Mike hasn't responded-no doubt he's busy performing his Vatsim duties in the many many forums.I'm sure I can attempt at answering.Can we file PIC plans of our choosing?You certainly can, but you're best off looking up the preffered routing available on the Sectors ARTCC/VACC wesbite (I'll explain below) as it's more realistic and easier on ATC and workload.In your flightplan, you should include the desired SID and Star aswell as if you have charts for the airport.To find a preffered Routing, I look up the ARTCC website which gives you info on the procedures used and what to expect. You can find these wesbites by simply going to:Europe: http://vatsim-eur.org/eud/default.cfm?section=1⊂=0US: http://www.vatusa.org/html/index.phpAnd clicking on the desired country.As for Software-this can seem complex, but it'll become second nature to you until SB3 is released.I'll use abbreviations as I dont have much time so SB=Squakbox.Get SB here and SB relay here : www.vatsim.netIt's under software->download software on the left hand side.Follow the instructions for installation.The procedure to Starting it up is (bear with me).1) Start SBRELAY 1.22) Start FS and move to your gate(make sure you aint on the runway)3)Start SBHOST (could be in FS if you took that option)4)In FS, Goto MP session and click Join, make sure you select your callsign which you'll connect as. If you don't see a session just enter 127.0.0.1 and join.Nearly there ;)5) Start SB. Choose TCP/IP connection Click search and enter 127.0.0.1 It will find SBRELAY session. Click join Click to fly tab.You're done.You may need roger wilco-download it here(you need M3D version)www.rogerwilco.comYou need a PID(Pilot Identification number) and password.Register on the vatsim site,and enjoy.This seems like a lot, but as I said it becomes second nature,and soon you'll never fly offline again :)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

Well, I about ready to go. I've spend time listening to and watching ATC, read loads about protocol, routes, SIDS & STARS, and I'm even configured for Voice.If you don't mind, I've got a couple of daft questions. I'm sorry its a little OT for the 767 forum, but you guys have been extremely helpful.1. If I can't request clearance, due to no controller on duty in my vicinity, and I simply annouce my departure and go, what happens when I later enter controlled airspace? Do I request clearance "retrospectively"? Does the controller know where I'm going?2. If a CTR and APP are on duty at my destination, will the CTR controller be able to tell me which runway is in use, so I can get myself set up in plenty of time?Thanks once again.Bruce.

I will do my best to answer Bruce knowing that if I get it wrong Mike or someone will jump in :-)1)Have SB TCAS on and if there are no a/c near you just depart the airport staying to the correct SID/DP. You only need to announce your departure if other aircraft are in the vacinity and whos flight path may be in conflict with yours.So if TCAS shows and a/c within say 10 miles but above 10,000ft there should be no need to announce your departure.There are 2 courses of action open to you when you enter controlled airspace and it depends on what s/ware you have installed.If you have ServerInfo or FSNav you can see the airspace boundries, with Si you can see active FIRs, i.e. ones that have controllers, in FSNav there is no indication if the FIR has a controller or not.As you approach the boundry switch to that controller and announce your call sign and, if you know it, your position. Position can be founs from FSNav, the default GPS display or the a/c FMC if it is fitted.E.G. "BCA01. 10 miles South East of SITET"ATC should reply with something like"BCA01, radar identified, continue as filed" or whatever instruction they give you. You may be asked to refile your flight plan in which case just use the pop-up menu in SB and select 'File flight plan'.If you miss all that then expect a call from the controller when he see you in his airspace, he may contact you on voice, text or both so keep your ears alert to listen for your call sign.There is no need to ask for clearance again.2)It seems to depend on location and controller. I'm not sure of the official Vatsim ruling but at the very least Approach will give you runway in use ad that should be sufficient warning to allow you to organise yourself.You can also look on Si, a lot of APP controllers put runway in use in their text ATIS.If you check the weather at destination that also gives you a good clue as to which runway is in use, or at least which direction.Finally you can always ask the CTR controller for expected runway, they should be able to give it to you, especially if you have indicated in the flight plan remarks box that you are a new pilot.BTW As you have voice don't forget to put /V/ in the flight plan remarks box to let ATC know that you can receive and transmit on voice.HTH

Well that's it...I've done it, and it was almost completely successful. I chose EGCC to EGKK for my first flight, researched the route, printed the charts, and tonight I went for it.I almost got lost on the ground at Manchester because I could hardly see the lights, and after I got clearance to climb to cruising altitude I think the 767 caught my enthusiasm, because I couldn't hold it back - it accelerated well past 308 Knts. Reined it in eventually!The departure controller at Manchester congratulated me on being so well prepared for my first flight, and for that I have to thank you lot. Without your advice and encouragement I don't think I would have had the courage...the ATC chat is very intimidating when you sit and listen to it, but I found that once you're up there you only concentrate on your calls.I was vectored in to Gatwick, but that was where it all went wrong. By then I'd found the courage to disengage the automatics. Once established on the localizer I was passed to the tower, but when I called....nothing! I checked the frequency, and that I was still connected, but nothing. Distracted by this I missed the glideslope intercept. I called for vectors to bring me around again but still nothing. Still distracted, my IAS had dropped terminally low, and the 767 took up the attitude of a brick. I disconnected before I dug a big hole in the South Terminal.Despite the ending I am very pleased with myself, but that's enough for tonight. I have to say I cannot now see how I could ever again get any satisfaction from taking instructions from the FS2K2/4 ATC.I'm off for a very large drink. Thanks again for all your help and advice.Bruce.

>I'm off for a very large drink<:-lol Been there, done that, and not only on my first flight ;-)>I have to say I cannot now see how I could ever again get any satisfaction from taking instructions from the FS2K2/4 ATC.

You've met my wife?Gatwick tower was certainly on voice, I was getting clear "transmit" signals in my ear, but no-one speaking. Suspect internet or microphone problems.2 things I will be doing:1. Doing this VATSIM thing lots, lots more. Serious, I mean SERIOUS (sorry for shouting...that's the drink now!) buzz.2. Keep the automatics on until I'm much, much more confident. I'm getting more than enough satisfaction from the interactive ATC without hand-flying the 767.Right...back to the wine...Bruce.

Bruce,it's a good idea to leave the Autopilot on until your on the Localiser and Glideslope. Switch it off once you've contacted the tower. I know it's less time hand flying the aircraft, but it makes life a bit easier.

Way to go Bruce, welcome to VATSIM.John, Vulcan, and Mark,Thanks for jumping in for me there (great answers). You guys really know what your doing and I really appreciate the help. We are moving the primary VATSIM home page link for support to point here at AVSIM (the VATSIM Support Forum) and I hope you guys stop by over there as often as possible to help with the new member questions.

No problem mike,I always like to help new people join such an incredible community like Vatsim. Especially when they are a fellow PIC flyer-it means they are out there striving for realism ;)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

No longer a complete newbie. Just a partial one I suppose. I have now completed a successful flight from filing of the flight plan to shut down, EIDW to EGSS and although I missed the localiser intercept again, I was far enough away to catch it from the other side and the controller was most helpful.I've got to add my voice now to any other waverers who have been reading this thread, the buzz and the exhilaration you get from interacting with live controllers has absolutely no comparison in the (what I now regard as) dull and predictable FS2K2/4 ATC. Yes, I have put time and effort into learning the procedures, protocols, language etc, but the process has been enjoyable, the various web resources are extremely interesting, but the reward of the buzz and the sheer realism of the whole thing outweigh the investment (of time, not money!) 10 times over. I am never, ever going to use the computer generated atc again.What adds to the experience is the PIC767 itself, as John has said. It is so much more involved than the stock 737/747/777, and the FMC of course comes into its own. When I'm told to route directly to Barkway, 3 presses on the FMC buttons enter and execute the course alteration.Thanks again to Mike, Mark, John and all the others who have contributed to my conversion.I am never going back, and I urge others to follow.Bruce

>Especially when they are a fellow PIC>flyer-it means they are out there striving for realism ;)watch it there mate...we DC8 jocks strive for realism as well ;-),and we do it without fancy fmc thingy's :-lol

Well Bruce, after that post I think I can safely say, on behalf of the others "Welcome to the Vatsim fraternity" :-)But remember what I said about a social life :-lolBTW I don't get on Vatsim as often as I like but keep an eye open for BCA01 and say 'Hi'

That I will Vulcan. Thanks to you as well for your advice. I guess I gushed a bit in that last post but I was just so amazed at discovering this whole other flight simming community just on the other side of my modem that until recently I was completely unaware of!I mean what I say though..I'm never going back, even if it means no ATC. I can still chat with anyone I meet coming the other way.Bruce.