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Flights

This Program Is New! 

We re-designed the WINGS program in June 2026. Since the original release of the WINGS program in 2012, several of the original instrument approaches used had been decommissioned, and the program's original reliance on non-GPS navigation only was becoming dated. This version of the program incorporates modern navigation capabilities from the outset. You will be one of the first students going through the new program. If you encounter any typos, incorrect information, unclear guidance, or other areas for improvement, please email any feedback to [email protected].

Already Started?

We recently unveiled a completely re-written Wings Over New England program on July 6, 2026. The new flights take advantage of modern equipment navigation and techniques, while introducing new elements to the program like CAT II/III approaches, sidestep procedures, and more detail around airliner operations. 

  • All previous WINGS ratings have been retained. If you wish to re-do one or more flights, you're welcome to do so. 
  • If you are a WINGS graduate, we invite you to fly the new WINGS IFR 17. This new flight introduces concepts you won't have seen in the previous edition of the program. 
  • If you're partway through the VFR portion of the WINGS program, continue on. Changes made to the VFR portion are mostly editorial in nature.
  • If you're partway through the IFR portion of the WINGS program, we recommend re-starting at WINGS IFR 1, as the procedures and structure of the flights have changed. 

Pre-Flight Checks

Our three-part Pre-Flight Checks series walks pilots through everything needed to get connected to VATSIM and start flying. From making an account, configuring your simulator, choosing a callsign, filing a flight plan, and more, this precursor to the WINGS series will help you get the most out of your online ATC experience.

Especially if you're new to our community, we recommend completing the Pre-Flight Checks before starting out on the 30 WINGS flights. 

Pre-Flight 1 and Pre-Flight 2 can be completed any time; Pre-Flight 3 requires a controller to be online (at any airport in Boston ARTCC airspace).

When you're ready, start with Pre-Flight 1, which walks you through our community's resources. You'll then be directed through Part 2 (Simulator Setup) and Part 3 (Getting Connected). By the end of the three-part series, you'll be connected to the network and have spoken to with BVA controller.

When you have completed the three-part Pre-Flight Checks series, you're ready to begin the WINGS program with WINGS VFR 1.

To get flying, click the name of a flight in the table to view the training materials associated with the flight.

VFR Flights
 
Flight Name Airport(s) Summary
VFR 1 The Traffic Pattern KACK

Complete a minimum of three laps of the VFR traffic pattern in a small, non-jet, general aviation aircraft like a Cessna 172 or Piper Cherokee. Before flying, ensure you have the airport diagram available and that the weather is suitable for a VFR flight.

VFR 2 VFR Navigation and
Flight Following 		KACK → KOQU In this second WINGS VFR flight, it's time to fly somewhere! You will put the skills learned in the previous flight about the traffic pattern to work on a VFR flight from Nantucket Airport (KACK) to the Quonset State Airport (KOQU). In the process, you will learn about obtaining Flight Following, selecting an appropriate VFR cruise altitude for your direction of flight, and will also brush up on your traffic pattern knowledge.
VFR 3 Entering Class B Airspace KOQU → KBOS This VFR flight will take you from Quonset State Airport (KOQU) to Boston Airport (KBOS). The key difference between this and the previous rating is that you will not be receiving Flight Following while en-route. Air traffic control will provide services at KOQU and KBOS, but nothing in between. Therefore, you'll learn about the different types of airspaces, what the requirements to enter them are, and when you are required to talk to ATC.
VFR 4 Exiting Class B Airspace KBOS → KASH Travel from Boston Airport (KBOS) to Nashua Airport (KASH) without Flight Following, much like WINGS VFR 3. The last flight focused on entry to the Class B airspace; in this one, you'll exit the airspace. Overall, this flight serves as an excellent review of the material covered thus far in Wings Over New England.
VFR 5 The Cross Country Flight KASH One of the key stages on the journey towards a private pilot’s license a 'cross country' flight, designed to help pilots practice enroute VFR navigation. In this rating, you will depart Nashua Airport (KASH) and fly to two other airports of your choosing, provided that one is controlled and the other is untowered. You’ll be responsible for conducting most of the flight planning on your own to ensure that you fully grasp necessary VFR concepts prior to beginning the WINGS IFR series. 
VFR 6 Boston Class B Helicopter Routes KASH → KBOS

The final Wings Over New England VFR flight takes you from Nashua Airport (KASH) back to Boston Airport (KBOS) using a published helicopter route to transition into the Class B airspace. Contrary to their name, helicopter routes at Boston can also be used by fixed-wing aircraft as a means of navigating complicated and busy Class B airspaces.

 
IFR Flights    
 
Flight Name Airports(s) Summary
IFR 1 Introduction to IFR KBOS

In this introduction to Instrument Flight Rules (IFR), you will depart and arrive at Boston Airport (KBOS) using a Standard Instrument Departure (SID) and an Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach. The focus of this rating is on proper compliance with the LOGAN# departure procedure, listening and responding to ATC instructions, and flying the ILS approach successfully.

IFR 2 VOR Navigation KBOS → KPVD The second IFR rating is a short hop from Boston Airport (KBOS) to Providence Airport (KPVD). It expands on the concepts from IFR 1 and introduces VOR navigation and TEC routes. Additionally, you'll fly an ILS approach at KPVD to further hone your instrument approach skills.
IFR 3 Airways KPVD → KMVY This flight will take you from Providence Airport (KPVD) to Martha's Vineyard Airport (KMVY) using the published TEC route, which includes the V167 airway. Weather permitting, you will receive a visual approach at KMVY.
IFR 4 Airway and TEC Route Review KMVY → KALB This flight reviews the concepts of VOR navigation, TEC routes, and IFR flight that have been introduced in the previous IFR ratings. It also introduces the modern navigation concept called Area Navigation, or RNAV. You will be responsible for identifying and flying the appropriate TEC route from Martha's Vineyard Airport (KMVY) to Albany Airport (KALB) and flying it using either VOR navigation or modern methods.
IFR 5 Full Approaches and
Untowered Airports 		KALB → KEEN IFR 5 takes you from Albany Airport (KALB) to Dillant-Hopkins Airport (KEEN) and introduces the concepts of full approaches and untowered airport operations. Unlike previous ratings where ATC has done most of the work to line you up with the runway, in this flight you will navigate from the filed route to the final approach course without receiving vectors from ATC. This also is the first flight in the IFR series that visits an untowered airport and overall is significantly more complex than any previous rating, so read the briefing material thoroughly before flying!
IFR 6

Non-Precision Approaches

KEEN → KHFD This flight introduces you to the proper procedures for departing IFR from an untowered airport and for flying non-precision approaches. You will fly the TEC route between Dillant-Hopkins Airport (KEEN) and Hartford Airport (KHFD) and receive vectors for the LDA Runway 2 Approach at KHFD.
IFR 7 Full ILS Approaches Without Course Reversals KHFD → KLCI This flight takes you from Hartford Airport (KHFD) to Laconia Airport (KLCI) for another full ILS approach, this time without flying a procedure turn or course reversal. Little new information is covered in this rating. Instead, you'll reinforce the multitude of skills taught in WINGS IFR 5 and 6. Since you survived the onslaught of new material in the past two IFR ratings, you’ll find that this rating won’t be quite as daunting.
IFR 8 Obstacle Departure Procedures and RNAV Approaches KLCI → KAUG We'll introduce published obstacle departure procedures (ODPs) as a way of safely navigating away from untowered airports. At KAUG, you will fly your first RNAV approach.
IFR 9 Circling Approaches KAUG → KAFN You'll depart Augusta State Airport (KAUG) and fly to either Jaffrey Airfield Silver Ranch (KAFN) or Worcester (KORH), and circle to land...a new twist on the straight-in approaches we've looked at thus far.
IFR 10 CDFA KAFN → KEWB You'll fly a non-precision approach using the CDFA technique. If you plan to depart from an untowered airport, you'll get more practice with departure procedures and enroute navigation. 
IFR 11 Missed Approach and Hold Entry KEWB → KBED This flight focuses on FAA-recommended hold procedures and offers additional practice flying approaches in bad weather. It will take you from New Bedford (KEWB) to Bedford Airport (KBED); there is no published TEC route, so you will also gain experience researching and selecting an appropriate route.
IFR 12 The IFR Checkride KBED → KPWM One of the most challenging flights in the program, WINGS IFR 12 focuses on some lesser used, but still important IFR techniques while providing a great review of the content we've discussed thus far. It will take you from Bedford Airport (KBED) to Plymouth Airport (KPYM) and then on to Portland Airport (KPWM) as you learn more about airborne IFR clearances, hold entries, and missed approaches.
IFR 13 The Standard Terminal Arrival Route (STAR) KPWM → KBDL This rating introduces IFR pilots to Standard Terminal Arrival Routes (STARs). While flying from Portland Airport (KPWM) to Bradley (KBDL), you'll fly the STELA# arrival. Expect to receive vectors for an ILS or visual approach. Enjoy radar vectors while they last: this is one of the last ratings in the program where you'll get vectors to final!
IFR 14 RNAV Approaches, LPV, and the FMC KBDL → KBTV An introduction to the modern navigational capabilities provided by a Flight Management Computer (FMC), typically found in modern, jet aircraft. While flying from Bradley Airport (KBDL) to Burlington Airport (KBTV), you will learn more about flying more complex aircraft while flying RNAV airways and approaches. 
IFR 15 High-Altitude Airways and the RNP Approach KBTV → KSYR This flight from Burlington (KBTV) to Syracuse (KSYR) offers an opportunity for high airway routing and introduces the concepts associated with the flight level (FL) and when to set the altimeter to 29.92. The flight also introduces the Required Navigation Performance (RNP) approach.
IFR 16 RNAV Arrivals KSYR → KBOS This flight from Syracuse Airport (KSYR) to Boston Airport (KBOS) introduces the RNAV arrival, which includes “descend via” clearances and runway transitions. 
IFR 17 Test Flight KBOS

You're stepping into the shoes of an airline pilot who's on reserve. You've been called to the airport to flight test the pressurization system on an airliner that's had some recent maintenance work done. Along the way, we'll cover some of the lesser-known but important concepts that apply mostly to airline operations.

IFR 18 RNAV Missed Approaches KBOS → KRUT WINGS IFR 18 takes you from Boston Airport (KBOS) to Rutland Airport (KRUT) to reinforce the RNAV departure and CPDLC concepts discussed in the last flight. The approach at KRUT is a full RNAV approach with a hold-in-lieu of procedure turn, as well as a missed approach with an RNAV hold. This flight also provides more practice flying RNAV holds using the FMC.
IFR 19 Introduction to RNAV Terminal Arrival Areas (TAA) KRUT → KPQI This flight from Rutland Airport (KRUT) to Presque Isle Airport (KPQI) gives you the chance to fly a longer route at high altitudes. At KPQI, ATC will issue a clearance for an RNAV approach using procedures for a Terminal Arrival Area (TAA).
IFR 20 Into the Mountains KPQI → KSLK

You'll contend with the challenge of obstacles and terrain. But, armed as you are with your knowledge of ODPs and RNAV approaches, you'll be ready to tackle this one without too much trouble. Serving as a review of some of the previous materials we've covered and a reminder of the advantages RNAV has to offer, enjoy the views while you fly WINGS IFR 20! 

IFR 21 Airspace and Arrivals KSLK → KMHT This flight offers a review of effective navigation planning. Take terrain, special use airspace, STARs, and ODPs into account as you plan an effective route between Adirondack Regional Airport (KSLK) and Manchester (KMHT). After the full approaches and short mountain runways, the vectors-to-final (or RNAV transition) approach at KMHT will be a nice change from the challenges of the past few flights!
IFR 22 Weather, Deviations, and Emergency Management KMHT → KBHB Flying is about much more than just operating the controls of an aircraft. Even with the best pre-flight planning, there is no substitute for experience when facing unexpected scenarios in the air. In IFR 22, while flying from Bradley Airport (KBDL) to Bar Harbor Airport (KBHB), you'll use your home simulator to gain valuable experience for handling unexpected scenarios that could impact any VFR or IFR flight. We'll also discuss a new type of approach that hasn't yet been mentioned in WINGS: the contact approach.
IFR 23 Circle to Land KBHB → KOWD The focus of WINGS IFR 23 is using creative solutions when faced with challenging conditions. We've looked at several of the available options, including circling approaches (IFR 9) and contact approaches (IFR 22) in past flights. Now, we'll apply those concepts to overcome an airport that is more difficult than it looks.
IFR 24 Charted Visual Flight Procedures KOWD → KACK Charted Visual Flight Procedures (CVFPs) are the focus on this final WINGS flight. You will travel from Norwood Airport (KOWD) to Nantucket Airport (KACK) and fly either of the CVFPs at KACK: the Great Point Visual Runway 24 Approach or the Tuckernuck Visual Runway 6 Approach. In either case, you'll be required to use a mix of visual and instrument references.

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We are a free, immersive, and realistic air traffic control community for pilots and aviation enthusiasts. We provide air traffic control within the Boston ARTCC on VATSIM. We are not affiliated with the FAA, or the real-world Boston Center facility.

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