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What is FDXVA?
FDXVA is a virtual airline that recreates FedEx Express cargo operations for flight simulator pilots. Members fly real-world FedEx routes in Microsoft Flight Simulator or X-Plane, using a fleet that mirrors the real carrier's aircraft—from the Cessna Grand Caravan up to the Boeing 777, plus the 737, 757, 767, MD-11, DC-10, A300, A310 and ATR-42/72. Historic types such as the 747, 727, Falcon 20 and DC-8 are also available, along with a substitution list for flying routes with alternative aircraft.
What the experience involves
- Routes: Thousands of domestic and international FedEx flights, searchable by members, with hubs concentrated in North America, Europe and Asia. Memphis (KMEM) serves as headquarters and the main gateway.
- Flight planning: Custom flight plans, fuel and routing tools.
- PIREP feedback: After each flight, members get a report covering on-time status, departure and arrival weather, fuel, payload, landing performance and a financial analysis of the flight.
- Weather tracking: FDXVA describes itself as the first virtual airline to track weather and award all-weather operations certificates, so pilots can progress from visual conditions to CAT IIIc autoland.
- Extras: A Global Visa Program with awards for each country flown, organized tours, and charter and ferry flights for dedicated members.
- Multiplayer: Flying on VATSIM is not required, though the site says most members do, and it notes a close relationship with VATUSA.
Who it suits
FDXVA fits simmers who prefer structured cargo flying over free-form hops: pilots who want a real-world route to follow, a reason to fly heavy freighters, and detailed post-flight scoring. If you mainly enjoy short general-aviation sightseeing or airline passenger schedules, the cargo focus will feel narrow. If you dislike performance analysis and financial PIREPs, the feedback system may be more bookkeeping than fun.
Practical next step
Signing up is free. Before committing, pick one route you'd actually fly—say a Caravan short hop out of Memphis or a 777 long-haul into Asia—and check that your simulator has a suitable aircraft and that the route's airports are in your scenery. That single test tells you quickly whether FDXVA's route library and fleet match how you like to fly. You can start at FDXVA.
Do I need to fly on VATSIM to join FDXVA, or can I fly offline?
No — flying on VATSIM is not required to join FDXVA. The site states plainly that the virtual airline does not require members to fly on VATSIM, while noting that most of its members do. So offline or single-player flying in Microsoft Flight Simulator or X-Plane is a legitimate way to participate, with routes, fleet options and flight feedback available either way.
What that means in practice
- Offline is workable. You can pick real FedEx-style routes, fly the aircraft you prefer, and still submit flights for the on-time, weather, fuel, payload and landing-performance feedback the airline advertises.
- VATSIM is optional, not a gate. The site frames its VATUSA connection as a strength of the community rather than an entry requirement, which suggests members with air traffic control backgrounds are common but not mandatory.
- Trade-off to weigh: offline flying gives you flexibility and no scheduling pressure, but you forgo live controllers and the human interaction that comes with network flying. Network flying adds realism and workload, particularly at busy hubs.
A reasonable next step
If you are new to virtual airlines, start offline: sign up, pick a short route out of Memphis (KMEM) in a smaller type such as the Cessna Caravan or ATR, and see how the ACARS reporting and post-flight feedback feel. Once comfortable, try one VATSIM flight at a quieter airport before attempting a busy hub. If you later want to compare community culture and network expectations, look at VATSIM itself at VATSIM or the broader flight-sim community at Microsoft Flight Simulator.
How do I report a flight and get performance feedback with FDXVA's ACARS?
FDXVA's ACARS is the tool that closes the loop: you fly the route you picked, the client reports the flight, and you get a breakdown of how it went. The site describes this as a custom ACARS that is "easy to use," with feedback covering on-time status, departure and arrival weather, fuel, payload, landing performance, and a full financial analysis of each flight. It also says FDXVA tracks weather and awards all-weather operations certificates — so the report isn't just a logbook entry, it's the basis for ratings and certificates.
The workflow in practice
- Sign up and pick a route. Use the route search to find a real FedEx route (short hop or long-haul), then note the planned aircraft, fuel, and payload.
- Fly the flight in your sim. FDXVA supports Microsoft Flight Simulator and X-Plane; the site says flying on VATSIM is common but not required.
- File through the ACARS. The client transmits the flight rather than you typing numbers in afterward — that's what makes the weather, fuel, and landing data trustworthy enough to score.
- Read the feedback. Check landing performance (touchdown rate, runway use), fuel vs. planned, payload accuracy, and the financial result. Then decide what to tighten on the next leg.
What to watch on your first reports
- Landing performance is usually where new cargo pilots lose points — a firm, on-centerline touchdown in a heavy 777 or MD-11 reads very differently from a light Caravan arrival. Practice the type you'll fly most before chasing a perfect score.
- Fuel and payload are scored against your plan, so brief the flight before you load the aircraft rather than adjusting in the air.
- Weather matters because FDXVA records departure and arrival conditions; flying into low visibility is rewarded through the all-weather certificate path, but only if the report captures it.
Where to go next
If you're weighing whether the reporting burden fits how you like to fly, compare it with other cargo-focused virtual airlines. FedEx is the real-world operator whose routes and fleet FDXVA mirrors, which helps when you want to check whether a route or aircraft type is authentic. For sim-side setup, the official Microsoft Flight Simulator and X-Plane sites cover client compatibility and installation questions.
Decision criterion: if you want detailed post-flight analytics and certificate progression, FDXVA's ACARS is the reason to join; if you'd rather fly without filing, a casual group is a better fit. Start with one short domestic leg in a 737 or ATR to learn the feedback format before attempting a long-haul 777 rotation.
Which aircraft can I fly in FDXVA, including historic and substitute options?
FDXVA lets you fly the FedEx-style fleet plus historic aircraft and substitutions, so you can start in a small turboprop and work up to long-haul widebodies. According to the site's fleet section, the main lineup includes:
- Boeing: 737, 757, 767, 777
- McDonnell Douglas: MD-11, DC-10
- Airbus: A300, A310
- Regional/turboprop: ATR-42/72
- Light cargo: Cessna Grand Caravan
Historic and substitute options
FDXVA also offers historic aircraft: the Boeing 747, Boeing 727, Dassault Falcon 20 and Douglas DC-8. The site says there is also an "extensive substitution list," though it does not spell out which aircraft substitute for which on the page.
How to choose
- New to virtual cargo: start with the Caravan or ATR for short hops, then move to the 737 or 757.
- Medium/long-haul: the 767, MD-11, DC-10, A300/A310 and 777 cover heavier routes.
- Nostalgia or variety: the 747, 727, Falcon 20 and DC-8, or a substitution if your simulator lacks a specific type.
A practical next step is to pick a route first, then check whether your simulator has the listed aircraft or a substitute before committing. For route ideas and community context, see FDXVA.
How does the FDXVA Global Visa Program work and how do I collect country awards?
The Global Visa Program is FDXVA's country-based award system: each country you fly into earns an award, and the goal is to collect them all. It is listed on FDXVA as a new feature for 2026, so treat it as a long-term collection goal rather than a one-flight achievement.
How it fits into a flight
- Sign up for a free account.
- Use the route search to find a real FedEx route that lands in a country you haven't visited yet.
- Fly the route and file it through the custom ACARS.
- The flight is logged with on-time status, weather, fuel, payload and landing performance, and the country is credited toward your visa collection.
Practical way to collect awards
- Plan around hubs, not single flights. FDXVA's hubs in Asia, North America and Europe make it possible to chain several new countries in one session instead of flying one long-haul per award.
- Use the fleet as a difficulty dial. Short regional legs in the ATR or Caravan suit nearby countries; the 777 or MD-11 suit intercontinental runs. The substitution list helps when you don't own a specific type.
- Check the route search before committing. Thousands of routes exist, but not every country is served directly — some will need a multi-leg connection through a hub.
- Watch the weather bonus. FDXVA tracks weather and awards all-weather operations certificates, so flying in poor conditions can advance more than one goal at once.
If your goal is country coverage rather than aircraft variety, prioritize breadth: pick the region with the most unvisited countries and work through it hub by hub. VATSIM membership is not required, though many members fly online — useful if you want controllers at unfamiliar international airports.
What are FDXVA Tours and how do I start one?
FDXVA Tours are organized flying adventures that group real FedEx-style cargo routes into themed journeys across the globe. Rather than choosing routes one at a time, you pick a tour and work through its legs, which gives your flying a clear structure and a sense of progress. The site lists Tours under its "New in 2026" section alongside a Global Visa Program that awards countries you fly to, so the two features work well together for pilots who like collecting milestones.
How to start
- Create a free account through the site's sign-up flow at FDXVA.
- Open the Tours section and read a tour's route list before committing, checking leg lengths and aircraft types against what you fly in Microsoft Flight Simulator or X-Plane.
- Use the route search tools to pull up the specific FedEx route for each leg.
- Fly the leg and file it through FDXVA's custom ACARS, which returns feedback on timing, weather, fuel, payload and landing performance.
Who tours suit
Tours fit pilots who want direction without planning every flight from scratch, and who enjoy long arcs rather than one-off hops. If you prefer short, spontaneous sessions, the broader route catalog and charter or ferry flights (the site mentions these for dedicated members) may be a better entry point. A practical first step: pick a tour whose legs match aircraft you already fly well, such as the 737 or ATR, before moving to long-haul 777 segments.
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