I'm so lost and discouraged

[TwoLow]

I don't have a great deal of time to play FS - maybe a hour or so a day.

Yesterday I was off work and got bored flying offline so decided to try online for the first time. I don't even remember where I went and how i got there but I did manage to get online but the one other plane I saw looked like mine (guess i didn't have his plane loaded on my pc) and it seemed silly to play online where I was as there were only six guys online and its a big world for six guys LOL so the skys were empty.

Today I went to VATSIM and oh my gosh I was so lost. I did manage to register but the stuff it said to download then configure plus the fact that it would seem impossible to have everyones plane of choice loaded on my pc meaning lots of duplicates.

Can i fly any plane I have downloaded or would that be silly as everyone else wouldn't see me in that plane?

I guess i figured it would be fun to see a airport all busy with real players coming and going but it looks like there isn't that many people in one place at the same time for that to be true.

Maybe I'll just stick to offline flying...not sure yet.

[Jared]

Well, I'm still partial to www.wspilots.com they have a decent hoplist so even if there is no one on you can pop online and go flying into new territory, or old for some flights.

They have a dedicated Team speak server, which isn't even required unless you are partaking in the live ATC sessions which occur sporadically throughout the year..(not as often as I'd like...)

As for seeing other aircraft as they should be, the quickest way to "help fix" it would be to have the other person switch to a stock aircraft of similar size...for example if they are flying the pmdg 737, ask them to switch to the original stock 737, then back to their pmdg one. This will leave you with the stock 737 on your screen..

Other than that the only way to ensure you see them the same as they are is to download and install their aircraft too..

Hope some of this info helped..

Jared

[JBaymore]

TwoLow,

Hey.. don't let it floor you... there are some options.  

I have been frequenting the Airflyers.net Seattle Center area a lot lately.  It is pretty active.. and since the flights are mostly confined to the Seattle area... that concentrates the aircraft.  Most evenings there are a lot of folks on...... and at least one controller.

Like Jared, I also fly at WSPilots.  I like that one a lot too.  It is more informal...... usually not any ATC.  You just announce to "traffic".

Get a coy of FSHostSpy and run it.  It'll help you find possibilities on the net.

I agree that VATSIM seems like WAY too much work to go thru just for some "fun".  Believe it or not the new Squackbox has made it easier!  But every time I visit thier main website... there are over 300 flights going on and there are something like 40-60 controllers on.  SO at some point... I might just have to "bite the bullet".

Any you are not the only one that finds all the installs and configuration a bit of a daunting task  ;).  

I quit Westcoast when they went to the new ATOC setup a short while ago......... which seemed to make the VATSIM setup look simple.  They have since apparently had some "second thoughts" about the changeover there.... but in the process of the whole thing when I offered some constructive criticizm..... I found that a number of folks there were "not very nice".

best,

..................john

[Saitek]

I am plunging into VAtsim and boy there is an awful lot to learn. I have finally managed to work out the site and although I haven't flown yet I am reading material in prepeation. Even when I do though I can't fly in the big airpors until I learn SIDS and STARS.

[Fozzer]

I am plunging into VAtsim and boy there is an awful lot to learn. I have finally managed to work out the site and although I haven't flown yet I am reading material in preparation. Even when I do though I can't fly in the big airports until I learn SIDS and STARS.

It seems as though most of the multiplayer sites are aimed at heavies using complex ATC rules...
...which doesn't suit me.....!
Bushflyers seems to be one of the few sites mostly dedicated to small(ish), General Aviation aircraft with limited interference from ATC... ... ...!
...which suits me... ...!

To me, the best arrangement would be for a couple of like-minded friends to fly on-line around a small pre-arranged area, with no-one else involved..... ...!
(How often does that happen)...?

Cheers all...!

Paul.... ...!

[JBaymore]

Paul,

Try WSPilots too.

And get a copy of FSHostSpy.... and search the web.  Ther area a LOT of flight servers online...and many, many of them are FAR less formal than places like IVAO or VATSIM.

And the ATC stuff applies to GA aircraft too if you are flying into / out of major airports.  SO it is not unrealistic.  But maybe try a :laid back" ATC site... rather than the "hardcore" sites.  The Airflyers Seattle Center I have found is very newbie friendly and there are a lot of GA on there in the evenings...... in addition to the flying cigars.  Most of the flyers there are aon west coast time........ so that might make it good for you in the early AM.

I'll buzz ya' in my BAe 146-200  ;D.


best,

...................john

[TwoLow]

Lots of good info that i will refer to later. I have a yard that needs attention so my off time will be caotic for a while.

Guess I'll stick to flying with robots for a while till I can find some time to learn  :(

[t_alexander21]

Personally, I'd go w/ Vatsim even if you plan on flying VFR. Although I have never flown on WSpilots from the sounds of it seems pretty boring. I mean if you just want to have "fun" stick to offline flying. Also, if you use SB3 you don't need to download any models from third party sources they are all included in the SB3 download.