VFR vs IFR

 

IFR is "Instrument Flight Rules" where the pilot has been trained to use the navigational instruments of the aircraft and can fly in all weather conditions; including those where visibility is limted and navigation by instruments is the only way to get where you are going.

 

In FSX, VFR flights are usually referenced by ATC using the aircraft tail registration. So you would hear "Cessna ABC123, turn right heading blah blah blah". IFR flights in FSX are referenced by ATC using their IFR Flight Number. So you would heard "Speedbird 1123 Heavy, turn left heading blah blah blah".

 

If Traffic X, you must give IFR flights a flight number. If you forget to do that, then you will hear this "Zero, cleared to land" (where "Zero" would be what FSX uses as the IFR flight number).

 

In FSX, apart from the way FSX's ATC references the planes, there is no real difference between VFR and IFR.

 

However, I'm pretty sure the VFR planes at my airfields always takeoff at their assigned takeoff time, regardless of the prevailing weather conditions.

 

That said, there have been times where IMC conditions (Instrument Meteorological Conditions) are present - IFR in other words - when I thought a plane was due to taxi and takeoff and it didn't do so. So I have had similar thoughts that perhaps the VFR setting determines that they will fly only if the weather permits. But, in these cases, I believe I just got the schedule mixed up in my head and the plane probably wasn't due to fly out at that time after all.

 

Note that if the player flight plan (your flight plan) is a VFR flight plan and you are at a controlled airfield (one with a tower) ... and the conditions are IMC around the airfield ... then you will be told by the tower that you cannot fly your VFR plan. You would be given a message such as "Negative, airport is closed for VFR traffic at this time" or something similar. This only occurs at controlled airfields; you can always taxi out and takeoff at uncontrolled airfields.