Flight Simulation Meets a Good Cause

Every year, during the first week of November, a very special event takes place on the VATSIM network: WorldFlight. For one full week, teams fly their fully equipped home cockpits nonstop around the world to raise money for charity. It's not just the dedicated flight simulation teams who take part – countless virtual pilots join some of the flights online, and many more follow the action via livestreams. 

Over the past 22 years, the WorldFlight community has raised more than $1,000,000 for good causes around the globe. Multiple teams fly a variety of aircraft such as Boeing 737 and 747 or Airbus A320 and A330. Their journey takes seven days, covering almost 40,000 nautical miles and visiting 45 airports along the way. Everything is operated in real time, just like a real airline – with realistic flight schedules, crew changes, and short turnaround times for preparation between flights.

One such team isTeam JeeHell, which is participating for the fourth year in a row. Team JeeHell consists of five pilots operating four Airbus A320 cockpits spread across two continents – one in the United States and three in Germany. The pilots share duties around the clock, experiencing an intense week of flying, planning, communicating, and cheering each other on. Each cockpit setup is a little different, but they all share the same foundation: a love of flying and the joy of doing it together.

Anyone who has flown with others in a simulator knows how rewarding it can be – whether in a home cockpit, on VATSIM, or through a shared cockpit connection. The mix of technology, teamwork, and pure enthusiasm for aviation creates truly special moments. And when all that effort also supports a charitable cause, it becomes even more meaningful.

WorldFlight is a great example of what's possible when flight simulation and community come together. Maybe it inspires you to gather some friends or fellow simmers, plan your own group flights, or even host a small event – whether for charity or simply for the joy of flying together.

Because in the end, that's what it's all about: taking off together, having fun, and making a difference.