VATSIM

[pilotgallagher01]

Hi folks,

I'm curious to find out what VATSIM is like, I know this is NZFF but can someone tell me what is VATSIM NZ?
Been to there website but it dosen't really say much at all, I know it's some online flying and forum but don't know what it is.
Im keen to sign up but would like to know what it's all about first.

Cheers

[Shamrock55]

In a nutshell, its a way of flying online with other people, some flying planes within Flight Simulator that you can see and hear and other people acting as air traffic controllers that you can speak to.

Its a great way to add realism to your flying, everyone follows real world rules and procedures for flying in and around controlled airspace. Too much to sum up really but if you go here: http://www.vatsim.net/vatsim/members/joinvatsim/ you can register and get started downloading the software you need.

Its by far the best free addon in the world for Flight Simultor and a really good tool to learn how real ATC works.

Thanks to the last 7 years flying online I found using the radio in real life during my PPL really easy!

Cheers

P

QUOTE (pilotgallagher01 @ May 23 2010, 06:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi folks,

I'm curious to find out what VATSIM is like, I know this is NZFF but can someone tell me what is VATSIM NZ?
Been to there website but it dosen't really say much at all, I know it's some online flying and forum but don't know what it is.
Im keen to sign up but would like to know what it's all about first.

Cheers

[Venge]

What is the tolerance towards noobs that may not know all the expected procedures? I bet I speak for a lot of people who haven't given it a go simply because they do not want to show up and exhibit a lack of knowledge and annoy others by not doing what is required.
Just seems a big leap to take a bit of what one has learned from FSX and then jumping in to something like VATSIM.

[LMerraine]

QUOTE (Venge @ May 23 2010, 04:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What is the tolerance towards noobs that may not know all the expected procedures? I bet I speak for a lot of people who haven't given it a go simply because they do not want to show up and exhibit a lack of knowledge and annoy others by not doing what is required.
Just seems a big leap to take a bit of what one has learned from FSX and then jumping in to something like VATSIM.

In NZ, I've always found them helpful, I'm not 100% up to date with everything there, but they will help to teach you what you need to know.

[cowpatz]

New comers are very welcome. Everybody has to start somewhere. I suggest that you visit VATSIM and have a good nosy around the website. Especially vatsim pilots/ quickstart guide. There is an area for pilots that describes what to do as well as general etiquette. Thinks like not spawning on the runway as it might be in use at the time!
Part of the software enables a flight plan to be sent and I suggest that you put "newbie" in the remarks section. That way you will be given as much assistance as possible. You can chat to the controllers (by way of PM if they are not busy) and ask any questions you may have. It is also helpful if you fly an aircraft that you are familiar with and that it has a good autopilot. This allows you to spend time concentrating on the ways of online flying instead of trying to do both.
Serv info and VATSPY are good free programs that you can look at and see who is flying or controlling online at anyone time and anywhere in the world.

[slopit12]

QUOTE (Venge @ May 23 2010, 09:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What is the tolerance towards noobs that may not know all the expected procedures? I bet I speak for a lot of people who haven't given it a go simply because they do not want to show up and exhibit a lack of knowledge and annoy others by not doing what is required.
Just seems a big leap to take a bit of what one has learned from FSX and then jumping in to something like VATSIM.

I joined VATSIM about two years ago and have never looked back; its totally changed the way I fly, for the better. I've never experienced as much excitement on flight sim as those early times in busy airspace! I've never learned so much so quickly as well.

In summary, you should join and see what you think, you might find you've been missing out on something really special for WAY too long!

When I joined VATSIM and flew with ATC for the first few times I knew hardly anything about real world procedures, I found the VATNZ people only too happy to oblige in helping me along the way (as they still do). No one will think your a dummy for not knowing something, all they ask is for you to read up some materials, and just be respectful and try and follow instructions. The dummys are the ones who just mess around and cause a pain, but those people are thankfully few and far between.

[pilotgallagher01]

Thanks for the quick replies, I'm just keen to get into it, being a PPL myself training towards my CPL, I would quite like to fly in something like this.
I will take a look and get into it, thanks guys

[deeknow]

QUOTE (pilotgallagher01 @ May 24 2010, 10:10 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I will take a look and get into it, thanks guys

Yeah, just do it. Sounds like you'll be off to a flying-start (scuse the pun) re the ATC banter and freq changes on the radio and navigation etc so you should have more fun actually flying online. It really adds such a radically new dimension to the activity. I dont fly offline any more really.

Once you taste VATSIM you'll never go back

[AlisterC]

Everyone starts out a newbie, even the guys who really know what they are doing. You're going to make some mistakes along the way. But it really is fun and challenging to fly like real life, and really fulfilling when you complete a 'clean' flight.
You won't find a better bunch of controllers to learn from than those in NZ, all a great bunch of guys. Jump online when they aren't busy though, and they'll be more than happy to concentrate just on you as a learner. (ie not during a big flyin with dozens of planes around)
Also a good idea to sit a listen for a while to the radio traffic during a busy fly in. Watch a plane arrive from 'centre' control, through approach and finally tower and ground. See what is said and why.
Make sure you know how to pilot your preferred aircraft, and you'll be fine.

[SUBS17]

I flew on VATSIM a couple of days ago with the VRS Superhornet its quite cool to fly in that enviroment although me and my wingman did get in trouble as we taxied without permission in Miramar and the controller for LAX was not happy.
Still alot of fun though and they were helpful while I did circuits.

[pilotgallagher01]

Cheers guys, I have signed up to VATSIM and VATNZ and downloaded and installed squawk box, just trying to figure out to get connected as I confused myself with the instuctions, am I looking for the VATSIM server then I open squawk box and try connect? that's the part I got puzzled with

[ZK-MAT]

Look here mate. I did this 4 years ago so things have changed a bit, but not much. You'll get the idea. The instructions are for FS9 though, FSX is a pretty much the same.

http://nzff.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=343

If you get stuck let me know, I can go online and chat to you over Teamspeak or similar to set it up.

[pilotgallagher01]

Yea i managed to get things working before I knew what was going on lol
All sorted now, just got to get used to it in FSX when theres people flying around, so much better than gamespy !

[gojozoom]

The first time I loaded squawkbox, and found myself in a "living" environment....it was the awesomness itself (I know this word doesn't exist). My hands were shaking...I just read about the communication terminologies, I hardly knew how to request a simple VFR clearance, and the fact that english is my second language, didn't make it easier either. Nowadays I don't really fly offline. Usually I "provide" VFR traffic for the VATNZ fly-outs on Sunday evenings. In the name of all VATSIM users I can say : The more traffic we generate, the bigger the fun we have....and the more I learn from it.... ..I mean the more WE learn from it.

[s0cks]

This still sounds scary. Is there anyway to "sit in" and have a listen and watch others before having to jump in the pilot's seat yourself?

[gojozoom]

Absolutely! First you have to check if there is any ATC online (www.vatnz.net). Load your aircaft at a gate/parking of any airport, set your radio to the live frequency (squawkbox will show that) and listen to the traffic.

[AlisterC]

Socks - If I'm doing that I tend to file a short flight plan with comments stating "newbie listening to frequency from parking - no flight intended" if you don't plan on heading out. Then ATC knows what you are up to and won't worry about you suddenly leaping to life and getting in the way of controlled traffic. I just wish I had more time available for vatnz.. I sat down on my computer for 10 minutes tonight to read a forum or two, and my wife was already giving me darnation for not helping out with the kids I hope simming is still around when I get to retire!

[cowpatz]

I hear you!!!!!!!!

[mfraser]

As a perspective from a real world Air Traffic Controller and PPL pilot - as well as a sim pilot - I can honestly say that the VatSimNZ guys are exceptional at what they do. The procedures and terminologies/phraseologies they use are pretty much mirror images of the real world environment. Like LMerraine, cowpatz and slopit12 have already said, when its quiet enough the controllers are more than happy to chat over the 'frequency' to help newbies along. Follow the advice above and you can't go wrong.

Just out of interest........ there are two ex-VatSimNZ controllers that are now working in real world ATC!!

(Albatross...... I feel your pain too mate!!)

[Ian Warren]

QUOTE (Albatross @ May 26 2010, 09:43 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I hope simming is still around when I get to retire!

Alister , Flight Sim is still going to be around ... the real feel , the best you can get? .. I am very sure it will be like total recall YOU WILL BE BACK!