MarkMy pleasure sir, the reason us New Pilot Mentors exist is because we remember what starting on Vatsim was like ourselves when such help wasn't available! You're doing the right thing by preparing first but don't let that stop you from getting online and having a go at a few simple flights just to get into the swing of things, you'll find that the first time you fly online you forget a huge amount of the reading in the adrenaline rush so take it in bite sized chunks. Start small and simple and build upwards.Us NPM's only exist on Vatsim UK but there is also an excellent new pilot program in operation at KZLA as well. Well worth checking out. Have a great Vatsim career, you'll never fly offline again!

Something like SimplatesX is a good option if you have pay for charts, it's a one time cost that covers the whole world.

Hi Bill, That is exactly what has happened - I got my Vatsim ID two weeks ago, and I have been hesitant about getting on as I didn't know as much as I should. So I did get on once, and flew a flight from Old Town Me to Bangor Me USA, and I promptly crashed on my approach into KBGR, a flight I have done suucessfully a few times before. :-)) But your words of encouragement are extremely valued, and one of my favorite flights is from London City airport to Heathrow. I fly this often having had the good fortune of spending holidays in your wonderful country and London specifically.Again, thank you for your reply, and in advance from all newbie pilots like myself for the services that NPMs like yourself render. The VERY BEST to you, Mark MaynardKBGR