I want to join VATSIM but...

[derianc 0]

Hey everyone, these past weeks i've been thinking of joining VATSIM but i'm a bit worried and confused. To make it simple, i'd be screwed when it comes to the ATC part... I need to learn how to reply to them, what is important, what's not etc. where can I learn to do so? Also, what do I need to do to join?

[gman1986 14]

A good place to start is the vatsim website. It has all the info you're asking for there

[Felix_Nicol 0]

Hey mate,Don't worry if you're confused, we all were at some point! I'm more than happy to explain stuff to you if you don't quite understand. All you need to join is have a passion for aviation :PTry and read through all the documentation you can find on the VATSIM website www.vatsim.net

[Stephen Howarth 0]

Each to their own, but I personally use IVAO and you can read all their pilot / controller information @ http://www.ivao.co.uk/ for starters try http://www.ivao.co.uk/atc/sop and http://www.ivao.co.uk/atc/docsThe reason, by the way, I use IVAO is that their software integrates better for me and their MTL means I see others online flying their correct livery - just thought I'd say that to stop all the VATSIM vs. IVAO flames....

[gman1986 14]

Can I just ask, is IVAO better for EU simmers over Vatsim?

[Guest wims]

VATSIM Pilot Resource Center. Make sure you read and understand what is said there.

Can I just ask, is IVAO better for EU simmers over Vatsim?

If they are better depends on alot of factors, and it probably varies from person to person (some people like lots of traffic, other likes lots of ATC, some like GA traffic, while something like ATC professionalism might be the most important factor to yet another person). Its impossible to measure. However, one thing that is possible to measure is the amount of traffic in the airspace at both networks. You can do that with a tool called Dolomynum. You can download it from http://dlmn.net/dl.html. Its not 100% capable of showing ATC tho, as new airspace sectors are created all the time, and traffic visualisation tools like DLMN would need to be updated for every such new airspace division

[1kris007 0]

Can I just ask, is IVAO better for EU simmers over Vatsim?

IVAO has more traffic in Europe than AmericaVATsim Mostly has more traffic in America, but still quite a lot in Europe. I think it's even-ing out a bit.

[Felix_Nicol 0]

Can I just ask, is IVAO better for EU simmers over Vatsim?

IMO, No. There are just as many controllers on in Europe as IVAO

[Stephen Howarth 0]

A quick snapshot of the two networks tonight.

[Felix_Nicol 0]

In VATSIM, there is MUCH more controlling in the UK, as shown in the picture than on IVAO. As a pilot I also appreciated the much better higher quality service I got in Europe on VATSIM.

[ExNusquam 11]

While the two networks are evenly matched in Europe, in NA, VATSIM has large amounts of traffic, while IVAO has virtually none. In SA, IVAO has much more traffic than VATSIM.

[scandinavian13 5,186]

Regarding the still currently civil IVAO vs VATSIM discussion:I understand the "to each his own" theory, but keep in mind the poster's thread title.The best way to learn on either network is to read their documentation and then log on and ask a controller who is online if you need further clarification.

[aceridgey 324]

Sorry,here is a break downIVAO control and pilots are far more dense in Europe [Look above, see the comparison for europe, there is 2/3 times more? .]IVAO also has more members online on the whole look above. Vatsim has more traffic in North America the United Kingdom [trend is changing] and northern scandinaviaright now for my personal opinionThe reason there is less controller in the UK, is because we have an extremely high rate of training, which in all honesty is not running smoothly at the moment. The average student has to train for 6months in order to control at major aerodromes in the UK.Thats the reason why,, HOWEVER, The quality of controlling in the UK is obviously very very high, as it is compulsory to train in order to control at heatrhow/gatwick etcAlso, the ivao interface is much simpler and actually really good,your computer will download a basic exterior model for EVERY aircraft, and EVERY airline,, so if a certain Spanish pilot is sitting at the next stand to you at london gatwick, you will see, ON YOUR SCREEN, a aircraft model and livery that HE is flying, thats it.Honestly, if you are unsure, try both, thats the key, try both well, and see which you preferAlex

[scandinavian13 5,186]

Does anyone ever have stats to back up the "this one has more traffic and ATC than the other" comments?I'm not saying one is right or wrong, but both can't be right, so I want data.I'll be that guy.

[Guest wims]

...Also, the ivao interface is much simpler and actually really good,your computer will download a basic exterior model for EVERY aircraft, and EVERY airline,, so if a certain Spanish pilot is sitting at the next stand to you at london gatwick, you will see, ON YOUR SCREEN, a aircraft model and livery that HE is flying, thats it....

Its like that on VATSIM as well :) You can infact use any model you like, for example, after pmdg releases the ngx you can use that for traffic 3d models if you prefer those to the other lower resolution / detail ones that are normally used for traffic.

[derianc 0]

Alright i'll go and check it out. Thanks for your help everyone.

[wedgantilles 75]

I can't tell if one is better than the other, maybe first check your network country website for example french VATSim is having many thing that makes it easier, tutorial, some Teamspeak Reunion to discover how it works to fly in network how you do it and all, and to finish with a flight with control on VATSIM. I do believe some countries might do it on IVAO too. After that I believe it is a little sad that there is this separation as one united way would be making things so great for a worldwide controled airspace ;) And I also believe that on IVAO like on VATSIM you must be able on filing your flight plan that your a newbie, and might disconnect if things gets out of control. I really think that the most important is to go slowly find a smaller airport with maybe just a control tower and doing things like VFR airport circuit, and going to do things more and more advanced which should make things easier, than going directly with some heavy metal jet for long flights with many controllers changes.

[yos233 1]

OK, let’s not start a flame war on Online sessions (BVA all the way)To answer your question;For an IFR flight:Start by setting your active radio to the frequency of clearance delivery, or the controller acting as such position for your airport.You begin by requesting clearance to airport, "XXX requesting IFR clearance to XYZ"Controller responds, "XXX, you are cleared to XYZ via [the ABC departure,] radar vectors FIX, departure frequency 133.00 climb and maintain AAAA, expect FLAAA ten minutes after departure, squawk 4567."Readback, "XXX is cleared to XYZ via [departure] radar vectors FIX, departure is 133-solid, climb to AAAA, expecting FLAAA in ten, squawk 4567."Now set your transponder (the four-numbered thingy) to read your squawk code.Controller confirms, "XXX your readback is correct, information Foxtrot is current, advise when ready for pushback/to taxi."If the controller said pushback, call him for permission to push from gate, if he said taxi, push on your own time and call when ready to get rolling.When Clearance delivery tells you to contact ground, switch to that frequency on your radio.Tell ground ready to taxi, "Boston Ground, XXX is ready for taxi, with Foxtrot."And he/she responds, "XXX, runway 9(er), taxi via A, K, M, hold short runway 4L."Confirm, "Runway 9, taxi via A, K, M, hold short runway 4L, XXX."Now you taxi."XXX, contact Boston Tower 121.80, good night"Confirm Handoff, "Boston Tower, 121.8"Switch and talk to tower, "Boston Tower XXX is on taxiway K, holding short runway 4L."Tower, "XXX, cross runway 4L"You, "Cross runway 4L, XXX"When you get to the runway, the tower will most likely give you an automatic takeoff as an airliner, or wait for you to say you are ready as a GA aircraft. Make sure departure frequency is in the standby box.Tower, "XXX, wind 050 at 7 knots, runway 9, cleared for takeoff, fly runway heading"You, "Runway Heading, Cleared for takeoff, runway 9, XXX"Tower, "XXX, switch to departure [on 133.00], so long."Tower is not required to give the frequency to you, so I hope you wrote it down.You, "To departure, XXX"Switch, Boston Departure, XXX is climbing through 1700, for AAAA."Departure, "XXX, welcome aboard sir[, fly heading ABC]."If your departure gave you a heading, or departure wants you to keep flying straight, he won’t say the brackets. When he is ready, you will get a heading, when you get close to your altitude, he will (probably) get you higher.Departure, XXX, fly heading ABC, [proceed direct FIX,] resume own navigation."When you reach 10,000 or so, the 250 knot speed restriction is lifted so you may accelerate. Departure will also likely hand you off to a center controller. From there you just follow the controller instructions with standard readbacks, give back what they give you, or what seems appropriate so as not to clutter the frequency. When you get close to the arrival airport you will be told to descend and contact approach. Lets fast-forward to the approach clearance.Approach, "XXX, you are 3 miles from IAF, descend and maintain 1600 until established. Cleared ILS, runway 16L approach."Readback, "XXX, cleared for the ILS runway 16L."Approach, "XXX, contact tower, 123.45"Readback, "Tower, 123.45, XXX"You, "Tower, XXX is with you on ILS runway 16L [,4 miles out]."Tower, "XXX, good evening sir, runway 16L, cleared to land, wind 150 at 4, number 2 behind company 737."Readback, "Cleared to land, 16L, number 2, XXX"When you get on the ground, it’s pretty much taxi out, but in reverse. Ask ground for taxi to gates, you will get instructions, follow them, read them back, it’s a very repetitive process, not very hard to master. Good luck!Any other questions I would love to answer them. Just not as lengthly

[aceridgey 324]

I can't tell if one is better than the other, maybe first check your network country website for example french VATSim is having many thing that makes it easier, tutorial, some Teamspeak Reunion to discover how it works to fly in network how you do it and all, and to finish with a flight with control on VATSIM. I do believe some countries might do it on IVAO too. After that I believe it is a little sad that there is this separation as one united way would be making things so great for a worldwide controled airspace ;) And I also believe that on IVAO like on VATSIM you must be able on filing your flight plan that your a newbie, and might disconnect if things gets out of control. I really think that the most important is to go slowly find a smaller airport with maybe just a control tower and doing things like VFR airport circuit, and going to do things more and more advanced which should make things easier, than going directly with some heavy metal jet for long flights with many controllers changes.

oh a united ivao + vatsim, would be absolutley beautiful

[Guest dlrk]

oh a united ivao + vatsim, would be absolutley beautiful

Yes it would. It's insane they're actually fighting over such a small audience.

[Guest 747-fan]

Whoever made that decision to "screw this I'll make my own network"... well thanks a lot buddy. With your cowardice you've single handedly crippled what could've been a great community. Now we're having 6-800 ppl on two networks instead of 1400 on one. Thanks for the empty skies mate, appreciate it.BTW I've got an account on both networks and choose one or the other based on traffic/coverage where I'd like to fly that particular night. I've got no idea how this whole thing started. Does anybody know anymore?

[aceridgey 324]

[...] I've got no idea how this whole thing started. Does anybody know anymore?

politics=--you know what guys,The idea of a merge has been thrown around in forums, but never tried..who is feeling like we should try and get a community together, to try and merge these two networks? website and everything is in order.whos with me?

[fumap 0]

I'm with you!Always wondered about a great big unique "virtual" sky.Just to prove that flying from an hub in Europe to the USA in "full ATC covered" situation is possible.I see only advantages in merging IVAO and VATSIM, more people, more ATC, more pilots....It will be great...(but, i must admit, the project have also a lot of enemies in the respective forums...)Cheers

[Buddy2 0]

Alright i'll go and check it out. Thanks for your help everyone.

I would also go check out www.liveatc.net... They have free real world feeds from just about anywhere you like... You'll get a feel for the "flow" of the conversation... I would listen to live atc during my RW training and it helped tremendously.... Also, If you can find a busy tower on Vatsim... Just park on the ramp and listen for a bit... Hope this helps!Cheers!Buddy Morgan

[Mark_A 9]

IVAO client sounds good.How about VATSIM starts using that client, IVAO and VATSIM can still exist just use the same client so we can all fly together.I'm really not impressed with the SB4 or FSINN but continue to fly with VATSIM, for Australia anyway it seems to have the most coverage.So one day they say, we are now going to use the IVAO client and VATSIM servers will be shutdown.