hi guys,i have been looking over the Vatsim website, and i would like to join it. i find that it looks like a great activity to do over a weekend or so.heres some background info before i ask some questions: i am experienced in flying most default aircraft, and in the PMDG 744X. i know how to do SID/STARS and all that jazz. but im not to experienced with complicated ATC1. how dedicated do u have to be to fly online? (like do u HAVE to fly every week or something?)2. how skilled to u have to be in flying on MSFS for vatsim?3. if u do something wrong accidently, would u be penalized by it?cheers guys

1. how dedicated do u have to be to fly online? (like do u HAVE to fly every week or something?)You can fly as often or rarely as you like, there are no requirements and your account will not be terminated for inactivity.2. how skilled to u have to be in flying on MSFS for vatsim?You are expected to know the plane you are flying very well, well enough so that you can comply with any instructions given by ATC. 3. if u do something wrong accidently, would u be penalized by it?No, you would not get penalized for doing something wrong by accident, and controllers realize that new pilots dont know how to do everything right off the bat. You would only get penalized for intentionally disrupting the online activity, like deliberately trying to crash other planes.I highly recommend giving it a go, its so much more fun when you are interacting with real people instead of following the braindead ATC and AI traffic in FSX. Events in particular are great fun, since traffic levels and ATC coverage will be high

1. how dedicated do u have to be to fly online? (like do u HAVE to fly every week or something?)You can fly as often or rarely as you like, there are no requirements and your account will not be terminated for inactivity.2. how skilled to u have to be in flying on MSFS for vatsim?You are expected to know the plane you are flying very well, well enough so that you can comply with any instructions given by ATC. 3. if u do something wrong accidently, would u be penalized by it?No, you would not get penalized for doing something wrong by accident, and controllers realize that new pilots dont know how to do everything right off the bat. You would only get penalized for intentionally disrupting the online activity, like deliberately trying to crash other planes.I highly recommend giving it a go, its so much more fun when you are interacting with real people instead of following the braindead ATC and AI traffic in FSX. Events in particular are great fun, since traffic levels and ATC coverage will be high

ok, looks like ill join then :( thanks for ur information feedback

Yeah, go for it.I think it's mainly about being able to fly your aircraft in the first place and not harming any others by intention. The rest is fun, you can always ask (of course, you shouldn't choose the heavy traffic areas on the first flights) and everybody enjoys the hobby you have too.The not English spoken guys will have some problems with understand the ATC the first few flights, this was and still is my biggest problem with flying online.Also checkout the special beginner events in all local divisions. They have scheduled times for active regions to fly, ask and enjoy the first hours of online flying. Surely a good practice.

ok, looks like ill join then :( thanks for ur information feedback

Before you jump in with both feet I suggest you read up in the Pilots resource centre, that will give you all the information you need to set up and connect and also how to behave on VATSIM.They do take it quite seriously, unlike The Zone.Spend some time sat at an active airport listening to the radio chatter between ATC and pilots so you get an idea of how that works. Make sure you park up out of the way though.It can be addictive or frustrating depending on how you approach it or what you expect.The above from someone who has been used VATSIM from day one.

If I were you, I would try IVAO (International Virtual Aviation Organisation)http://www.ivao.aero/The software is far more advanced and user friendly.You fly online when, how, where,.. You want too.The globe is very well occupied on IVAO compared to VATSIM.Im a member of both networks but im most satisfied with IVAO.Regards

I could swear he asked about VATSIM :(

Just to balance it out, I'm a member of both and prefer VATSIM over IVAO. Better ATC coverage in the Americas. Right now there's 515 members connected to VATSIM and 642 to IVAO, but that's to be expected since it's the European high hours. If I make another post in four or five hours, it'll probably be the other way around.For some reason I've run into some incompetent or rude ATC on IVAO on several occasions, but never on VATSIM. ATC there know their sectors really well and are very helpful and polite (still can't get over the being called "sir" all the time). So to add another answer:1: No minimum activity requirements on either organization other than you have to reactivate your account if you haven't logged on for a few months. (simple matter of sending an e-mail or something)2: Know your plane and "the talk" well enough to be able to comply to stuff like "Cleared the ILS approach rw XX, stear course XXX to intercept, report when established."3: Accidents are never punished, but behaving like a jerk is. There's a huge difference, and the ATC and supervisors are very good at telling the two apart. Don't worry about that, there's tons of patience for beginners on either network. Whichever organization you register to, welcome to the online skies! Simming as you once knew it takes on a whole new dimension. It's great fun!

For some reason I've run into some incompetent or rude ATC on IVAO on several occasions, but never on VATSIM.

It really is up to the national divisions more than it is to the network itself. VATSIM Colombian division is rubbish, petulant ATC staff and airplane chauffeurs with egos bigger than their virtual airliners; IVAO on the other hand is a joy to fly in.The decision to whether fly on VATSIM or IVAO is a matter of where you want to fly in. US and the UK: Vatsim. Europe and South America: IVAO. Asia is pretty much the same for both, but I've seen more Russian ATC on VATSIM.I agree with you though, once you taste online flying you never go back.