diff --git a/resources/shared/bootstrap/bootstrap.json b/resources/shared/bootstrap/bootstrap.json
index 7a32758e8..30d6b6674 100644
--- a/resources/shared/bootstrap/bootstrap.json
+++ b/resources/shared/bootstrap/bootstrap.json
@@ -5,6 +5,17 @@
         "url": "https://vatsim-germany.org:50443/mapping/public"
     },
     "development": false,
+    "fsdTestServers": {
+        "containerbase": [
+        ]
+    },
+    "newsUrls": {
+        "containerbase": [
+            {
+                "url": "http://swift-project.org/"
+            }
+        ]
+    },
     "sharedUrls": {
         "containerbase": [
             {
@@ -15,7 +26,7 @@
             }
         ]
     },
-    "timestampMSecsSinceEpoch": 0,
+    "timestampMSecsSinceEpoch": 1457055734000,
     "vatsimBookingsUrl": {
         "url": "http://vatbook.euroutepro.com/xml2.php"
     },
@@ -26,14 +37,19 @@
             }
         ]
     },
-    "vatsimMetarsUrl": {
-        "url": "http://metar.vatsim.net/metar.php"
-    },
-	"newsUrls": {
+    "vatsimMetarsUrls": {
         "containerbase": [
             {
-                "url": "http://swift-project.org/"
+                "url": "http://metar.vatsim.net/metar.php"
             }
         ]
-    }
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+    },
+    "vatsimStatusFileUrls": {
+        "containerbase": [
+            {
+                "url": "https://status.vatsim.net"
+            }
+        ]
+    },
+    "wasLoaded": true
+}
diff --git a/src/blackcore/application.cpp b/src/blackcore/application.cpp
index c504f3e08..58348e7db 100644
--- a/src/blackcore/application.cpp
+++ b/src/blackcore/application.cpp
@@ -471,7 +471,7 @@ namespace BlackCore
         this->addParserOption(this->m_cmdDevelopment);
 
         this->m_cmdSharedDir = QCommandLineOption({ "shared", "shareddir" },
-                               QCoreApplication::translate("application", "Local shred directory."),
+                               QCoreApplication::translate("application", "Local shared directory."),
                                "shared");
         this->addParserOption(this->m_cmdSharedDir);
     }
@@ -769,4 +769,37 @@ namespace BlackCore
         if (!supportsContexts()) { return nullptr; }
         return this->m_coreFacade->getIContextSimulator();
     }
+
+    // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    // Setup
+    // ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+    CUrlList CApplication::getVatsimMetarUrls() const
+    {
+        if (this->m_webDataServices)
+        {
+            const CUrlList urls(this->m_webDataServices->getVatsimMetarUrls());
+            if (!urls.empty()) { return urls; }
+        }
+        if (this->m_setupReader)
+        {
+            return this->m_setupReader->getSetup().vatsimMetarsUrls();
+        }
+        return CUrlList();
+    }
+
+    CUrlList CApplication::getVatsimDataFileUrls() const
+    {
+        if (this->m_webDataServices)
+        {
+            const CUrlList urls(this->m_webDataServices->getVatsimDataFileUrls());
+            if (!urls.empty()) { return urls; }
+        }
+        if (this->m_setupReader)
+        {
+            return this->m_setupReader->getSetup().vatsimDataFileUrls();
+        }
+        return CUrlList();
+    }
+
 } // ns
diff --git a/src/blackcore/application.h b/src/blackcore/application.h
index e261e2cab..249b9bf8f 100644
--- a/src/blackcore/application.h
+++ b/src/blackcore/application.h
@@ -49,6 +49,8 @@ namespace BlackCore
      * - The core facade (aka core runtime) is now part of the application. It can be started via cmd line arguments.
      * - Settings are loaded
      * - Setup is loaded (load the so called bootsrap file) to find servers and other resources
+     * - Update information (new swift versions etc.) are loaded
+     * - If applicable VATSIM status data (where are the VATSIM files?) are loaded
      * - An end of lifetime can be specified, aka time bombing
      *
      * \sa BlackGui::CGuiApplication for the GUI version of application
@@ -213,6 +215,16 @@ namespace BlackCore
         IContextSimulator *getIContextSimulator();
         //! @}
 
+        // ----------------------- direct access to some setup data ---------------------------------
+
+        //! Consolidated version of METAR URLs, either from CGlobalSetup or CVatsimSetup
+        //! \threadsafe
+        BlackMisc::Network::CUrlList getVatsimMetarUrls() const;
+
+        //! Consolidated version of data file URLs, either from CGlobalSetup or CVatsimSetup
+        //! \threadsafe
+        BlackMisc::Network::CUrlList getVatsimDataFileUrls() const;
+
     public slots:
         //! Graceful shutdown
         virtual void gracefulShutdown();
diff --git a/src/blackcore/data/globalsetup.cpp b/src/blackcore/data/globalsetup.cpp
index 0ecc633f4..b55dd3f4f 100644
--- a/src/blackcore/data/globalsetup.cpp
+++ b/src/blackcore/data/globalsetup.cpp
@@ -25,8 +25,9 @@ namespace BlackCore
             ITimestampBased(0),
             m_dbRootDirectoryUrl("http://ubuntu12/swiftdatastore/public"),
             m_vatsimBookingsUrl("http://vatbook.euroutepro.com/xml2.php"),
-            m_vatsimMetarsUrl("http://metar.vatsim.net/metar.php"),
-            m_vatsimDataFileUrls(QStringList( { "http://info.vroute.net/vatsim-data.txt" })),
+            m_vatsimMetarsUrls( {"http://metar.vatsim.net/metar.php"}),
+            m_vatsimStatusFileUrls({ "https://status.vatsim.net" }),
+            m_vatsimDataFileUrls({ "http://info.vroute.net/vatsim-data.txt" }),
             m_sharedUrls(CProject::swiftTeamDefaultServers()),
             m_newsUrls(QStringList({ "http://swift-project.org/" }))
         { }
@@ -72,11 +73,6 @@ namespace BlackCore
             return this->isDevelopment() == otherSetup.isDevelopment();
         }
 
-        CUrl CGlobalSetup::vatsimMetarsUrl() const
-        {
-            return this->m_vatsimMetarsUrl.withAppendedQuery("id=all");
-        }
-
         CUrlList CGlobalSetup::bootstrapFileUrls() const
         {
             CUrlList urls(m_sharedUrls);
@@ -179,7 +175,7 @@ namespace BlackCore
             s.append(vatsimBookingsUrl().toQString(i18n));
             s.append(separator);
             s.append("VATSIM METARs: ");
-            s.append(vatsimMetarsUrl().toQString(i18n));
+            s.append(vatsimMetarsUrls().toQString(i18n));
             s.append(separator);
             s.append("VATSIM data file: ");
             s.append(vatsimDataFileUrls().toQString(i18n));
@@ -206,12 +202,14 @@ namespace BlackCore
                 return CVariant::fromValue(this->m_dbHttpsPort);
             case IndexDbLoginService:
                 return CVariant::fromValue(this->dbLoginServiceUrl());
+            case IndexVatsimStatus:
+                return CVariant::fromValue(this->m_vatsimStatusFileUrls);
             case IndexVatsimData:
                 return CVariant::fromValue(this->m_vatsimDataFileUrls);
             case IndexVatsimBookings:
                 return CVariant::fromValue(this->m_vatsimDataFileUrls);
             case IndexVatsimMetars:
-                return CVariant::fromValue(this->m_vatsimMetarsUrl);
+                return CVariant::fromValue(this->m_vatsimMetarsUrls);
             case IndexUpdateInfo:
                 return CVariant::fromValue(this->updateInfoFileUrls());
             case IndexBootstrap:
@@ -257,7 +255,7 @@ namespace BlackCore
                 this->m_vatsimBookingsUrl.setPropertyByIndex(variant, index.copyFrontRemoved());
                 break;
             case IndexVatsimMetars:
-                this->m_vatsimMetarsUrl.setPropertyByIndex(variant, index.copyFrontRemoved());
+                this->m_vatsimMetarsUrls = variant.value<CUrlList>();
                 break;
             case IndexShared:
                 this->m_sharedUrls = variant.value<CUrlList>();
@@ -273,7 +271,7 @@ namespace BlackCore
 
         const QString &CGlobalSetup::versionString()
         {
-            static const QString v("0.6.1");
+            static const QString v("0.7.0");
             return v;
         }
 
diff --git a/src/blackcore/data/globalsetup.h b/src/blackcore/data/globalsetup.h
index 1123306aa..4ba5baf99 100644
--- a/src/blackcore/data/globalsetup.h
+++ b/src/blackcore/data/globalsetup.h
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ namespace BlackCore
                 IndexDbHttpPort,
                 IndexDbHttpsPort,
                 IndexDbLoginService,
+                IndexVatsimStatus,
                 IndexVatsimBookings,
                 IndexVatsimMetars,
                 IndexVatsimData,
@@ -93,7 +94,10 @@ namespace BlackCore
             const BlackMisc::Network::CUrl &vatsimBookingsUrl() const { return m_vatsimBookingsUrl; }
 
             //! VATSIM METAR URL
-            BlackMisc::Network::CUrl vatsimMetarsUrl() const;
+            const BlackMisc::Network::CUrlList &vatsimMetarsUrls() const { return this->m_vatsimMetarsUrls; }
+
+            //! VATSIM status file URLs
+            const BlackMisc::Network::CUrlList &vatsimStatusFileUrls() const { return m_vatsimStatusFileUrls; }
 
             //! VATSIM data file URLs
             const BlackMisc::Network::CUrlList &vatsimDataFileUrls() const { return m_vatsimDataFileUrls; }
@@ -149,7 +153,8 @@ namespace BlackCore
             bool                            m_development = false;  //!< dev. version?
             BlackMisc::Network::CUrl        m_dbRootDirectoryUrl;   //!< Root directory of DB
             BlackMisc::Network::CUrl        m_vatsimBookingsUrl;    //!< ATC bookings
-            BlackMisc::Network::CUrl        m_vatsimMetarsUrl;      //!< METAR data
+            BlackMisc::Network::CUrlList    m_vatsimMetarsUrls;     //!< METAR data
+            BlackMisc::Network::CUrlList    m_vatsimStatusFileUrls; //!< Status file, where to find the VATSIM files (METAR, data, ATIS, other status files)
             BlackMisc::Network::CUrlList    m_vatsimDataFileUrls;   //!< Overall VATSIM data file / merely for bootstrapping the first time
             BlackMisc::Network::CUrlList    m_sharedUrls;           //!< where we can obtain shared info files such as bootstrap, ..
             BlackMisc::Network::CUrlList    m_newsUrls;             //!< where we can obtain latest news
@@ -183,9 +188,10 @@ BLACK_DECLARE_TUPLE_CONVERSION(BlackCore::Data::CGlobalSetup, (
                                    attr(o.m_dbRootDirectoryUrl),
                                    attr(o.m_dbHttpPort),
                                    attr(o.m_dbHttpsPort),
-                                   attr(o.m_vatsimBookingsUrl),
-                                   attr(o.m_vatsimMetarsUrl),
+                                   attr(o.m_vatsimStatusFileUrls),
                                    attr(o.m_vatsimDataFileUrls),
+                                   attr(o.m_vatsimBookingsUrl),
+                                   attr(o.m_vatsimMetarsUrls),
                                    attr(o.m_sharedUrls),
                                    attr(o.m_newsUrls),
                                    attr(o.m_fsdTestServers),
diff --git a/src/blackcore/data/vatsimsetup.h b/src/blackcore/data/vatsimsetup.h
index ea012ae25..7413f5889 100644
--- a/src/blackcore/data/vatsimsetup.h
+++ b/src/blackcore/data/vatsimsetup.h
@@ -33,8 +33,12 @@ namespace BlackCore
             //! Properties by index
             enum ColumnIndex
             {
-                IndexFsdServers = BlackMisc::CPropertyIndex::GlobalIndexCGlobalSetup + 50,
-                IndexDataFiles
+                IndexServerFiles = BlackMisc::CPropertyIndex::GlobalIndexCVatsimSetup,
+                IndexDataFiles,
+                IndexMetarFiles,
+                IndexFsdServers,
+                IndexCVoiceServers,
+                IndexLastLoginUser
             };
 
             //! Default constructor
@@ -49,6 +53,18 @@ namespace BlackCore
             //! Set VATSIM data file URLs
             void setDataFileUrls(const BlackMisc::Network::CUrlList &urls) { m_dataFileUrls = urls; }
 
+            //! Server file URLs (like data file, only servers)
+            const BlackMisc::Network::CUrlList &getServerFileUrls() const { return m_serverFileUrls; }
+
+            //! Set server file URLs (like data file, only servers)
+            void setServerFileUrls(const BlackMisc::Network::CUrlList &urls) { m_serverFileUrls = urls; }
+
+            //! METAR file URLs
+            const BlackMisc::Network::CUrlList &getMetarFileUrls() const { return m_metarFileUrls; }
+
+            //! METAR file URLs
+            void setMetarFileUrls(const BlackMisc::Network::CUrlList &urls) { m_metarFileUrls = urls; }
+
             //! FSD test servers
             const BlackMisc::Network::CServerList &getFsdServers() const { return m_fsdServers; }
 
@@ -82,7 +98,9 @@ namespace BlackCore
         private:
             BLACK_ENABLE_TUPLE_CONVERSION(BlackCore::Data::CVatsimSetup)
 
-            BlackMisc::Network::CUrlList    m_dataFileUrls;   //!< Overall VATSIM data file / merely for bootstrapping the first time
+            BlackMisc::Network::CUrlList    m_serverFileUrls; //!< only the FSD servers
+            BlackMisc::Network::CUrlList    m_dataFileUrls;   //!< Full VATSIM files
+            BlackMisc::Network::CUrlList    m_metarFileUrls;  //!< METAR files
             BlackMisc::Network::CServerList m_fsdServers;     //!< FSD test servers
             BlackMisc::Network::CServerList m_voiceServers;   //!< voice servers
             BlackMisc::Network::CUser       m_lastLoginUser;  //!< last login user
@@ -107,9 +125,12 @@ namespace BlackCore
 
 Q_DECLARE_METATYPE(BlackCore::Data::CVatsimSetup)
 BLACK_DECLARE_TUPLE_CONVERSION(BlackCore::Data::CVatsimSetup, (
+                                   attr(o.m_serverFileUrls),
                                    attr(o.m_dataFileUrls),
+                                   attr(o.m_metarFileUrls),
                                    attr(o.m_fsdServers),
                                    attr(o.m_voiceServers),
+                                   attr(o.m_lastLoginUser),
                                    attr(o.m_timestampMSecsSinceEpoch)
                                ))
 #endif // guard
diff --git a/src/blackcore/setupreader.h b/src/blackcore/setupreader.h
index c1849304c..ff9694dd7 100644
--- a/src/blackcore/setupreader.h
+++ b/src/blackcore/setupreader.h
@@ -17,7 +17,6 @@
 #include "blackmisc/lockfree.h"
 #include "blackcore/data/globalsetup.h"
 #include "blackcore/data/updateinfo.h"
-
 #include <QObject>
 #include <QTimer>
 #include <QNetworkReply>
@@ -27,9 +26,13 @@
 namespace BlackCore
 {
     //! Read the central URLs / locations of our data / setup.
-    //! This should be only used in BlackCore::CApplication
+    //!
+    //! \details This class should be only used in BlackCore::CApplication. It will also trigger reading
+    //!          update information.
+    //!
     //! \note This class is no(!) BlackCore::CThreadedReader as it will be loaded once during startup
-    //!       and is usually fast.
+    //!       and reading setup data is fast.
+    //!
     //! \sa BlackCore::Data::GlobalSetup
     //! \sa BlackCore::Data::UpdateInfo
     class BLACKCORE_EXPORT CSetupReader : public QObject
diff --git a/src/blackcore/vatsimdatafilereader.cpp b/src/blackcore/vatsimdatafilereader.cpp
index 6accec274..7c4297861 100644
--- a/src/blackcore/vatsimdatafilereader.cpp
+++ b/src/blackcore/vatsimdatafilereader.cpp
@@ -158,7 +158,8 @@ namespace BlackCore
         // remark: Don't use QThread to run network operations in the background
         // see http://qt-project.org/doc/qt-4.7/qnetworkaccessmanager.html
         Q_ASSERT_X(sApp, Q_FUNC_INFO, "Missing application");
-        const QUrl url(sApp->getGlobalSetup().vatsimDataFileUrls().getRandomUrl());
+        CFailoverUrlList urls(sApp->getVatsimDataFileUrls());
+        const QUrl url(urls.obtainNextWorkingUrl(true));
         if (url.isEmpty()) { return; }
         sApp->getFromNetwork(url, { this, &CVatsimDataFileReader::ps_parseVatsimFile});
 
@@ -239,7 +240,7 @@ namespace BlackCore
                         if (callsign.isEmpty()) { break; }
                         const BlackMisc::Network::CUser user(clientPartsMap["cid"], clientPartsMap["realname"], callsign);
                         const QString clientType = clientPartsMap["clienttype"].toLower();
-                        if (clientType.isEmpty()) break; // sometimes type is empty
+                        if (clientType.isEmpty()) { break; } // sometimes type is empty
                         const double lat = clientPartsMap["latitude"].toDouble();
                         const double lng = clientPartsMap["longitude"].toDouble();
                         const double alt = clientPartsMap["altitude"].toDouble();
@@ -384,8 +385,8 @@ namespace BlackCore
         QMap<QString, QString> parts;
         for (int i = 0; i < clientSectionAttributes.size(); i++)
         {
-            Q_ASSERT(i < clientSectionAttributes.size());
-            Q_ASSERT(i < clientParts.size());
+            BLACK_VERIFY_X(i < clientSectionAttributes.size(), Q_FUNC_INFO, "Wrong section attribute size");
+            BLACK_VERIFY_X(i < clientParts.size(), Q_FUNC_INFO, "Wrong parts size");
             parts.insert(clientSectionAttributes.at(i).toLower(), clientParts.at(i));
         }
         return parts;
diff --git a/src/blackcore/vatsimdatafilereader.h b/src/blackcore/vatsimdatafilereader.h
index 4f9a3c60a..9443cdb02 100644
--- a/src/blackcore/vatsimdatafilereader.h
+++ b/src/blackcore/vatsimdatafilereader.h
@@ -28,7 +28,8 @@
 
 namespace BlackCore
 {
-    //! Read bookings from VATSIM
+    //! Read vatsim data file
+    //! \sa http://info.vroute.net/vatsim-data.txt
     class BLACKCORE_EXPORT CVatsimDataFileReader : public BlackMisc::CThreadedReader
     {
         Q_OBJECT
@@ -57,7 +58,7 @@ namespace BlackCore
         //! \threadsafe
         BlackMisc::Network::CServerList getVoiceServers() const;
 
-        //! Get all FSD servers
+        //! Get all VATSIM FSD servers
         //! \threadsafe
         BlackMisc::Network::CServerList getFsdServers() const;
 
diff --git a/src/blackcore/vatsimmetarreader.cpp b/src/blackcore/vatsimmetarreader.cpp
index 487bcac0c..fbdb72a2c 100644
--- a/src/blackcore/vatsimmetarreader.cpp
+++ b/src/blackcore/vatsimmetarreader.cpp
@@ -63,10 +63,11 @@ namespace BlackCore
     void CVatsimMetarReader::ps_readMetars()
     {
         this->threadAssertCheck();
-        const CUrl url(sApp->getGlobalSetup().vatsimMetarsUrl());
+        CFailoverUrlList urls(sApp->getVatsimMetarUrls());
+        const CUrl url(urls.obtainNextWorkingUrl(true));
         if (url.isEmpty()) { return; }
         Q_ASSERT_X(sApp, Q_FUNC_INFO, "No Application");
-        sApp->getFromNetwork(url, { this, &CVatsimMetarReader::ps_decodeMetars});
+        sApp->getFromNetwork(url.withAppendedQuery("id=all"), { this, &CVatsimMetarReader::ps_decodeMetars});
     }
 
     void CVatsimMetarReader::ps_decodeMetars(QNetworkReply *nwReplyPtr)
diff --git a/src/blackcore/vatsimstatusfilereader.cpp b/src/blackcore/vatsimstatusfilereader.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..ca4897de7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/blackcore/vatsimstatusfilereader.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,162 @@
+/* Copyright (C) 2013
+ * swift project Community / Contributors
+ *
+ * This file is part of swift project. It is subject to the license terms in the LICENSE file found in the top-level
+ * directory of this distribution and at http://www.swift-project.org/license.html. No part of swift project,
+ * including this file, may be copied, modified, propagated, or distributed except according to the terms
+ * contained in the LICENSE file.
+ */
+
+#include "blackcore/vatsimstatusfilereader.h"
+#include "blackcore/application.h"
+#include "blackmisc/network/urllist.h"
+#include "blackmisc/logmessage.h"
+
+using namespace BlackMisc;
+using namespace BlackMisc::Aviation;
+using namespace BlackMisc::Network;
+using namespace BlackMisc::Geo;
+using namespace BlackMisc::Simulation;
+using namespace BlackMisc::PhysicalQuantities;
+using namespace BlackCore::Data;
+
+namespace BlackCore
+{
+    CVatsimStatusFileReader::CVatsimStatusFileReader(QObject *owner) :
+        CThreadedReader(owner, "CVatsimStatusFileReader")
+    {
+        this->connect(this->m_updateTimer, &QTimer::timeout, this, &CVatsimStatusFileReader::ps_read);
+    }
+
+    void CVatsimStatusFileReader::readInBackgroundThread()
+    {
+        bool s = QMetaObject::invokeMethod(this, "ps_read");
+        Q_ASSERT_X(s, Q_FUNC_INFO, "Invoke failed");
+        Q_UNUSED(s);
+    }
+
+    CUrlList CVatsimStatusFileReader::getMetarFileUrls() const
+    {
+        return this->m_lastGoodSetup.getCopy().getMetarFileUrls();
+    }
+
+    CUrlList CVatsimStatusFileReader::getDataFileUrls() const
+    {
+        return this->m_lastGoodSetup.getCopy().getDataFileUrls();
+    }
+
+    void CVatsimStatusFileReader::cleanup()
+    {
+        // void
+    }
+
+    void CVatsimStatusFileReader::ps_read()
+    {
+        this->threadAssertCheck();
+
+        Q_ASSERT_X(sApp, Q_FUNC_INFO, "Missing application");
+        CFailoverUrlList urls(sApp->getGlobalSetup().vatsimStatusFileUrls());
+        const CUrl url(urls.obtainNextWorkingUrl(true)); // random working URL
+        if (url.isEmpty()) { return; }
+        sApp->getFromNetwork(url, { this, &CVatsimStatusFileReader::ps_parseVatsimFile});
+    }
+
+    void CVatsimStatusFileReader::ps_parseVatsimFile(QNetworkReply *nwReplyPtr)
+    {
+        // wrap pointer, make sure any exit cleans up reply
+        // required to use delete later as object is created in a different thread
+        QScopedPointer<QNetworkReply, QScopedPointerDeleteLater> nwReply(nwReplyPtr);
+
+        this->threadAssertCheck();
+
+        // Worker thread, make sure to write only synced here!
+        if (this->isAbandoned())
+        {
+            CLogMessage(this).debug() << Q_FUNC_INFO;
+            CLogMessage(this).info("Terminated VATSIM status file parsing process"); // for users
+            return; // stop, terminate straight away, ending thread
+        }
+
+        QStringList illegalIcaoCodes;
+        if (nwReply->error() == QNetworkReply::NoError)
+        {
+            const QString dataFileData = nwReply->readAll();
+            nwReply->close(); // close asap
+
+            if (dataFileData.isEmpty()) return;
+            const QStringList lines = dataFileData.split(QRegExp("[\r\n]"), QString::SkipEmptyParts);
+            if (lines.isEmpty()) { return; }
+
+            CUrlList dataFiles;
+            CUrlList serverFiles;
+            CUrlList metarFiles;
+
+            for (const QString &cl : lines)
+            {
+                if (this->isAbandoned())
+                {
+                    CLogMessage(this).debug() << Q_FUNC_INFO;
+                    CLogMessage(this).info("Terminated status parsing process"); // for users
+                    return; // stop, terminate straight away, ending thread
+                }
+
+                // parse lines
+                const QString currentLine(cl.trimmed());
+                if (currentLine.isEmpty()) { continue; }
+                if (currentLine.startsWith(";")) { continue; }
+                if (!currentLine.contains("=")) { continue; }
+
+                const QStringList parts(currentLine.split('='));
+                if (parts.length() != 2) { continue; }
+                const QString key(parts[0].trimmed().toLower());
+                const QString value(parts[1].trimmed());
+                const CUrl url(value);
+                if (key.startsWith("url0"))
+                {
+                    dataFiles.push_back(url);
+                }
+                else if (key.startsWith("url1"))
+                {
+                    serverFiles.push_back(url);
+                }
+                else if (key.startsWith("metar"))
+                {
+                    metarFiles.push_back(url);
+                }
+                else if (key.startsWith("atis"))
+                {
+                    // not yet used
+                }
+            } // for each line
+
+            // this part needs to be synchronized
+            {
+                // cache itself is thread safe
+                CVatsimSetup vs(this->m_lastGoodSetup.getCopy());
+                vs.setDataFileUrls(dataFiles);
+                vs.setMetarFileUrls(metarFiles);
+                vs.setServerFileUrls(serverFiles);
+                vs.setUtcTimestamp(QDateTime::currentDateTime());
+                this->m_lastGoodSetup.set(vs);
+            }
+
+            // warnings, if required
+            if (!illegalIcaoCodes.isEmpty())
+            {
+                CLogMessage(this).info("Illegal / ignored ICAO code(s) in VATSIM data file: %1") << illegalIcaoCodes.join(", ");
+            }
+
+            // data read finished
+            emit this->dataFileRead(lines.count());
+            emit this->dataRead(CEntityFlags::VatsimStatusFile, CEntityFlags::ReadFinished, lines.count());
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            // network error
+            CLogMessage(this).warning("Reading VATSIM status file failed %1 %2") << nwReply->errorString() << nwReply->url().toString();
+            nwReply->abort();
+            emit this->dataRead(CEntityFlags::VatsimStatusFile, CEntityFlags::ReadFailed, 0);
+        }
+    }
+
+} // namespace
diff --git a/src/blackcore/vatsimstatusfilereader.h b/src/blackcore/vatsimstatusfilereader.h
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..a23ed0937
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/blackcore/vatsimstatusfilereader.h
@@ -0,0 +1,71 @@
+/* Copyright (C) 2013
+ * swift project Community / Contributors
+ *
+ * This file is part of swift project. It is subject to the license terms in the LICENSE file found in the top-level
+ * directory of this distribution and at http://www.swift-project.org/license.html. No part of swift project,
+ * including this file, may be copied, modified, propagated, or distributed except according to the terms
+ * contained in the LICENSE file.
+ */
+
+//! \file
+
+#ifndef BLACKCORE_VATSIMSTATUSFILEREADER_H
+#define BLACKCORE_VATSIMSTATUSFILEREADER_H
+
+#include "blackcoreexport.h"
+#include "blackcore/data/vatsimsetup.h"
+#include "blackmisc/threadedreader.h"
+#include "blackmisc/network/urllist.h"
+
+#include <QObject>
+#include <QTimer>
+#include <QReadWriteLock>
+
+namespace BlackCore
+{
+    //! Sole purpose is to read the URLs where VATSIM data can be downloaded
+    //! \sa https://status.vatsim.net/
+    class BLACKCORE_EXPORT CVatsimStatusFileReader : public BlackMisc::CThreadedReader
+    {
+        Q_OBJECT
+
+    public:
+        //! Constructor
+        explicit CVatsimStatusFileReader(QObject *owner);
+
+        //! METAR URLs
+        //! \threadsafe
+        BlackMisc::Network::CUrlList getMetarFileUrls() const;
+
+        //! Data file URLs
+        //! \threadsafe
+        BlackMisc::Network::CUrlList getDataFileUrls() const;
+
+    public slots:
+        //! Start reading in own thread
+        void readInBackgroundThread();
+
+    signals:
+        //! Data have been read
+        void dataFileRead(int lines);
+
+        //! Data have been read
+        void dataRead(BlackMisc::Network::CEntityFlags::Entity entity, BlackMisc::Network::CEntityFlags::ReadState state, int number);
+
+    protected:
+        //! \copydoc BlackMisc::CThreadedReader::cleanup
+        virtual void cleanup() override;
+
+    private slots:
+        //! Data have been read, parse VATSIM file
+        void ps_parseVatsimFile(QNetworkReply *nwReply);
+
+        //! Read / re-read data file
+        void ps_read();
+
+    private:
+        BlackMisc::CData<BlackCore::Data::VatsimSetup> m_lastGoodSetup { this };
+    };
+} // ns
+
+#endif // guard
diff --git a/src/blackcore/webdataservices.cpp b/src/blackcore/webdataservices.cpp
index 96eb422a1..3506deabe 100644
--- a/src/blackcore/webdataservices.cpp
+++ b/src/blackcore/webdataservices.cpp
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
 #include "blackcore/modeldatareader.h"
 #include "blackcore/icaodatareader.h"
 #include "blackcore/databasewriter.h"
+#include "blackcore/vatsimstatusfilereader.h"
 #include "blackcore/vatsimbookingreader.h"
 #include "blackcore/vatsimdatafilereader.h"
 #include "blackcore/vatsimmetarreader.h"
@@ -99,6 +100,18 @@ namespace BlackCore
         return CServerList();
     }
 
+    CUrlList CWebDataServices::getVatsimMetarUrls() const
+    {
+        if (m_vatsimStatusReader) { return m_vatsimStatusReader->getMetarFileUrls(); }
+        return CUrlList();
+    }
+
+    CUrlList CWebDataServices::getVatsimDataFileUrls() const
+    {
+        if (m_vatsimStatusReader) { return m_vatsimStatusReader->getDataFileUrls(); }
+        return CUrlList();
+    }
+
     CUserList CWebDataServices::getUsersForCallsign(const CCallsign &callsign) const
     {
         if (m_vatsimDataFileReader) { return m_vatsimDataFileReader->getUsersForCallsign(callsign); }
@@ -392,6 +405,7 @@ namespace BlackCore
     void CWebDataServices::gracefulShutdown()
     {
         this->disconnect(); // all signals
+        if (this->m_vatsimStatusReader)   { this->m_vatsimStatusReader->gracefulShutdown(); }
         if (this->m_vatsimBookingReader)  { this->m_vatsimBookingReader->gracefulShutdown(); }
         if (this->m_vatsimDataFileReader) { this->m_vatsimDataFileReader->gracefulShutdown(); }
         if (this->m_vatsimMetarReader)    { this->m_vatsimMetarReader->gracefulShutdown(); }
@@ -408,7 +422,16 @@ namespace BlackCore
 
     void CWebDataServices::initReaders(CWebReaderFlags::WebReader flags)
     {
-        // 1. VATSIM bookings
+        // 1. Status file, updating the cache
+        if (flags.testFlag(CWebReaderFlags::WebReaderFlag::VatsimDataReader) || flags.testFlag(CWebReaderFlags::WebReaderFlag::VatsimMetarReader))
+        {
+            this->m_vatsimStatusReader = new CVatsimStatusFileReader(this);
+            this->m_vatsimStatusReader->start(QThread::LowPriority);
+            this->m_vatsimStatusReader->setInterval(60 * 60 * 1000); // very slow updates required only
+            QTimer::singleShot(100, this->m_vatsimStatusReader, &CVatsimStatusFileReader::readInBackgroundThread);
+        }
+
+        // 2. VATSIM bookings
         if (flags.testFlag(CWebReaderFlags::WebReaderFlag::VatsimBookingReader))
         {
             this->m_vatsimBookingReader = new CVatsimBookingReader(this);
@@ -419,7 +442,7 @@ namespace BlackCore
             this->m_vatsimBookingReader->setInterval(3 * 60 * 1000);
         }
 
-        // 2. VATSIM data file
+        // 3. VATSIM data file
         if (flags.testFlag(CWebReaderFlags::WebReaderFlag::VatsimDataReader))
         {
             this->m_vatsimDataFileReader = new CVatsimDataFileReader(this);
@@ -430,7 +453,7 @@ namespace BlackCore
             this->m_vatsimDataFileReader->setInterval(90 * 1000);
         }
 
-        // 3. VATSIM metar data
+        // 4. VATSIM metar data
         if (flags.testFlag(CWebReaderFlags::WebReaderFlag::VatsimMetarReader))
         {
             this->m_vatsimMetarReader = new CVatsimMetarReader(this);
@@ -441,7 +464,7 @@ namespace BlackCore
             this->m_vatsimMetarReader->setInterval(90 * 1000);
         }
 
-        // 4. ICAO data reader
+        // 5. ICAO data reader
         if (flags.testFlag(CWebReaderFlags::WebReaderFlag::IcaoDataReader))
         {
             bool c;
@@ -452,7 +475,7 @@ namespace BlackCore
             this->m_icaoDataReader->start(QThread::LowPriority);
         }
 
-        // 5. Model reader
+        // 6. Model reader
         if (flags.testFlag(CWebReaderFlags::WebReaderFlag::ModelReader))
         {
             this->m_modelDataReader = new CModelDataReader(this);
diff --git a/src/blackcore/webdataservices.h b/src/blackcore/webdataservices.h
index 0d7012f9b..0e8e0f362 100644
--- a/src/blackcore/webdataservices.h
+++ b/src/blackcore/webdataservices.h
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@
 #include "blackmisc/aviation/airlineicaocodelist.h"
 #include "blackmisc/aviation/aircrafticaocodelist.h"
 #include "blackmisc/network/serverlist.h"
+#include "blackmisc/network/urllist.h"
 #include "blackmisc/network/voicecapabilities.h"
 #include "blackmisc/network/entityflags.h"
 #include "blackmisc/simulation/distributorlist.h"
@@ -31,6 +32,7 @@
 
 namespace BlackCore
 {
+    class CVatsimStatusFileReader;
     class CVatsimBookingReader;
     class CVatsimDataFileReader;
     class CVatsimMetarReader;
@@ -84,6 +86,14 @@ namespace BlackCore
         //! \threadsafe
         BlackMisc::Network::CServerList getVatsimVoiceServers() const;
 
+        //! METAR URLs (from status file)
+        //! \threadsafe
+        BlackMisc::Network::CUrlList getVatsimMetarUrls() const;
+
+        //! Data file locations (from status file)
+        //! \threadsafe
+        BlackMisc::Network::CUrlList getVatsimDataFileUrls() const;
+
         //! Users by callsign
         //! \threadsafe
         BlackMisc::Network::CUserList getUsersForCallsign(const BlackMisc::Aviation::CCallsign &callsign) const;
@@ -283,14 +293,15 @@ namespace BlackCore
         bool m_initialRead                       = false;                                //!< Initial read conducted
 
         // for reading XML and VATSIM data files
-        CVatsimBookingReader  *m_vatsimBookingReader  = nullptr;
-        CVatsimDataFileReader *m_vatsimDataFileReader = nullptr;
-        CVatsimMetarReader    *m_vatsimMetarReader    = nullptr;
-        CIcaoDataReader       *m_icaoDataReader       = nullptr;
-        CModelDataReader      *m_modelDataReader      = nullptr;
+        CVatsimStatusFileReader *m_vatsimStatusReader   = nullptr;
+        CVatsimBookingReader    *m_vatsimBookingReader  = nullptr;
+        CVatsimDataFileReader   *m_vatsimDataFileReader = nullptr;
+        CVatsimMetarReader      *m_vatsimMetarReader    = nullptr;
+        CIcaoDataReader         *m_icaoDataReader       = nullptr;
+        CModelDataReader        *m_modelDataReader      = nullptr;
 
         // writing objects directly into DB
-        CDatabaseWriter       *m_databaseWriter       = nullptr;
+        CDatabaseWriter         *m_databaseWriter       = nullptr;
     };
 } // namespace
 
diff --git a/src/blackmisc/network/entityflags.h b/src/blackmisc/network/entityflags.h
index 84b0cb7e5..ccec3e07d 100644
--- a/src/blackmisc/network/entityflags.h
+++ b/src/blackmisc/network/entityflags.h
@@ -29,31 +29,32 @@ namespace BlackMisc
             //! Which data to read, requires corresponding readers
             enum EntityFlag
             {
-                NoEntity               = 0,      ///< no data at all
-                VatsimDataFile         = 1 << 0, ///< the VATSIM data file (multiple data entities)
-                BookingEntity          = 1 << 1, ///< bookings
-                MetarEntity            = 1 << 2,
-                AircraftIcaoEntity     = 1 << 3, ///< ICAO codes for aircraft
-                AirlineIcaoEntity      = 1 << 4, ///< ICAO codes for airlines
-                CountryEntity          = 1 << 5, ///< country codes
-                DistributorEntity      = 1 << 6, ///< distributors
-                LiveryEntity           = 1 << 7, ///< liveries
-                ModelEntity            = 1 << 8, ///< models
-                AllIcaoEntities        = AircraftIcaoEntity | AirlineIcaoEntity,                 ///< all ICAO codes
-                AllIcaoAndCountries    = AircraftIcaoEntity | AirlineIcaoEntity | CountryEntity, ///< all ICAO codes and countries
-                DistributorLiveryModel = DistributorEntity | LiveryEntity | ModelEntity,         ///< Combinded
-                AllDbEntities          = AllIcaoEntities | DistributorLiveryModel,               ///< All DB stuff
-                AllEntities            = 0xFFFF  ///< everything
+                NoEntity               = 0,            //!< no data at all
+                BookingEntity          = 1 << 0,       //!< bookings
+                MetarEntity            = 1 << 1,       //!< METAR
+                AircraftIcaoEntity     = 1 << 2,       //!< ICAO codes for aircraft
+                AirlineIcaoEntity      = 1 << 3,       //!< ICAO codes for airlines
+                CountryEntity          = 1 << 4,       //!< country codes
+                DistributorEntity      = 1 << 5,       //!< distributors
+                LiveryEntity           = 1 << 6,       //!< liveries
+                ModelEntity            = 1 << 7,       //!< models
+                VatsimDataFile         = 1 << 8,       //!< the VATSIM data file (multiple data entities)
+                VatsimStatusFile       = 1 << 9,       //!< the VATSIM status file (URLs for data files etc.)
+                AllEntities            = ((1<<10)-1),  //!< everything
+                AllIcaoEntities        = AircraftIcaoEntity | AirlineIcaoEntity,                  //!< all ICAO codes
+                AllIcaoAndCountries    = AircraftIcaoEntity | AirlineIcaoEntity | CountryEntity,  //!< all ICAO codes and countries
+                DistributorLiveryModel = DistributorEntity | LiveryEntity | ModelEntity,          //!< Combinded
+                AllDbEntities          = AllIcaoEntities | DistributorLiveryModel,                //!< All DB stuff
             };
             Q_DECLARE_FLAGS(Entity, EntityFlag)
 
             //! State of operation
             enum ReadState
             {
-                StartRead,                ///< reading has been started
-                ReadFinished,             ///< reading done
-                ReadFinishedRestricted,   ///< finished a timestamp restricted read
-                ReadFailed                ///< reading failed
+                StartRead,                 //!< reading has been started
+                ReadFinished,              //!< reading done
+                ReadFinishedRestricted,    //!< finished a timestamp restricted read
+                ReadFailed                 //!< reading failed
             };
 
             //! Convert to string
diff --git a/src/blackmisc/propertyindex.h b/src/blackmisc/propertyindex.h
index 3e27f34c6..6bb241a81 100644
--- a/src/blackmisc/propertyindex.h
+++ b/src/blackmisc/propertyindex.h
@@ -94,6 +94,7 @@ namespace BlackMisc
             GlobalIndexIDatastoreString       = 11100,
             GlobalIndexCGlobalSetup           = 12000,
             GlobalIndexCUpdateInfo            = 12100,
+            GlobalIndexCVatsimSetup           = 12200,
             GlobalIndexAbuseMode              = 20000  // property index abused as map key or otherwise, to be removed if no longer needed
         };