The Flight Sim Network ForAircraft That Exist.

Tailstrike is a virtual network of real aircraft registrations, each with its own location and status in the sim world. Every flight moves the aircraft, and the next pilot picks up where you left off.

Every flight matters.

On Tailstrike, flights are part of something bigger than your personal logbook. Flying has downstream effects on other pilots.

Open-ended realism.

Fly real-world aircraft registrations, shared by all pilots, starting from their current location and ending wherever your journey takes you.

Social and public.

Tailstrike adds a new layer of sim depth and social interaction, where flights are public, aircraft have stories, and pilots build legacies.

Jump right in.

Lease and fly any aircraft for free. Get the Tailstrike plugin or fly on VATSIM. Compatible with other networks and tools.

How It Works

Lease an aircraft

Browse the Tailstrike app, lease any shared aircraft, load into your sim at its current airport, and take off.

Fly and make an impact

Your flight is logged publicly and the aircraft location updates automatically when you land.

Realism Rules

Depart the aircraft's current location

Land at any viable real-world airport

Fly at normal sim speed

Lease and fly any aircraft, for free.

No subscription, no credits. Just sign in and fly how you want, without restrictions.

One shared world
connecting pilots and planes.
Tailstrike creates new reasons to fly, and new ways to fly together. Join an interactive world of pilots sharing persistent aircraft.

Real aircraft

Fly specific real-world aircraft registrations: airliners, freighters, military, and general aviation.

Detailed flight records

Every aircraft keeps a record of where it's been and how it got there, including parking and pilot notes.

Community events

Join other pilots flying in organized events and participating in unique challenges with shared aircraft.

What pilots are saying

“I’ve always tried to keep continuity in my virtual flying. Tailstrike adds a whole new layer to that. With aircraft locations saved between flights, I now plan departures and arrivals with future routes in mind, treating each leg as part of a larger, ongoing journey. And not built just for myself, but to be shared with the community."

“I love how Tailstrike brings authenticity and freedom together. It lets me contribute to an aircraft’s evolving virtual story while keeping a detailed log of my own flights, without the rules of a virtual airline. Every aircraft feels alive, every flight matters, and the experience captures exactly what I enjoy about aviation.”

“Tailstrike really fits my simming style, allowing me to enjoy many different types of planes and fly many new airports while sharing the experience with a likeminded community. It works great alongside my virtual airlines - I can complete routes/achievements for my VA using Tailstrike planes. The events are unique because it feels like everyone is working together for a goal instead of competing.”

Frequently asked questions

What simulators does Tailstrike support?: Tailstrike supports X-Plane and Microsoft Flight Simulator via the Tailstrike plugin. The plugin is not required for pilots performing Tailstrike flights on VATSIM.

What does it mean to lease an aircraft on Tailstrike?: A lease grants the pilot exclusive access to perform a flight with that specific aircraft. It remains unavailable to other pilots until your lease ends.

How does Tailstrike track my flight?: Tailstrike tracks your flight automatically via the Tailstrike plugin or through VATSIM public flight data. Upon landing, your lease is completed and the aircraft position updates automatically.

Can I land at any airport?: You can land at any current real-world airport able to accomodate the aircraft size. This ensures the next pilot can depart without issue. Diversions are allowed.

What happens if I do not land at a valid airport?: Flights that end prematurely or do not land at a valid airport will terminate and the aircraft will be reset to its last location.

Can I fly VFR?: Yes, you can fly VFR, no flight plan required. There are also no inherent restrictions on callsigns or routes, though realism is encouraged.

Why do I have to fly at 1x speed?: The concept of Tailstrike is to create a realistic shared world of aircraft and flights. This is only possible if all users are flying in real-time at 1x speed, ensuring consistency and fairness for all pilots.

Does Tailstrike have helicopters?: Helicopters are planned to be included in the full release of Tailstrike coming later this year.

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About Us

Tailstrike is developed and operated by long-time sim pilots, aviation nerds, and engineers who wanted to create a new layer of realism and interactivity.

Our goal is simple: make your time in the cockpit part of something bigger - not just another solo session. On Tailstrike, every flight matters.