Hi all,As it obvious that there are a lot of on-line experienced pilots on the PIC767 forum, here is a copy of 2 posts that wrote on the Squawkbox forum.First post:I am totally new to on-line flying and I am "digging" before "diving" into it. I downloaded SB, Servinfo (and Roger Wilco). I worked the tutorials and got to the connection step where I am kind of stuck:Most of the time, I can't connect to any of the available Vatsim servers (as given by Servinfo) and I get back the msg " the specified address is not available from the local machine". Sometimes, I get "the attempt to connect was forcelly rejected". So I try again and again, switching from one available IP address (like 209.61.182.205) to another one and eventually, after giving it a try 10 or 15 times, I get connected.So my questions are:- what is the meaning of the msgs I get back when my connection fails?- how can I trick the system to get a reliable connection process ?Second post:After my post on connection issues, here are some of the questions I still have in mind, even though I read the SB tutorial or manual. Keep in mind I only know on on-line flying what I think I understood from the manuals (no experience so far):1- what is the difference between Vatsim and Ivao? Which one should I try first?2- Is it better to get started, to communicate with the controllers in writting (chat box) or by voice (Roger Vilco)?3- Do I really need to have (and to get use to) ALL the charts of where I intent to fly or can I imagine to rely on the controllers for those I don't have?4- Is there any place around where it is admissible to speak french?5- Is there any point to fly in areas where there is no controllers on line?6- If for example, in the area I want to fly, the only on-line controller is a "Center" controller, how do I have to start my flight? Should I place to him my Clearance request or should I take off and take contact with him when I would have been handed over to him by any "Approach" controller?Sure, I will have some other questions as I go forward....(End of second post)... other questions like:7- Is there any interest in flying PIC767 (or PSS aircraft) using the squawkbox FMS? It might not be even possible... 8- I am using FSBuilt 1.4 (eagerly waiting for version 2.0) and it seems to be quite apropriate. Is FSMeteo recommanded when flying on line?Sorry for this long post and thank you for having read it!Bien amicalementMichelKSEA

Hi Michel:Your have a lot of questions and I am not as knowledgeble as others but I think I can answer some of your questions:As far as the connection problems I'm not sure what is the problem in that regard. Make sure that all the proper information is displayed in the connection box (i.e. Vatsim # and password). If you are going thru a firewall that can also affect your connection.1. The primary differences between Vatsim and Ivao are the number of controller and pilot membership. Vatsim has a great deal more coverage and resources. That being the case Vatsim is the way to go first.2. While I prefer voice, as a pilot starting out you may want to stick to text and at the same time listen to voice communications. Once you feel comfortable with the lingo by all means chat away.3. It is preferred that you, the pilot, have the appropriate charts on hand in case of diversions or what have you. However, most controllers will guide you in if necessary, depending on how busy the airspace is at the time.4. I would imagine if you fly in French airspace and you clear it with the controller you can receive and transmit in French. I also believe the eastern parts of Canada can also accomodate you.5. If you fly in uncontrolled airspace you should still announce your intentions when on approach, departure and taxing. Also you never know when a controller will pop-up. So there is a point to flying, even in uncontrolled airspace.6. You should always file your clearance in this order GND/DEL, TWR, DEP/APP, CTR. In otherwords if no other positions are available then you would file with CTR.7. "Is there any interest in flying PIC767 (or PSS aircraft) using the squawkbox FMS? It might not be even possible..." Michel, this is the last place you want to ask a question like that. I'll make this quick. NO!!!8. You can use Vatsim weather or FSMeteo but you should indicate in your flight plan that you are using FSMeteo as sometimes Vatsim and FSMeteo weather differs.I hope this helps you, and please re-read number 7.

>Hi all, >>As it obvious that there are a lot of on-line experienced >pilots on the PIC767 forum, here is a copy of 2 posts that >wrote on the Squawkbox forum. >>First post: >I am totally new to on-line flying and I am "digging" before >"diving" into it. I downloaded SB, Servinfo (and Roger >Wilco). I worked the tutorials and got to the connection >step where I am kind of stuck: >>Most of the time, I can't connect to any of the available >Vatsim servers (as given by Servinfo) and I get back the msg >" the specified address is not available from the local >machine". Sometimes, I get "the attempt to connect was >forcelly rejected". So I try again and again, switching from >one available IP address (like 209.61.182.205) to another >one and eventually, after giving it a try 10 or 15 times, I >get connected. >>So my questions are: >- what is the meaning of the msgs I get back when my >connection fails? >- how can I trick the system to get a reliable connection >process ? >I have been connecting to the USA-S2 server for almost two years without problems. I would suggest you PING the servers using the Network Servers page to see which one is the fastest or nearest server to you. Setup your connection to that server and leave it. There is really no need to change servers unless the server you use regularly is down.A "forceful rejection" usually means you are trying to log on with an incorrect password. After you set up Squawkbox for the first time, it retains your Pilot ID and Password so there is no need to enter them every time you log on.I suggest you download HostSB from the AVSIM library. It's a small module that allows you to use Squawkbox from within FS2002 so you don't have to be switching between programs.>Second post: >After my post on connection issues, here are some of the >questions I still have in mind, even though I read the SB >tutorial or manual. >>Keep in mind I only know on on-line flying what I think I >understood from the manuals (no experience so far): >>1- what is the difference between Vatsim and Ivao? Which one >should I try first? >>2- Is it better to get started, to communicate with the >controllers in writting (chat box) or by voice (Roger >Vilco)? >>3- Do I really need to have (and to get use to) ALL the >charts of where I intent to fly or can I imagine to rely on >the controllers for those I don't have? >It is not absolutely necessary to have charts but it's advisable. Just go to http://vatsim.net/ and choose the region you want to fly in the right hand column, follow the links and you'll find the charts for the area there.>4- Is there any place around where it is admissible to speak >french? >>5- Is there any point to fly in areas where there is no >controllers on line? >>6- If for example, in the area I want to fly, the only >on-line controller is a "Center" controller, how do I have >to start my flight? Should I place to him my Clearance >request or should I take off and take contact with him when >I would have been handed over to him by any "Approach" >controller? >>Sure, I will have some other questions as I go forward.... >>(End of second post) >>... other questions like: >>7- Is there any interest in flying PIC767 (or PSS aircraft) >using the squawkbox FMS? It might not be even possible... >>8- I am using FSBuilt 1.4 (eagerly waiting for version 2.0) >and it seems to be quite apropriate. Is FSMeteo recommanded >when flying on line? >You can choose to use FS Meteo, ActiveSky wxRE, or VATSIM weather. I'm currently using ActiveSky and I usually don't have any problems although its possible to have differing altimeter readings if you aren't using VATSIM weather. Just put a note in the Squawkbox note area that you're using weather software other than VATSIM.>Sorry for this long post and thank you for having read it! >>Bien amicalement >>Michel >KSEA

What Lamont and Stiffy said......... Agreed!When you do get on line. Use Servinfo to see who all is on line as a pilot. Anything you type on the chat line goes out public on that frequency (your com 1 freq). You can, however, send a private message to them on text if you need a bit of help. No one will see that but them if you type the first part correctly. For instance, if you saw me on line with my normal callsign (AAL327), you would address me like this:.MSG AAL327 Hello Mike, It's Michel from KSEA. You available for question?Note that the line is preceded by a . (period), you must start the line with the (period) followed by a (space) then the persons callsign in use at that time. This also works for controllers. .MSG SEA_V_TWR I am a newbee, can I ask a question?Remember the . at the beginning.

Lamont,Thanks a lot for your answers.Sorry for having asked question 7. I just wanted to get confirmation to make sure I was not missing any point. I am not sure I will need to read again your answer as it is pretty clear and furthermore, it makes big sens to me !!Bien amicalementMichelKSEA

Again, great info!!What would I do without you, guys !!Thks.Bien amicalementMichelKSEA

Just so you know...I think I found out the pb I had to get connected.It seems that the Windows function Copy/Paste does not work properly to enter the Server address in the apropiate Squawbox window. When entering in manually, the connection comes right away...Bien amicalementMichelKSEA