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.

Screenshot of a shared aircraft's detail page on Tailstrike

Works with

Navigraph

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 the community, starting from the 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. Flying is always free.

How It Works

Lease an aircraft

Lease any Tailstrike registration, load into your sim, and depart from the current airport.

Fly and make an impact

Your flight is logged publicly and the aircraft location and state updates automatically.

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.

Flying on Tailstrike is free forever. Supporters keep Tailstrike alive and get perks that shape the world for every pilot.

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.

Lived-in aircraft

Every aircraft keeps its location, fuel, panel state, and history, so the next pilot picks it up exactly where you left it.

Intelligent Dispatch

Get hyper-realistic assignments based on current events, real-world data, online ATC, and network activity.

Aircraft patronage

Show your support and add a one-of-one shared aircraft to your personal hangar for everyone to see. Every pilot who flies it sees your name.

Missions and events

Participate in community missions and organized events with shared aircraft, or fly your own. Every flight counts.

Latest news

August 13, 2026

Everything in Tailstrike at launch

Tailstrike is out of beta. Here is everything the persistent shared world does at launch, and what's new.

May 11, 2026

We're Going to FlightSimExpo 2026

Tailstrike is heading to FlightSimExpo 2026 in Saint Paul. Come find us at Booth 526.

April 8, 2026

Cessna World Tour - Tailstrike Community Challenge

Bigger and better, with a twist!

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.”

Free forever. Supporters enrich the world.

Flying on Tailstrike is free forever. Supporters keep Tailstrike alive and get world-shaping perks that enhance the network for every pilot.

Tailstrike

Flying on Tailstrike is free, with no restrictions.

Join and fly, totally free.

Lease and fly any aircraft in the shared world

Permanent, public flight logs and telemetry

Missions and community events

Public pilot profile and hangar

15 Intelligent Dispatch credits to try it out

Tailstrike Supporter

Shape the shared world. Enjoy exclusive perks.

$7$5 / monthor $50 / year · Founder rate, locked forever

Everything in free, plus:

Add permanent aircraft to the shared world

Intelligent Dispatch flight assignments available with every lease

Patron an aircraft. Your first tail is included.

Your Twitch livestream promoted in your hangar

Supporter status on your profile and Discord

Cancel anytime.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need VATSIM to fly on Tailstrike?: No. The Tailstrike desktop plugin tracks flights in your simulator directly, including offline single-player flying. VATSIM is one way to fly: connecting to it adds live air traffic control and community events, and VATSIM flights are tracked through network data.

Which simulators are supported?: MSFS 2024, MSFS 2020, X-Plane 12, X-Plane 11, Prepar3D, and FSX.

What does it mean to lease an aircraft?: When you lease an aircraft, you have exclusive control of that specific tailnumber. It is attached to the aircraft you fly in your simulator. When the lease is complete, the aircraft becomes available again.

Do I need to stay connected for the whole flight?: Yes. Stay connected through the plugin or VATSIM for the duration of the flight so it can be tracked and verified. Short disconnects are fine: there is a grace window of roughly thirty minutes before an active flight is dropped.

Does the aircraft update automatically when I land?: Yes. When you land, Tailstrike verifies the flight has ended, completes your lease, and updates the aircraft's position, fuel, and status for the next pilot.

Can I land at any airport?: You can land at any current real-world airport that can accommodate your aircraft's size, so the next pilot can depart without issue. Diversions are allowed.

What happens if I do not land at a valid airport?: Flights that drop tracking or end somewhere the aircraft cannot operate from are terminated, and the aircraft is reset to its last valid location.

Can I fly VFR or without a flight plan?: Yes. Fly VFR in any GA aircraft with no flight plan required. For airliners on VATSIM, filing a flight plan is strongly recommended for a smooth experience with ATC.

Why do I have to fly at 1x speed?: Tailstrike is a realistic shared world of aircraft and flights. That only works if everyone flies in real time, keeping the world consistent and fair for all pilots.

How much does Tailstrike cost?: Flying on Tailstrike is free forever. Supporters keep Tailstrike alive and get world-shaping perks that enhance the network for every pilot: add permanent aircraft to the world, patron an aircraft with your name on it, and more.

Does Tailstrike have helicopters?: Yes. Helicopters and bush planes are supported. Lease one and fly it like any other aircraft on the network.

Stay updated

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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.

Developers

Build with Tailstrike

Building an app or developing an aircraft? From the Tailstrike API to persistent aircraft data, we'd love to hear what you're building — reach out and let's talk.