We welcome you to our new Internet Relay Chat (IRC) based chat system. This system is still being refined and we are working on user notes to assist you in getting into the chat system. There are two ways you can access the AVSIM chat system. You can use an IRC Client, explained below, or you can use a simple web-based chat page. If you wish to use the web-based system, please go to our web-based chat access page.

Once you have have downloaded and installed the MIRC client, we strongly recommend that you READ its manual. An IRC client can be intimidating for first time users, so please read the manual before you log on to the AVSIM IRC Server.

Now that you have your client set up, things are easy. Just connect to the AVSIM IRC Server at irc.avsim.net. Your IRC client will connect you to the AVSIM Flight Simulation Chat System and you are now online and ready to join a "channel". Much like your television, the IRC system allows for the creation and use of many "channels" for discussing any topic related to simulation you can imagine. To make things easier for first time users, we have created some permanent channels that you can join right away. To join a channel, simply type in "/join #channelname", without the quotes. Replace "#channelname" with any of the following:

• #generalchat : general chat room -- try here first!
• #atc : for online ATC such as VATSIM and IVAO
• #bfu : for the Bush Flying Unlimited folks
• #combatsim : for combat simulations
• #design : for scenery, panel and aircraft design discussions
• #fly : for Terminal Reality's FLY series
• #fu3 : for Looking Glass' Flight Unlimited Series
• #msfs : for Microsoft's Flight Simulation Series
• #racingfools : for the land racing types
• #trainsim : for train simulation enthusiasts

• #auditorium : where we will hold hosted discussions
• #2003convention : where we will hold discussions on the upcoming 2003 Convention at MAAM
• #private : AVSIM Staff's private chat area