I'm curious as to the 'reasons' why people don't do it. Care to participate?

Some don't know enough about flying within the system(s) to participate. Others can't fly their aircraft within Commercial or ATP standards. Some can't fly within Private standards. That keeps many from embarassing themselves or causing problems in a busy traffic area. If the FMC ever failed in the middle of a procedure or had to change to a different procedure while executing the first one, I'd imagine there would be quite a bit of chaos in many on-line cockpits.Not that there are any standards to maintain on either network, but it makes operations that much smoother when you can actually fly the aircraft according to controller instructions.If I sound a bit cynical I guess it's because I've seen too much on-line.

I tried it a few times,but when the approach controller left me in a downwind leg at KLAX and just disappeared, that was enough for me. That was a while back so maybe it's gotten better since then.

I tried it a few times,but when the approach controller left me in a downwind leg at KLAX and just disappeared, that was enough for me. That was a while back so maybe it's gotten better since then.

Maybe he he had some sort of techincal issue. I have never seen a controller leave without letting people know beforehand.

I used to be afraid/ worried that i would get myself into a position where i would be overwhelmed. But after using Radar Contact along with UT2 for a while i tried VATSIM in March, and i have to say I cant fly without it now. I now only use UT2 for my AI aircraft with FSINN. For anyone who is interested in giving it a try jump in head first, and don't give up after just 1 or 2 flights. Its a learning experience and honestly I didn't learn most of the small things till 10 or more flights in. For people who don't think they know proper ATC phraseology i recommend Radar Contact to help get you more experience without worrying about making mistakes.

I have about 3 reasons I don&t always fly on VATSIM. I find myself only going there rarely because of lack of time to devote, I like the density that I get with AI traffic, and sometimes I'm a little timid. The last feels like a big reason for me, but I think it might be resolved by spending time on VATSIM.I'll flew a lot when not ATC were on in the region, but looking at a beginner's event this weekend from VATSIM Japan.

Nice poll. Maybe you should add something for the people that already fly online once in a while but often want to go to remote areas (with nice scenery addons) where you hardly see any online ATC at all.Just being connected to the networks is one thing but being the only one around isn't that much fun and all offline traffic and ATC addons are the better solution then, at least in my eyes.So "I would do it more often if there was coverage" or something might help.No question, flying online with ATC coverage and some fellow pilots is THE thing in a flight sim experience and a big thanks to all people which make such things possible and fun to do. I always enjoy the events on the net for example. One also gets to know some pilots and controllers from outside his normal living area which is fun and interesting too.Of course, I'm aware about the planning and organization amount behind any denser ATC coverage and I also can think of "remote" situated controllers that don't receive any participation at all. So don't see my words as complains here please. One can't expect whole Australia to be covered just because he wants to fly to his new addon airport. For all the guys thinking about going online: Go for it! Definitely a great experience and all vital questions are usually covered in the beginners sections of the big networks. So no rocket science here, just a small software setup and a bit of common sense. Just hopping in without any knowledge (and will to read) at all isn't very polite in any community area but asking questions online (if time and traffic allows) or doing something wrong at the beginning isn't a problem, it's perfectly normal.

I like VFR flights - low and slow. Are there any benefit to do it online?I don't like headsets. Can I fly online with microphone and loudspeaker?

"Sure" on both questions. The even have special VFR events there.For the loudspeaker one: just make sure that they can read you fine and that you don't get any acoustic feedback there. This would kill everyone's ears on the same frequency. A light headset would be the better solution there. Maybe one on one ear only or with just a knob and a clip mic or something. If you use a USB device, you can direct the FS sounds to your speakers and the COMM stuff to this one headset for example. Very professional and easy to do.

It is the only way to fly for me but...I voted for VATSIM being frustrating and here is why, most ATC is on for 2-3hours max (I control on average 25-30hours a month at ZLA). For pilots that means they are most likely ever going to make it to a region with ATC if they do a short flight or by some good fortune they get a new ATC online where he is landing. If at any time of the day you scan the traffic on VATSIM/IVAO you see so many stray aircraft in no-ATC areas.The solution to this is something I have proposed at the VATSIM forums and on which some of the developers are working on a solution. The idea is to either put up a website or develop a program which is the central database for ATC bookings. The concept is similar to the events system whereby pilots are guaranteed ATC at their destination airports.The procedure would be something which is already being followed at individual regional websites where you can log in to find out about which ATC controller has booked time to be online. Now this new website will consolidate all this data onto one Board. Now pilots can log on and see when ATC is booked to be online and he can plan his flight accordingly. For controllers who cannot predict their availability they would be encouraged to log their availability via the website as soon as they are active on VATSIM.I predict the assurance of ATC being online will boost traffic levels significantly.RegardsShez

Lack of pilots/flights/activity and ATC coverage when I fly.This morning I plan KSAN LNSAY2 SLI J134 LAX J5 TILTS CANN2.FMG KRNO (4am dep).

I'm curious as to the 'reasons' why people don't do it. Care to participate?

My main reason isn't listed. As a developer of much of the software I'm using, and especially the software which hangs everything together on my rig (FSUIPC, WideFS and the PFC drivers, with PM of course), I'm constantly watching for things "not quite right" and adjusting, twiddling etc. So quite often I'm pausing, or even aborting and restarting mid-flight.I don't think that would work well with on-line ATC.Maybe, when I "retire" (stop developing and supporting FSUIPC etc) maybe I'll be able to fly decently with on-line ATC ... but I may be too old and feeble by then! ;-)Meanwhile I've checked the "not enough time" answer as being the nearest appropriate.Best RegardsPete

"Sure" on both questions. The even have special VFR events there.For the loudspeaker one: just make sure that they can read you fine and that you don't get any acoustic feedback there. This would kill everyone's ears on the same frequency. A light headset would be the better solution there. Maybe one on one ear only or with just a knob and a clip mic or something.

One of those little mobile phone type BlueTooth ear clips work quite well, with a little USB Bluetooth adapter plugged into the PC. It looks like another sound device in the PC.Pete

I'll have to answer 'none of the above' since there isn't an option on the poll for 'lack of coverage'. When I tried Vatsim, there simply wasn't adequate coverage for where I was flying (i.e. the UK, Europe, China and Russia).I'm quite interested in realistic ATC, for example I bought both of the ATC radar simulators, i.e. Radar Contact and London Control (London Control being the better of the two by far), but where ATC and radar vectoring in FS is concerned, the lack of coverage means I use Radar Contact instead, which might not be quite so realistic as having a real person doing control, but whenever I fly an Air Hauler flight to China or Russia, I at least know that there will be a controller to handle the approach, even if they do have a slightly canned accent and diction.Al

Flew yesterday on vatsim :(

I believe I first experienced flight simming at age 11, It was an Apple IIc (I believe) and Flight Simulator was made by SubLogic back then in monochrome (green ugly graphics). At age 13, I got a IBM PC Jr for Xmas and my dad included a copy of MS Flight Simulator in full 16 color ;).Since then, I've always tried to 'advance' my experience so there's always something 'new' to learn. Personally, I saw VATSIM as the 'last frontier' the pinnacle of Flight Simulation... I've always wondered, the 'reasons' why 20-year veterans are not flying VATSIM or IVAO regularly, as it is probably the most rewarding experience in flight simulation, specially the 'events' such as Cross the Pond, Boston Tea Party, Frankfurt overload to name a few.Its interesting that the word 'fear' always come up as one of the reasons ;) anyway, I want to share this with you.. it's an old FS2004 video flying VATSIM landing KMIA. I was a 'newby' back then, TERRIFIED to 'talk' on the radio, but time, eventually made me forget about the fear and enjoy the experience a bit more. Today, I fly exclusively on VATSIM and I'm looking for ways to persuade others to do the same :) so... in the next months I'll be doing a complete set of tutorials focusing on how to get you started flying on-line. Enjoy the short video :)