and their certified members. This page lists which of those restricted activities vTAC conducts, per our Standard Operating Procedures and approved training program.

Members may only perform these activities when flying under an approved vTAC callsign and flight plan, and only after completing the required certification. See the training program for certification requirements.

Activities vTAC Conducts

AUTHORIZED

Air-to-Air Refueling

Tanker and receiver operations. Requires the AR certification (MQT / IFF air refueling modules).

AUTHORIZED

Air Combat Maneuvers

Basic fighter maneuvers and air combat training. Requires the A2A or CBT certification (IFF).

AUTHORIZED

Interception / Scramble of Other Aircraft

Conducted only with ATC coordination and consent of all parties, per VATSIM intercept policy. Requires the A2A certification.

AUTHORIZED

Flying Low-Level Military Routes

Military training route (MTR) navigation at low level. Covered in UPT Block 1 and MQT low-level training.

AUTHORIZED

Special Use Airspace Access

Requesting and using SUA (MOAs, restricted areas) on the network. Requires the VFR or IFR certification.

AUTHORIZED

Flying Escort Missions

Escort of other aircraft as part of formation and tactical operations. Requires the FORM certification.

AUTHORIZED

Joint Training Exercises

Joint exercises and events with other approved VSOAs and ATC facilities.

AUTHORIZED

War Games

Simulated military exercise scenarios. Fictional scenarios only — vTAC does not simulate real-world engagements, per VATSIM policy.

Restricted Activities vTAC Does Not Conduct

The following VSOA-restricted activities are outside vTAC's current mission set and are not part of our SOPs or training program:

  • Carrier operations
  • Search and rescue operations
  • Firefighting operations
  • Air displays (flying displays, races)
  • Unmanned aerial vehicle operations
  • Launch and recovery of space vehicles
  • Medical / humanitarian relief flights
  • Operation of surface vessels

Restricted activities are defined in the VATSIM Special Operations policy (VATSIM-POL-Special Operations). Questions about vTAC's authorizations should be directed to vTAC command via the contact page or Discord.