Etiquette and usage questions for SB

[Guest pmangiafico]

Hi Folks,I'm a new online pilot (and relatively new FS pilot in general), and after my first online flight, I've got a few questions that I haven't located in the FAQ's or guides. Any responses are appreciated:1. When I am provided with a squawk code by a controller, is it enough to dial it into the FS2002 radio set and ensure that SB is *not* squawking standby?2. The UNICOM frequency (122.8) is used anywhere in the country there is no controller, correct?3. Is there a non-instrusive way to make sure that my Roger Wilco set-up is working? Or the first time I try to use it, should I just do a "testing..testing.." thing after identifying myself?4. The guides state what to do if you only have limited controllers: you step "up" the chain (i.e. if no clearance or ground, contact tower first). However, what happens if there is a clearanace or ground but no "higher" up the chain, like tower or center? Once the clearance has approved my flight plan, do I just switch to Unicom and off I go? Or should I expect clearance/ground/etc. to perform the duties of tower/departure/etc. if those controllers aren't available?5. I didn't have a departure chart for the airport I took off from last night - I was just using FSNav to help me with GPS-direct navigation (and my flight planning). Is that a bad idea? Should I wait until I want to add in the challenge of real-life departure and arrival routes to play online or will controllers and other pilots be OK as long as I follow the controller's commands and the general rules ATC? I imagine controllers would be more accomodating at less busy airports.6. When I build the flight plan in FSNav, it wants to know the departure runway - what happens if clearance approves my flight plan based on one departure runway but the tower/ground guides me to another? Am I making too big of a deal about this?7. I read that on a long flight it is advisable to disconnect and then reconnect when you are closer to arrival. Is there any etiquette for this process? I am worried about just disappearing off the virtual radar and then reappearing later without warning.Cheers! PetePS Any other "hints" or web-links beyond the obvious items I have found (and printed) from FAQ's and Guides on the web are appreciated.

[Vulcan]

First of all Pete, welcome to this very absorbing section of flight simming.As a new pilot I suggest you put in the SB flighplan remarks box something to indicate you are a new pilot. Such as "Newbie", "Student pilot". That way ATC will be ready to forgive any mistakes and also offer you help when you need it.1)You are correct. All you have to do is dial the numbers into the FS transponder and untick 'squwak standby' in the SB menu.However, most controllers prefer you to stay in standby mode until you are at the hold, which is a problem for people like me who then forget to go to mode 'Charlie' :D If the controller wants you in normal mode he will ask.2) Almost correct. UNICOM is for use anywhere in the World, not just country specific.3) RW should be set up correctly if you have gone through the configuration steps of it correctly. Once set there should be no reason to change the volume settings especially if you use a headset and microphone.If you do want to check while on line just call up the controller and ask for a radio check, he/she wil call back with a simple report of how they hear you.Example"Ground. Radio check, BCA01""BAC01, strength 5" The higher the number the 'stronger' your voice, 5 is the highest number, 1 or 2 would mean they can hardly hear you.4) If you start off with ATC stay with them. As you get out of their range and they cannot pass you on to another ATC they will tell you.There are various phrases used"BCA01, radar service terminated, resume own navigation, frequency change approved""BCA01. You are leaving my airspace, frequency change approved"The words to watch out for before switching frequency are "frequency change approved". If you don't hear that then stay with that controller."Resume own navigation" does not mean you can fly where you like, it means continue on your filed flight path.5)It is recommened that you do get used to reading departure and arrival charts (and flying them of course) for on line flying. You can practice them off line so you feel comfortable with them.If you do not have charts DO NOT put a SID or STAR in your flightplan, if you do ATC will expect you to fly those procedures.When ATC give you clearance such as "WOBURN 3 departure....." You must reply "Unable WOBURN 3. Vectors please" This tells the controller that you cannot fly the assigned SID.Don't do this at busy airports or during major fly-ins, you will upset controllers who are trying to control upwards of 30 -100 aircraft!If it is quiet you can also ask for vectors when you ask for clearance."Request IFR clearance to xxxx. No charts, vectors out please" Or something similar.Having said all that once you get used to using SIDs & STARs the enjoyment and satisfaction level jump up significantly :-)6)It shouldn't cause you a big problem IF you have a correct flight plan. The main bit of your route, known as the en-route phase, consists of a series of waypoints and airways. The bits at each end are the SIDs & STARs.A SID will take you from the airport (in some cases from a specific runway) to that first waypoint of the en-route phase. So a change of runway would just involve a change of SID, if you were using charts.Without charts and SIDs it still shouldn't matter because ATC will vector you from the runway to that first waypoint and so you can continue with your flight.7) When you fly on line you must always be on the flightdeck, even if there is no ATC. On Vatsim if you do not respond to any voice or text call within a 30 minute period you will get disconnected and suspended for 24 hours (I think). So there is no 'need' to disconnect if you abide by those rules.If you have ATC contact and wish to leave the flightdeck (PC) for a short time advise the controller that you are leaving the flightdeck for x minutes. ATC will advise if you can do this or if you must disconnect.If you wish to leave for a long time you will be asked to disconnect, if a short period you may be allowed to remain connected, depends on circumstances.If you wish to disconnect and are in contact with ATC then you must tell them you are disconnecting.Reconnecting is always a problem for me. You are not supposed to reconnect in the path of other aircraft, but how do you know where they are if you are not connected?My best advice, if you are continuing flying off line, is to pause the sim, slew up above normal cruise altitude and rejoin SB in squwak standby mode.Open up the SB TCAS and make sure there are no other aircraft near you, if there are slew out of the way.Find out which controller is in charge of the airspace you are in and give him/her a call, just your callsign.He/she shoudl come back with something like "BCA01, pass your message"Tell them where you are '10 miles South of Biggin VOR, FL450' and that you are paused and wish to rejoin at flight level xxx.ATC should then check that all is clear and approve your rejoin. Use slew mode to get down to your requested FL and then unpause the sim and continue flying and squwak normal.It is also worth asking the controller if they want you to change your squwak code.HTH

[Guest pmangiafico]

Thanks for all the great feedback! Much appreciated.Cheers!- Pete