Vatsim

[brando5450]

Hello lads, I'm planning on starting my liife of simming on a new page. I plan on taking the massive step and fly online. I know, I know, plenty of you's are rolling your eyes asking yourselves 'who hasn't flown on Vatsim before?' well, I'm that guy.
Until recently I haven't had the balls (excuse my french ) to even attempt such a massive thing. But I feel like my experience will make flying much more enjoyable and realistic. Anyway enough of the chit-chat and lets get down to the task at hand!
I'm not sure where to start! What do I do? I've setup an account, I've signed up to a VA and I know how to file flightplans but the one thing stopping me from go online is the lack of knowledge on what to do next. How do I log onto the client? How do I prepare a flight? How do I contact ATC? These are all questions I'm sure every 'newbie' has asked before and I'd appreciate if you experienced lads would help a 'noob' out!

Thanks in advance! Respect from the Emerald Isle!

[Capt Walter]

I considered signing up with Vatsim myself, but I just can't find the time to dedicate to it yet. I see you have already signed up with a virtual airline. Not trying to pass the buck or anything, but I would think the virtual airlines web page should have all the information you would need to get going in your new project. That would really be the best place for you to get the info you are seeking and at the same time you would be learning and adhering to that particular organizations rules and regulations. Good luck and happy flying. I really hope this will help guide you in the right direction.

[brando5450]

Thanks for the reply. Yes the VA does infact have the things I need to begin flying online but I was looking for more personal stories of how others began and how they prepare for a flight now.

Thanks anyways, From The Emerald Isle!

[garymbuska]

Thanks for the reply. Yes the VA does infact have the things I need to begin flying online but I was looking for more personal stories of how others began and how they prepare for a flight now.

Thanks anyways, From The Emerald Isle!

I flew for VATSIM for several months and it was a blast the only issue I had was dealing with the controllers some of them expect you to be a real pilot and do not cut you any slack.
For a flight what you want to do is to have every thing you can find about both your departure and arrival airports Sids and Stars. You will also need o know the proper altitude to fly at. I always get them confused when flying North or South it is either odd or even altitudes and just the opposite for East and West departures. You will need to file a flight plan one that you have all of the way points for. The Nav system in FSX is old and obsolete and unless you have updated it you might have a problem as a controller may change your flight plan on you and assign a way point you do not have.
The one big thing you want to do is to first just listen to a active flight because you will need to talk using the appropriate language. Things like your call sign N3897 is November3897 so if you do not know the lingo you are going to have issues the controller will tell you to taxi to runway 25Left using taxiway November Oscar Lima tango so you need to know what that means.