The ZID, ZME FNO originally scheduled for May 10, 2024 has been cancelled. There will be no FNO on this date.

Likely 2300 to 0300z, although the event thread will be posted shortly.

VATUSA released the following update after recent events in the division:


Hello everyone and happy Sunday,
I wanted to provide an update on the current state of events in the division and some steps that we will be taking moving forward.

First and foremost, the changes moving forward are mainly a result of one thing: record traffic numbers in the division. We have seen this both for events and in weekly movements in 2024. Between 2020 and the end of 2023, VATUSA traffic numbers exceeded 30,000 once in a given week. In 2024, the weekly traffic count exceeded 34,000 every week thus far. This also represents a 20% increase year-over-year. To clarify, January and February are already the busiest months of the year, but this year is an additional 20% on top of that.

The division, specifically me, apologizes for not better forecasting the increased traffic levels and the harm they would cause to events. I erred on the side of being less cautionary, which set some facilities up for failure.

Due to these incredible numbers, and the unlikelihood that they will return to a 2023 level, the division must take action. This action will mainly affect Friday and Saturday events. Specifically, all FNOs for the first half of 2024 will be analyzed weeks in advance, and events that will likely result in problems for controllers (at both the home facility and supports), pilots, and/or TMU personnel, will be modified. Saturday events will also be analyzed, mainly to ensure they do not burn out facilities. For example, facilities who schedule a Saturday event the day after their tier 1 has an FNO should expect their Saturday event to be moved.

Additionally, the division will work closely with facilities to ensure their FNO is set up for success in the weeks leading up to the event. The division will solicit subdivision input for the future of FNOs in April prior to bidding and any DP003 revision.

The division is also recommending that ECs reconsider their facility's events calendar for at least February and March. We encourage ECs to cancel events if they have more than two scheduled for a given month, especially if you see that a tier 1 has a big event that you need to support.

Please remember: with traffic levels as high as they are, facilities do not need to post events to the calendar as much as they have in the past. Staffing up can provide high volume periods while ensuring your tier 1s are not overworked. This is true for the indefinite future, not just January through March. We must prioritize quality over quantity; the community does not need an event every Saturday or Sunday, for example.

The division also understands that as of late, the DCC Discord, specifically TMR discussions, have not been conducive to a productive work environment. As such, we will no longer be having TMR discussions after events. Instead, I, or the NOM, will collect statements from all ECs, controllers, any pilots who wish to make themselves heard, and all TMU personnel involved will post the quotes (with minimal to no edits) in a post event report that will include data and statistics. There will be no discussions or commentary for the post event report in a public medium; all comments or questions should be sent directly via private means.

I appreciate all of your support as we work to adapt with the current state of traffic levels and events in the division. Please remember, we are here to support you, and I encourage you to come to me with any concerns. I am always available to assist with event planning or strategy.

Thank you all,
Shane O’Neill VATUSA5

The first 2024 edition of 24 Hours of VATSIM will be held on March 2, 2024. VATUSA will have three legs featured in the event.

Leg 7: CYVR->KDEN departing 2300-0100z (6-8pm ET)
Leg 8: KDFW->KPHX departing 0000-0200z (7-9pm ET)
Leg 9: PHTO->PHLI departing 0000-0200z (7-9pm ET)

Slots will open on February 18 at 1700z.

It's a shame that events often fail to provide pilots with an abundance of options. Typically they will feature only a couple airfields, and aviators will only have a couple city-pairs to consider if they want some stellar ATC service. Well on June 21, you can forget about that problem.

VATUSA will be live from FSExpo in Las Vegas on June 21 from 2300 to 0400z. We are guaranteeing coverage from coast to coast, sea to sea, border to border, however you want to say it. The hardest part about this event: choosing where to fly. You'll only have five hours of guaranteed coverage, so make the most of it. Our recommendation: do something different. Don't take out the 737 for your classic bored milk runs. Load up a plane that you haven't tried in a while. Visit a part of the country that you haven't seen before. Whatever you do, you know you'll have coverage from VATSIM's best.

Be part of VATUSA's signature event and help us...

Light Up America

Prepare your favorite motor-driven flying machine, the US is about to be lit up! The southern portion of the United States will be featured in the Sea to Shining Sea FNO on April 5, 2024. The event time will vary based on geographical location, with ZMA, ZJX, ZTL, ZHU, ZFW, and ZME (essentially everywhere east of New Mexico) online from 2300 to 0300z (7pm to 11pm ET), and ZLA and ZAB online from 0000 to 0400z (5pm to 9pm PT). There will be a ton of airports and airspace to choose from, so make sure to pick your routes early and hit as many spots as you can!

Have you made a VATSIM account, but feel intimidated every time you try to speak on the frequency? Or have you yet to make an account in fear that you haven't got what it takes yet? Then this is the event for you!

At busy airports, or events, it can be a little tricky to learn and get used to the pace. To help overcome that VATSIM created the First Wings events, dedicated to helping pilots get used to the phraseology, the procedures, and what is expected of them.

For this edition, we will be flying in North America. On Saturday 16th December, American controllers are staffing Indianapolis (KIND) and Greer (KGSP), with departures from either airport starting at 2000 UTC and ending at 2200 UTC. Staffing will remain on until 2300z.

To ensure a fun and smooth afternoon for pilots and controllers alike slots are required! Pilots without a booked flight can, and will, be delayed.

Both before and during the event experienced and patient controllers and pilots will be on the VATSIM Discord to help answer any questions you have. You may join the discord through https://community.vatsim.net/. If you do not use Discord, VATSIM Supervisors will be on hand during the events, and can at any time be reached via a .wallop.

First Wings events are now held on a regular basis, with one edition occurring at the beginning of each month. To allow everyone to participate, regardless of their timezone, the location of the event rotates every month, passing through all corners of the World.

Choose your slot here: https://booking.vatsim.net/vatsim-first-wings-united-states-of-america-16-december/bookings