You know...I'm a pretty smart guy, but this on-line flying stuff is tough! I have done it successfully before and have done all the requisite reading. Just a couple of things still escape me though. 1)When you leave a controller's airspace, how do you know where to go next if there isn't a controller in adjacent airspace? 2)When you do arrive in new airspace that is controlled, how do you know? 3)How do you change over to that controller and his/her RW channel? 4)If you start in an uncontrolled area, how do you know when you enter one and what to tune to? 5)Can you change your VATSIM password? Thanks all!Boyd BarkerSenior Command CaptainBOS Hub ManagerWestWind Airlineshttp://home.houston.rr.com/checklist/DFexperience.jpghttp://home.houston.rr.com/checklist/checklist.htmlMy DF737 Around the World Adventure: http://home.houston.rr.com/checklist/aroundtheworld.html

Hi and welcome to the wonderful world of simming :).For your first question when you leave contolled airspace and noadjacent atc is available you should monitor unicom 122.8. If youstart descending for an approach you should announce your intentionsand any pilots in the area will be monitoring the same channel.For your second question - if you have charts you may be ableto tell when you have entered the next ARTCC area and if you don't,often the controller will pvt you telling you to contact him. Ifyou aren't sure, you can always contact him and ask him if he wantsyou to stay with him, he will tell you if you are out of his area (or he is too busy to assist you).Changing should be easy enough and is now automated. When you lookon the list of active atc (provided you understand the designations)you just double click. This will bring up his atis and RW shouldchange to his server and channel - all going well. If RW fails toconnect you will at least be on his text channel and can get you started until you can switch RW successfully.Hope this helps and good luck flying. BTW most controllers are qute helpful for new pilots when they know so its not a bad ideato put Newbie in the remarks!Blue skiesBlayne M.Fal207

Blayne, Great info. Thanks! When you said list of active ATC, where is that list? Is that in the right click menu from the SB box? Thanks.Boyd BarkerSenior Command CaptainBOS Hub ManagerWestWind Airlineshttp://home.houston.rr.com/checklist/DFexperience.jpghttp://home.houston.rr.com/checklist/checklist.htmlMy DF737 Around the World Adventure: http://home.houston.rr.com/checklist/aroundtheworld.html

Affirmative. Right click on SB and when you seeATC Directory you will see all controllers withinrange. (Controllers Not within range can be found by other means which can wait for later.)The problem is knowing which code is the one you want - usually for long range it wouldbe _CTR not _APP etc. Some will be fairly obvious like CLE_V_CTR is Cleveland but CZYZ_V_CTRis less so (Toronto)! Don't forget if you are unsure you can contact acontroller and ask if you are in the right channel,if not he should give you the correct call sign and freq for you.Blayne M.FAL207

Ok, so I need SquawkBox, ServInfo, and Roger Wilco. How about HostSB? What does HostSB do? Anything else?Boyd BarkerSenior Command CaptainBOS Hub ManagerWestWind Airlineshttp://home.houston.rr.com/checklist/DFexperience.jpghttp://home.houston.rr.com/checklist/checklist.htmlMy DF737 Around the World Adventure: http://home.houston.rr.com/checklist/aroundtheworld.html

SB Host is used with FSIM2002 to anchor your SB in a smaller, sizeablewindow you can keep on your main window to avoid having to switchback an forth.Before starting SqwakBox, from your FSIM menu bar select Modules,then SBHost and you will have a blank box open, then when you startup SBox it will be anchored here. You can size it as needed, thenminimize it and park it on your panel.Don't forget SBox comes with a built in FMS (Click the F button toactivate) and the TCAS/EFIS (Click the E button). The FMS hasan ACARS function which will let you check the metar for any airportand saves you asking ATC for updates.Blayne M.FAL207

Do you still have to execute SBHost and SB Main Program if you have already initiated the HostSB module?Boyd BarkerSenior Command CaptainKBOS Hub ManagerWestWind Airlineshttp://home.houston.rr.com/checklist/DFexperience.jpghttp://home.houston.rr.com/checklist/checklist.htmlMy DF737 Around the World Adventure: http://home.houston.rr.com/checklist/aroundtheworld.html

Hi BoydHostSB is a substitute for SB Host that is shipped with SB. Thus you run HostSB instead of SB Host. Then start SB Main Program as usual.Hope it helps