I am considering flying online. I would like to know the following before embarking on my online journey.1. What sofware will I need to fly on VATSIM, and where can I get it. I am assuming I need SquakBox 3 or SB3. Anything else?I will be upgrading my dial up moded to DSL soon.2. I have a microphone, and I assume that one has the option of using text or voice. Is a special program needed for voice?3. It would be difficult to type text and fly at the same time. Is there software that will automatically set the radios and transponder, as is the case in FS9?4. I understand there is no A1 traffic on line. Therefore this means that software such as MY TRAFFIC and GERMAN AIRPORTS will not operate on line. Is this correct?5. Can I see other planes that are flying on line? Is a special program needed to do this?6. I use FSBuild and Flight Sim Commander 7 to create flight plans. Will I be able to use flight plans created by this software when flying on line?7. I fly mostly PMDG 737NG 60/700. The SIDS and STARS I fly are those built into my flight plan. I imagine I will need to know how to fly SIDS and STARS on the fly as directed by a flight controller. Is there any tutorial on how to do this? I have only one ADF VOR instrument on my PMDG aircraft. Will this be a problem?Thank you.Stanner

Hi Stanner,Welcome to Vatsim!>I am considering flying online. I would like to know the>following before embarking on my online journey.>>1. What sofware will I need to fly on VATSIM, and where can I>get it. I am assuming I need SquakBox 3 or SB3. Anything>else?>I will be upgrading my dial up moded to DSL soon.>Only SB3 is required. If you are using Windows 98 or ME you will have to use FSInn and AVC instead, as SB3 isn't quite that retrocompatible. You can downalod them from the "New Pilots" link at www.vatsim.net You don't NEED any other programs. However ServInfo is a wonderful little program which tells you which controllers and pilots are online worldwide.you can fly perfectly well on 56K. Broadband is just a bonus.>2. I have a microphone, and I assume that one has the option>of using text or voice. Is a special program needed for>voice?SB3 has built in voice capabilities. FSInn needs AVC to provide the voice bit.>3. It would be difficult to type text and fly at the same>time. Is there software that will automatically set the>radios and transponder, as is the case in FS9?you tune the radios and set the trasponder by clicking or scrolling on the radio stack to change the settings. >4. I understand there is no A1 traffic on line. Therefore>this means that software such as MY TRAFFIC and GERMAN>AIRPORTS will not >operate on line. Is this correct?correct - they are automatically switched off when you go into multiplayer mode. Static aeroplanes in your scenery will still be there, just not the moving stuff. Anyway, who needs AI aircraft when you've got real people flying their own aircraft around you!>>5. Can I see other planes that are flying on line? Is a>special program needed to do this?SB3 and FSInn both do this automatically>6. I use FSBuild and Flight Sim Commander 7 to create flight>plans. Will I be able to use flight plans created by this>software when flying on line?Yes, as long as they are reaosnably realistic. FSBuild is good - not seen Flight Sim Commander 7. Another popular program is FSNav, which will also act as an autopilot.>7. I fly mostly PMDG 737NG 60/700. The SIDS and STARS I fly>are those built into my flight plan. I imagine I will need to>know how to fly SIDS and STARS on the fly as directed by a>flight controller. Is there any tutorial on how to do this? >I have only one ADF VOR instrument on my PMDG aircraft. Will>this be a problem?>have a look in the Pilot Resource Centre at http://www.vatsim.net/prc/login/index.php which is an excellent source for all sorts of information>Thank you.>>Stannermy pleasure. see you online!Ruth McTigheDeputy Director, VATSIM-UK