I'm trying to get back into Online flying again after 3 years 'in the wilderness', due to so many programs needed in those days; and the sudden com. breakdowns.Could someone tell me what is the minimum needed now. I have Fs9, FSNav., FSUIPC (Regd. version), SB3. I am a VATSIM Member. Do I need anything else?KenSomerset, England

Nope - you have all you need :).Yours,Martin Georg/EDDFVATSIM Europe Division Director *** mailto:[email protected]http://online.vatsimindicators.net/811874/957.png

Hi Martin,Now that's what I call a 'John Wayne' reply; short on words, but strong on meaning :)Thank you, I'll get started then.KenSomerset, England

It all depends on what YOU want to do, although Martin is right, it's also not accurate :)Yes, you DO have the basics.

Hello Paul,Aah! So there's more? I thought it seemed too easy :) What else do I need, apart from training?KenSomerset. England

Hi KenFrom the point of view of need as opposed to desire, you don't NEED FsNav but I wouldn't fly without it. However, at busy airports it will probably cause stuttering if you have Multiplayer>Connect turned on. I usually use it to get a visual picture of what's happening around me but disconnect it during take off or on approach to landing if the airport is particularly busy.Another highly desirable but non-essential programme is ServInfo. I never fly online without this running too. Available at Avism and all good download sites.Paul Croft10 miles SE of EGLL

Hi Paul,Thanks for the info. Like you, I nowadays use FSNav. for background info; it's gives me positional info (stops me from getting lost!) also helps with flight plans. For the past 18 months or so, I have been using the fs9's own Flightplanner; which combined with fs9's own ATC, has taught me to fly my aircraft manually instead of 'all the way AP'. Automated ATC is great fun, especially when they instruct you to descend from fl140 to 1000'; then suddenly come back with 'descend to 1600':)! I wonder whether these 'mistakes' are 'in the script' to give pilots a fright, or the recording 'slipping a cog'?I do have Servinfo (not used it yet), also have AVC (Advanced Voice Client), is it necessary to have AVC or RW?In the next couple of days I'll park myself (with aircraft) in a quiet area at EGLL (Heathrow); is there such a place at Heathrow? :) - and listen to some RT for a while, then try a flight.I appreciate your help very much.Happy flying,KenSomerset, England

Hi, Ken. Since you say you're back from having flown before, I'm sure you're familiar with VATSIM's flight procedures (for where you want to fly). Martin was right. You have all you need. Welcome back. -- L. James-----------------L. D. [email protected]/~ljames

Ken you have all you need to get started.ServInfo is an extra valuable tool.http://avsim.com/hangar/utils/servinfo/Kyprianos Biris :-cool[link:hvacc.org]Hellenic vACChttp://vateur.org/staff/vateur_m.jpghttp://online.vatsimindicators.net/810309/3.png

Hi KenI still have RW and AVC but only because I haven't uninstalled them yet. They were necessary for the old version of Squawkbox but it is my understanding that they are wholly unnecessary for the new version.Parking up at a busy airport and listening to the RT traffic is a great way to get a feel for what is happening and how things work. However, once you feel ready to join in the fun I would recommend that you find a quieter airfield for your first flight. I started at Hawarden. There is a wealth of help available here and it's a great place for those early forays into Vatsim. Check out http://www.hawarden.org.uk/ HTH, and look forward to seeing you in the skies soon,Paul Croft15 miles north of EGKK

Hi Paul,Thanks for the info. I did join Hawarden Virtual Airport some while ago, but did not persue it after I stopped my online flying. On reading your comments I went back to the Hawarden Website to try and update my email address etc; I changed the details, then Andy King sent me an email to revisit the site to confirm my details. For some reason the boxes were 'frozen' and would not accept any text? Andy asked me to confirm my browser; I replied "IE6". I've heard nothing from him since :). Is he on holiday?Many thanks to everyone for their replies, I'm well on the way to resuming Online flying; with the help of VATSIM Online Pilot Resources.KenSomerset, England