SkyOps FAQ

What is SkyOps?

Skyops is a mission based "sit and go" system. All you need to do is tune your radio to 122.11 and ask for a mission! Think of SkyOps as a big company with multiple divisions: Search and Rescue, VIP charters, Cargo... etc. Welcome to the company!

What airport should I start from?

The airport you start from can determine the type of missions you'll get in certain situations.  If you're off the coast of Florida in the summer-time and request a search and rescue mission, you're likely to get a water rescue. If you're in the middle of the Montana wilderness in the winter, you might get a missing snowmobiler. 

You can fly from any airport, anywhere in the world.

What kind of missions can I fly?

Right now there are four types of missions supported.  (1) Search and Rescue (applicable if you're in a helicopter),  (2) Search Only (applicable if you're in a fixed-wing airplane), (3) VIP (any aircraft), and (4) Cargo (any aircraft).  The dispatcher will automatically assign you a mission appropriate for your aircraft if you do not specify, but will start with our most important mission, Search and Rescue (See below to understand how it knows what kind of aircraft you're flying). 

How do I fly a mission?

1) Get your crew --  Go to settings, intercom, and select a "SkyOps" crew. There are a few to choose from, and we'll be adding lots more.

2) Make sure you've mapped a button as your "Intercom" PTT.

3) Pick up your mission by tuning your radio to 122.11 - This is the SkyOps Operations Dispatcher. Tell them you'd like to pick up a new mission (You can be more specific if you'd like. eg. "Id like to pick up a cargo mission within 100 miles".  [Note: For now, this can take up to 30 seconds!! Be patient!].   Note that tuning 122.11 requires you to set your COM radios for 8.33khz spacing.

4) Note the information given. For Search and Rescue (Heading, distance, lat/lon, etc.) and program your GPS with those target coordinates. Note that this is still "search" in search and rescue -- those coordinates will get you within about 3 miles of the incident site. From there, you're on your own. For other missions, they will give you the destination airport. You get to figure out how you get there!

5) For Search and Rescue. If applicable, you should also note the hospital you are going to if transport is necessary. Have google maps handy, this may not be on Navigraph or your EFB. (However, on MSFS 24, most helipads are in the EFB).

6) Wait for your crew to board. They will do this automatically.

7) Fly the mission. If Search and Rescue, ;ook for any signs of the incident site by looking for smoke, flares, etc.

8) If Search and Rescue, once you spot the incident site, you'll want to notify dispatch.

If you're doing just search, you still need to do two things to complete your mission.. (1) Radio back the exact lat/lon coordinates of the incident site to the SkyOps dispatcher, or let them know to use your GPS position, and (2) Land the plane, then radio dispatch and tell them you're done. 

Your mission is now complete!

However, if you're equipped for rescue... (e.g. you're in a Helo)

Don't land -- and don't tell dispatch you're done. You've found the site, but now you've got work to do!!!!!!!

9) Decide what kind of rescue this situation requires. You can land right at the site, land a short distance and ask your crew to hike in, or you can do a repelling insertion. Just tell your crew what you'll be doing, and what you're expecting from them. (Use that Intercom PTT button to talk to them).

10) Tell your team when they are safe to exit the aircraft. They will start their search

11) If they are taking a long time, you can ask them for an update.

12) Once they return to the helicopter, head off to the hospital.

13) When you land at the hospital, advise your crew that they can unload the patient. 

14) Remember to keep Ops updated of everything thats happening!

15) Once finished, return to base (any airport) and report back to the SkyOps dispatcher that your mission is complete!

What should be callsign be?

THIS IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT!!!!!!!

If you're flying a helicopter, you MUST use a callsign in the SayIntentions app that clearly denotes you are in a Helicopter (otherwise you will be assigned a mission that's for airplanes). You can use the callsign Helicopter, Medevac, Medivac, Lifeflight, Life-Flight, or Rescue.

Does this integrate with Career Mode on MSFS, Neofly, OnAir, etc.?

Not yet. Integration with MSFS 2024 career mode is not currently possible. We are considering integrating with other add-ons.

Will there be objects injected at the scene and/or the hospital helipad?

Yes, a limited number of objects are available for injection at both the incident site and the hospital helipad. However, we are working very hard to rapidly expand the list of available objects. Note that the AI has full authority to design the incident site and the hospital scene as it sees fit, based on the objects available.

Again, this is a work in progress, but a very high priority for us.

I'm flying a helicopter and it wont let me land at the scene!

You most likely don't have your callsign set up correctly. In the app, click on the settings cog, then identity. In that field, use the previously mentioned terms in the aircraft model (eg, Helicopter). You'll have to start a new mission. Remember, in the identity window, if you mention helicopter or the above mentioned terms, it will always think you are a helicopter!

Do I have to stay tune to 122.11 the entire mission?

Nope! Once you get your mission, your dispatcher waits for your updates so he can log them. Just remember to go check in with him every once in a while, its lonely at the dispatch center. Your mission stays active until you complete it, and/or press "new flight" 

Can I specify specific mission details?

Absolutely! Skyops will do it's best to accommodate your requests, as long as they are realistic. A real good example is if you want to fly a Cargo mission, you can ask for missions within a certain distance, or even specify the specific airport! 

Can I fly missions with friends?

Yes. with an understanding that this is very alpha right now. If you and your friend want to fly a mission together, follow these steps!

1. All participants must tune one of their radios to 124.24 and be within 50 miles of the primary pilot (the one that will pick up the mission)
2. Primary pilot tunes his other radio (eg. com 2) to 122.11 and picks up the mission. 
3. The other pilots are now added to the mission automatically.
4. Fly the mission. As you approach the site, coordinate which one of you will handle the deployment and rescue. Only one person should take that role.
5. Communication on 124.24 is pilot to pilot, and you can coordinate there! There is a bit of a delay, if you want faster communication or to free up a radio channel, utilize the voice channels in the SayIntentions.ai discord. Once a mission is generated, you do not have to stay on 124.24.

*IMPORTANT! ALWAYS PRESS NEW FLIGHT AFTER EACH MISSION!*