FlightLine FAQ (Talking to ATC using standard Text Messaging or WhatsApp)

Q: What is FlightLine?

A: FlightLine allows you to communicate with an ATC dispatcher using standard text messaging or WhatsApp.

Q: Does it support text messaging?

A: For customers in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, you will communicate with SkyOps using standard SMS text messaging.

Q: Does it support WhatsApp Messenger?

A: Customers outside of North America will use WhatsApp Messenger to communicate with FlightLine, instead.

Q: I'm using WhatsApp Messenger, what do I need to do before I can register my phone number?

If you use WhatsApp, this step cannot be skipped!!!!!!!!

A: Open your WhatsApp Messenger app on your device and send a text-message to +1-949-484-0004 (This is the SkyOps dispatch phone number). Just say hello.

(WhatsApp will not allow us to communicate with your mobile device until you send this message).

Q: How do I link my mobile number?

• Go to your pilot portal
• Scroll down to "FlightLine" Mobile Messaging
• Click "Add Mobile Number"
• Enter your phone number, including +, country-code, etc., and click "Send Validation Code" - Do not use spaces, dashes and other characters other as + and the number.
  
• Enter the 6-digit code that was sent to your device, and click "Validate".

That's it. You can now text the SkyOps dispatcher!

Q: What is the phone number for the FlightLine Dispatcher?

A: +1-949-484-0004 (This is a U.S. phone number).

Q: Can I call the number?

A: No. Only texting/WhatsApp is supported.

Q: Does it use AI?

A: Yes!! We have a full AI "agent" acting as the flight dispatcher.

Q: Who am I talking to?

A: His name is Greg. He's very nice.

Q: Does SayIntentions.AI need to be running, along with the flight simulator?

A: No. In fact, FlightLine will work even if your computer is turned off. This gives you the luxury of doing your flight planning and obtaining your pre-departure clearance before you even get into the cockpit.

Q: How do I request an IFR Clearance?

Make sure you've entered your SimBrief username in the app settings.

Make sure you've filed your IFR flight plan on SimBrief.

Send a text message to +1-949-484-0004 that says:  "<callsign>, IFR to <destination_icao>"

Example: "Delta 1221, IFR to Atlanta"

Q: How do I request a VFR Clearance?

Simply request it the same way you would over the radio. You must provide your departure airport, your callsign, your aircraft type, and your intention.

Example: "Skyhawk N12345 VFR from KTRK to KPSP at 5500, request flight following."

Q: How do I use it as a SkyOps on-call "Pager"? 

A: You can provide the dispatcher with the relevant details of your on-call status by providing your airport, how long you're available to be on-call, and what mission types you're interestedin.

Example:  "Good morning. Reporting available for SkyOps SAR missions out of KTRK for the next 30 minutes".

Once confirmed, you'll receive a text at a random time in the next 30 minutes for a mission that meets your criteria.

Q: How do I get the ATIS information for an airport?

A: Just ask!!  Example:  "Request ATIS for KSNA"

Q: What else can it do?

A: Think of it as a general directory of aviation information, just like what a Flight Service Station might provide. For example,  "Can you tell me the active runways at JFK?"... or... "Is KSLC currently operating under IMC?"

Q: Isn't this an immersion breaker? 

A: No, in fact real world pilots almost never pick up a pre-departure clearance over the radio.  In real life, commercial pilots would pick up their clearance via CPDLC, and GA pilots will often choose to use their phone. This minimizes errors when exchanging information, reduces frequency congestion, and provides pilots with a quick and easy to take care of a pre-departure step BEFORE they start their enginers.

In other words, real pilots do this all the time. Now you can too!

Q: I requested IFR clearance and received it on my phone, but the app is not updating?

A: The issue is that when your sim, especially FS24 but can also be FS2020, is not loaded in and then switches to loaded in status while the SI client is open this automatically triggers the 'new flight' action which resets your clearance. Make sure you are in-game, in a spawned plane before you open the main SI application.