About findsim.flights

A tool built by a VATSIM pilot who wanted a simple way to find realistic flights with live ATC coverage—without manually filtering through dozens of options.

How It Started

I started building this app because I wanted a simple way to query a database of real-world flights based on current ATC coverage and future ATC bookings. Some existing tools existed, but I still had to mentally filter out all the bad options—flights with no ATC, poor timing, or controllers about to go offline.

With findsim.flights, I tried to add even the smallest details to the scoring system. Things like:

  • •Controller experience: How experienced is the ATC? Higher ratings (C1, C2, C3) get better scores.
  • •Booking proximity: If an ATC booking is near, it's better than nothing—there's a chance they might start early.
  • •Controller fatigue: How long has the controller been online? The system applies a penalty for the chance they might go offline soon.
  • •Flight timing: Does your flight duration align with ATC availability? No point starting a 6-hour flight if ATC is leaving in 2 hours.

As I added more and more rules, the tool became stronger and stronger. What started as a CLI tool for personal use has evolved into a cloud application that helps pilots find the best VATSIM flights in seconds.

Technical Evolution

CLI Tool

Started as a command-line interface for personal use, querying flight databases locally.

Web Application

Evolved into a full web app with real-time data streaming and interactive results.

Public API (Coming)

Planning to release a public API for developers to integrate flight discovery into their tools.

The Scoring System

Every flight is scored based on dozens of factors. Here are some of the key components:

ATC Quality

Controller ratings, position coverage (Tower, Approach, Center), and online duration all factor into the score.

Timing Analysis

Flight duration vs. ATC availability, booking proximity, and estimated time until controller goes offline.

Real-World Data

Based on actual airline schedules, aircraft types, and historical flight patterns for maximum realism.

Personal Preferences

Your airport biases, installed scenery, and search preferences are factored into every result.

Design Philosophy

No More Manual Filtering

You shouldn't have to search Google, FlightAware, and Flightradar24 to find a realistic flight. One search should give you everything you need.

Transparency First

The discovery process streams real-time JSON traces so you can see exactly how flights are scored and why certain options are excluded.

Details Matter

Every small detail—from controller fatigue to booking proximity—is considered. The goal is to surface flights that will actually be enjoyable to fly.