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I'd read little bits here and there about VATSIM and it had started to appeal to me, but it took a bit of Dutch courage to finally download the software and get online, and frankly I haven't looked back since - so far I fly online when I get a chance, and I also now control
What exactly is VATSIM?
Well basically, VATSIM is a large and organised collection of servers which allows people to fly amongst other 'real' people, and it also offers human-provided and very realistic Air Traffic Control. It's operated mainly by voice to voice contact and it offers a highly superior experience to what can be found by default in FS, and in terms of realism, arguably a higher standard of service than it's closest competitor, IVAO.
How do I know whether I'll like it or not?
There's no real way of knowing unless you jump in head first and give it a go. It can be nerve-wracking, especially on your first flight and speaking to Air Traffic Control - I was bricking it, and about 90% of people do too, but there's no real reason to worry as there is lots of advice offered here on the VATSIM forums. You'll soon get used to it, and then quickly after that, hooked!
How do I get started?
First of all, you'll have to go to the VATSIM website located here, and then click the red link on the left scrollbar to sign up as a pilot, follow all of the instructions and you'll receive your ID number and a password which can be used to log into the servers. Once you've received those two pieces of information you're free to log on as a pilot, but not before you've downloaded some essential pieces of software.
You must download one of these pieces of software according to your own taste, personally I use squawkbox.
SquawkBox
FSInn
Bman Edit - It should be noted : FSInn 1.3 and CoPilot 1.7 are used for FSX. See here: http://www.mcdu.com/...opic.php?t=5003
Once one of those has been downloaded and installed you can sign into VATSIM for the very first time. Before diving in head first I'd recommend starting up at a smaller airport and listening into the ATC which is provided for the traffic there and familiarise yourself with the RT so you're not completely overwhelmed by the information given to you! A pen and piece of paper is a hot tip!
Before you do go flying on VATSIM, you're going to have to fill out a flight-plan describing exactly where you are going, please remember that you'd going to have to file air-routes which join intersections together, and if you're flying across the Atlantic, remember to use the NAT tracks. If you don't, you'll simply stress out any controllers who you happen to be in contact with during your flight
Here is some recommended flight planning software:
http://rfinder.asalink.net/free/ - this is my personal favourite.
https://www.notams.j...common/nat.html - NAT tracks which are updated daily.
A flight plan from Liverpool to Heathrow would look like this: NANTI L10 HON - cruise altitude FL190 or less (any odd FL).
How do I know where the ATC is being provided?
Unfortunately, there simply aren't enough people on VATSIM for every airport to be staffed at all hours 24/7, it's a shame but an inconvenient truth. For these reasons, instead of simply flying using the generic UNICOM (122.80) frequency which is used as a generic frequency where pilots can inform others of their intentions when there are no controllers online, some use the following software to plan their flights so that they can take advantage of online controllers.
Software includes:
VATSpy
Dolomynum
ServInfo
How can I see what I've done and where I've been in the past?
One of the brilliant features VATSIM offers is a website service called VATAware which is based off the real-world, flight aware. It allows you to see what you've done in the past, what others have done, airport traffic levels, and many things suchlike. Here is an example of Liverpool's stats.
I'm rather interested in controlling, where do I begin?
Becoming a controller on VATSIM is not as easy as becoming a pilot, there are many steps you must go through and plenty of hurdles to jump over. By the time you start controlling I imagine you'll be more familiar with VATSIM through flying as a pilot, but basically you'll have to join your local ATC group, for example, VATUK and then sign up to have an exam to get your Tower Controller's rating (S1), and from there you'll pick up on all of the bureaucracy involved and you'll have forgotten all about this startup guide.
I hope this helps and if anybody has any questions, just post them here and I or someone else will try and get back to you
Edited by Bman., 08 October 2008 - 09:06 AM.
FS got boring for me though, kinda sucks
You're posting on a Flight Sim forum you know?
