Hiya,I've been flight simming for a few months now. I'm reasonably competent at controlling a Cessna 172, and I've been concentrating on learning the intricacies of navigation, flying the airways etc. I think the next direction I want to go in is experimenting with online flying. What have been peoples experiences as a newby with this? I'm aware of VATSIM, but not really of the other options. What are they and how do they compare with VATSIM in terms of how daunting they are and how helpful they find other users? Is there anything else that I need to be aware of with online flying?Questions, Questions and more questions!I'm posting this here instead of the VATSIM section cos I think people might be a bit more objective in this forum,thanks,Paul

My advice to you is do not hesitate to join VATSIM. Granted itcan be a bit daunting for the beginner (it certainly was for me!),however once you start on the learning curve that is flying online, you will become addicted and will find it difficult to go back to flying on your own.If your intention is to fly a single engine aircraft such as aCessna I suggest you start your online flying at one of the smaller airports which regularly provide Controllers. This would make yourbaptism of fire a much more pleasant experience and I am sure mostControllers would be very happy to assist you in any way possible. It is important that once you decide where you are going to fly you obtain and study all relevant information pertaining to thatarea, such as charts, etc. This will increase your knowledge andmake it easier for you and the relevant Controller to enjoya good interaction. Worried about making mistakes? well don't be,all of us who regularly fly online have made them and I guessthat's part and parcel of learning. Above all, if you find yourselflost or confused, don't hesitate to tell the Controller, if thingsget really bad then you can always disconnect if you have to untilyou have sorted your problem at which point you can then reconnect.In our simulated reality there is nothing better than to find yourself in a busy and well manned airspace with real people flying and controlling to make it "As real as it gets".Good luck and if I can ever be of assistance you can always PM meon the Vatsim Forum.Regards

ok then! I'll go to Maplins after work and buy some headphones with a little mic on them, I can see me getting laughed at at home for a bit!Thanks,Paul

Family laughing at you at home? Only worry when thewife threatens divorce! :-)

I know for a fact that e.g. VATSIM Netherlands (http://www.dutchvacc.nl/)often have speacial events for 'newbies' at which the novice pilot gets an tutor assigned in flight who guides the pilot through all the intricacies of ATC.Often there also socalled regional flyinns where more smaller airports are being controlled. It's great fun!And if you mention VATSIM, you got to mention IVAO also. They both are the major players in online flying. http://www.ivao.org. Rob "Holland&Holland" de Vries http://fool.exler.ru/sm/fly2.gif"To go up, pull the stick back. To go down, pull the stick back harder"

>I know for a fact that e.g. VATSIM Netherlands>(http://www.dutchvacc.nl/)often have speacial events for>'newbies' at which the novice pilot gets an tutor assigned in>flight who guides the pilot through all the intricacies of>ATC.>>Often there also socalled regional flyinns where more smaller>airports are being controlled. It's great fun!>>And if you mention VATSIM, you got to mention IVAO also. They>both are the major players in online flying.>http://www.ivao.org. >>Rob "Holland&Holland" de Vries>http://fool.exler.ru/sm/fly2.gif>>"To go up, pull the stick back. To go down, pull the stick>back harder"That is http://www.ivao.aero to be correct.Otherwize you'll end up at the old IVAO page.Hope to see you in the skies soon :)Regards,Steven

The same page comes up..but thanksRob "Holland&Holland" de Vries http://fool.exler.ru/sm/fly2.gif"To go up, pull the stick back. To go down, pull the stick back harder"

>I know for a fact that e.g. VATSIM Netherlands>(http://www.dutchvacc.nl/)often have speacial events for>'newbies' at which the novice pilot gets an tutor assigned in>flight who guides the pilot through all the intricacies of>ATC.That sounds great. I'm a VATSIM member from a different region, would like to start an "international" carrier, and update myself to online flying in the process. How can I join this online training at dutchvacc?Thanks.

Although I believe VATSIm is organized regionally, I expect the dutch to be rather open minded for international participation, so just send them an email asking when the next regional or newby training is scheduled and make an appointment. It's a rather relaxed bunch of people.This is the contact page: http://www.dutchvacc.nl/index.php?option=c...tact&Itemid=165Rob "Holland&Holland" de Vries http://fool.exler.ru/sm/fly2.gif"To go up, pull the stick back. To go down, pull the stick back harder"

Paul, for your headphones make sure they are USB ones so that you can have ATC coming through your headphones and the rest of the FS sounds still coming from the speakers. This will make ATC transmissions clearer for you.I would recommend you join an established VA with good training which will make the whole process of online flying much less daunting. Of course I recommend British Airways Virtual but there are others out there as well with good training staff who will be willing to help. I'm sure someone here can give you some recommendations.Rob Elliott, EGPE InvernessPSS Airbus Support andAirbus Fleet Training Captain, British Airways Virtual [email protected]http://www.speedbirdonline.co.uk/airbus.htmlhttp://www.bavirtual.co.uk