VatSim

[FuturePilot]

I registered on VATSim. What do I do to get to fly on there? I have read all the stuff I can find on there. I downloaded and installed the two apps. I can usually figure out almost anything I set my mind to, but I just can't figure this out!! 

[FuturePilot]

Bump. Sorry! 

[ShaneG_old]

I was under the impression that you had to pass some sort of test to fly there.

Or at least sit in on a few sessions until they felt you knew what was going on.

It's a little too serious for most of us, so I don't think that very many people who visit this MP board fly there.

[FuturePilot]

[quote]I was under the impression that you had to pass some sort of test to fly there.

Or at least sit in on a few sessions until they felt you knew what was going on.

It's a little too serious for most of us, so I don't think that very many people who visit this MP board fly there.

[Sean Grenyer]

Hey

Sorry for butting in!

VATSIM is fantastic. You don't have to pass a test to fly (but you do if you want to be a ATC-er). It's great for flying with friends - much more so than Gamespy. Three of us regularly fly commercial aircraft all over the world, only yesterday we took off from Calgary and flew quite close together over the Rockies to Vancouver.

HOWEVER, if you logon to their servers during the evening or at weekends there can be many other aircraft flying at the same time, especially at busy airports. Therefore you have to adhere to airport procedures, ie taxi properly, announce your intentions, land on the correct runway, etc, otherwise there may be an incident.

Also, if there is an Air Traffic Controller online at airport you spawn at, you will need to obtain permission to taxi/takeoff, etc, just like in real life, again, especially if there are other pilots at the same airport.

But that said, pick a quiet area and you can pretty much do whatever you want, and when you're used to your aircraft and are ready to try ATC, pick a quiet airport, say that your a newbie and they'll give you clear instructions and help you with anything you want - they're not the devil! You don't even need payware aircraft as long as you're familiar with navigating properly.

Sean

[ShaneG_old]

Hey

Sorry for butting in!

I'm quite happy that you did! 

I've been hoping for that kind of review of them, because just going by their page, it seems awfully intimidating at first.
I've considered trying some light GA flying there before, but was fairly unsure of how to even begin there myself.
Our server here is quite simple and easy to use, but sometimes lacks in some areas. 

Thanks again for your insight here. 

[FuturePilot]

Hey

Sorry for butting in!

VATSIM is fantastic. You don't have to pass a test to fly (but you do if you want to be a ATC-er). It's great for flying with friends - much more so than Gamespy. Three of us regularly fly commercial aircraft all over the world, only yesterday we took off from Calgary and flew quite close together over the Rockies to Vancouver.

HOWEVER, if you logon to their servers during the evening or at weekends there can be many other aircraft flying at the same time, especially at busy airports. Therefore you have to adhere to airport procedures, ie taxi properly, announce your intentions, land on the correct runway, etc, otherwise there may be an incident.

Also, if there is an Air Traffic Controller online at airport you spawn at, you will need to obtain permission to taxi/takeoff, etc, just like in real life, again, especially if there are other pilots at the same airport.

But that said, pick a quiet area and you can pretty much do whatever you want, and when you're used to your aircraft and are ready to try ATC, pick a quiet airport, say that your a newbie and they'll give you clear instructions and help you with anything you want - they're not the devil! You don't even need payware aircraft as long as you're familiar with navigating properly.

Sean

Thanks!  I have to get some time to fly soon, then I can try to look into this again! 

[SeanTK]

When you first jump in, just take something small like a C-150 or 172. After you get used to the system (both VFR and IFR), bump up your activities with slightly larger aircraft, and keep progressing.