I just experienced the BEST ever to date experience in FSX. I am a newbie on VATSIM and I just finished a flight from EDDF to EGLL with the London Heathrow event VATSIM had today. The airport was fully staffed with ATC and lots of people flying in. When I landed there were some 60 departures and 40 or more arrivals going on. This flight was a first for me a several ways in that this was my first ever VATSIM flight in Europe and while in route I had to fly my first ever hold as the traffic was building at EGLL. ATC put me in a 10 min hold while they evened the load on the ground. WHen nearing EGLL I had to do a hard bank turn as well. If you have never tried VATSIM you dont know what your missing! That was the busiest 1 1/2 hrs I have spent on FSX reading charts, trying to decipher ATC with a foreign accent, follow speed and altitude instructions to the letter, ect, ect. Below is a shot I took on short final to Rwy 27L, I was #3 to land.

That sounds epic! I've never tried VATSIM, mainly because I'm still learning things like how to fly holding patterns, so it's great to know there's loads more waiting for me when I get all my ATC figured out lol

That sounds epic! I've never tried VATSIM, mainly because I'm still learning things like how to fly holding patterns, so it's great to know there's loads more waiting for me when I get all my ATC figured out lol

It was epic! The ATC staff they had working was top notch. London Approach was very very busy yet he remained clam and very clear with his instructions. It was as real as it can get while sitting behind a computer.

Thanks for sharing jwenham, I can sense your enthusiasm!Gotta try this, will get me away from all the nonsense tweaking and back to flying instead, huh?

Below is a shot I took on short final to Rwy 27L, I was #3 to land.

Short final?! :( VATSIM was a lot of fun, but my experiences with others (virtual pilots) not knowing what was going on ruined the realism for me. :( Still, I was amazed at the controllers! Most of them were convincing controllers that knew their stuff and were very professional, even with the newbies and younger kids. A great community on the whole!On the other hand, If I want to get busy I take the 182 into Charlotte to make the controllers work for their coffee break. :(

Thanks for sharing jwenham, I can sense your enthusiasm!Gotta try this, will get me away from all the nonsense tweaking and back to flying instead, huh?

YEP!

Short final?! :( VATSIM was a lot of fun, but my experiences with others (virtual pilots) not knowing what was going on ruined the realism for me. :( Still, I was amazed at the controllers! Most of them were convincing controllers that knew their stuff and were very professional, even with the newbies and younger kids. A great community on the whole!On the other hand, If I want to get busy I take the 182 into Charlotte to make the controllers work for their coffee break. :(

OK, a short 11.9 mile final. LOL :)

Great post. I've never tried VATSIM but I can imagine it must be quite fun in such a busy environment.And welcome to the best airport in the world.. :( Ian