My first post on this forum. I purchased 767PIC a few months ago, and staggered by its depth, complexity and completeness I haven't flown anything else since. I have lurked on this forum a lot, and and questions that have cropped up have been answered by searching this forum.However, encouraged by some of the recent posts here, I really to want to have a go at flying online. Quite frankly, I can't think of doing it in anything other than the 767. My question is, where is the best place to do it, and also what is the best time? I notice from ServInfo that many areas have only 1 controller. Would this allow me to get the best experience of ground/tower/departure/approach etc interaction?All responses very, very much appreciated.Bruce.

If you want to use the 767 and get full use of all controllers. I suggest going Over the Atlantic. KORD-EGLL. Make sure you get it right or you're all alone and that sucks.If you want to stay under 5hours, do KJFK-KLAX. or in Europe. EGLL-EDDF. EGLL/EDDF seem to be the most stocked FIR's on vatsim. GOod luck, and have fun. If you want an even bigger rush, use Vatsim with Voice, THAT is fun ;-)"... AND I'M PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!"[b/]

Finding the time to do more than a few hours is tricky (wife, kids etc!) and being a Brit I would really like to give Heathrow a go, but it seems fairly intimidating. I'm going to sit at a quiet gate first and watch the chatter - another tip I've picked up here.Thanks for replying....Frankfurt here I come!!

God god, whatever you do-make sure you're first flight is not out of or into EGLL!This is because can get extremely busy, they use the real world procedures and they expect a very high standard of Piloting.Even the taxi clearance can be overwhelming! I recently got a taxt clearance like the following:"Speedbird 855 taxi rwy 27Left via the Inners to block XX then take the outers to holding point block YY, give way to the company 737 you are number 2".Now this is exactly what I want, I love this realism but for a "newbie" it is pretty daunting.My advice? EGKK->EIDW which is usually fully staffed and only 1.20 hours long.EGKK is a lovely airport as it's still busy, real world procedures but the runway is always easy to find ;)Enjoy it and give us some feedback!JohnP 2.53 GHZ512 RAMWINXPGFORCE 4 128MB Ti4600http://homepage.eircom.net/~eamonnmca/images/logo_ba.JPGwww.bavirtual.co.uk Senior Captain Simflight.com Staff Reviewerhttp://vatsim.pilotmedia.fi/statusindicato...tor=OD1&a=a.jpg

"This is because can get extremely busy, they use the real world procedures and they expect a very high standard of Piloting"yes indeed, the DEMAND a great expertise, unfortunately, most of the time they don't receive great expertised pilotage....hint: use EBBR-LIMC as a primary flight, it's a perfect lenght and takes you through some of the more difficult aspects of flying the bird, programming the fmc etc etc...(the mountains make it nice)Do not fly in the US, as most (and i say MOST) have departures ala " radar vectors till xxxx" ...Cheers

I agree with Macs Bruce, don't use Heathrow for your first flights, try Manchester or Birmingham, much less complex taxiway system.For the same reasons I would avoid EHAM and EDDF, both complex airports in and out.Why not a short UK hop? Say EGCC - EGPH/EGPF/EGAA/EIDWYou can get all the relevant charts for the UK so you shouldn't have any problems with the SID/STARs.Enjoy the experience, oh, and DO use Roger Wilco with the connection set to SLOW MODEM, it is much easier using voice than text.

Thanks for all your replies.EGLL will be...er...put to one side for now. Thanks for the tip. I'll have a go at all the suggested routes and airports before I get near the more challenging locations. I'm a bit daunted by that taxi clearance John, what with FS2K2 having no taxiway signs!Anyway, thank you all once again, and I'll let you know how I get on.Bruce.

There are a number of taxiway signs available here in the avsim library Bruce but not sure if any have been done for the UK, just use the airport code as a search parameter.If you do a lot of flying in the UK, and can afford it, have a look at Gary Summons' excellent scenery.http://www.uk2000scenery.bizland.com/puplic/index.htmRgds

Bruce,I am glad you decided to take the plunge. Making the decision to "sit" somewhere and "listen" is the best place to start. Too many people who start out on The Zone or other multiplayer sessions and try jumping in on VATSIM thinking it will be not so different and then cause headaches for themselves and everyone within 100 miles by not following an acceptable level of communications with the controllers. As you sit and listen, remember to put "Newbee" or "New Member" in your comment section of the flight plan and to add a couple words indicating your intentions. By listening to others, you will get a good feel of the flow of communications.The best place to take your first flight differs from individual to individual. For most, that would be a VFR flight in a single engine aircraft at smaller airports. Adding "Newbee first flight" to the flight plan comments will really help by allowing the controllers work with you better, even spoon feeding you if necessary. Just remember that just as we have new pilots, we also have new controllers. So do not expect the same level of skill (read

Further to Mike's Post.We all like to hand fly PIC as much as possible, but in busy ATC environments it does no harm to use the Automatics as this will reduce workload.

Excellent reply Mike, you really are getting into your new 'job' :-)Good luck with it, I can't think of a better person.Rgds

Gentlemen, thank you all.I really do appreciate the guidance offered, and thanks Mike for taking the time to provide all that advice.As soon as the opportunity arises (eg kids in bed, wife working a night shift) I will hit the skies online, and I have to say I'm really looking forward to it.Bruce.

...snip...>Step 4: CHANGE COM 1 FREQUENCY...>C. Use a Squawkbox dot command in the chat window by>entering .x 2210 (that is a period at the beginning followed>by x followed by a space followed by the last 4 digits of>the frequency (for 122.10 you would enter 2210)good post Mike, except ".x 2210" would set your transponder code. To change your com1 frequency, type ".c 128.55" (period, "C", space, frequency).Brian - ZNY

Ahh, is that the King to the rescue?Thanks Brian, I was dead wrong in my post. That is what I get for typing about a feature I don't use and rushed through the reference checks.See ya on the Expressway Visual to 31 sometime soon I hope.

Mike,Thank you for writing the above message. For some time I have been interested in checking out what VATSIM is all about and possibly using it to get a more realistic PIC experience. Your info has helped to fill in some of the gaps. Thanks again.A couple of quick questions;Can we file PIC plans of our choosing? Or, do we select from pre-planned flights that are already set up with VATSIM?Any chance you can give us a quick and dirty on the software we need to get up and running with PIC?