Ok, after flying msfs since the first issue on a Tandy 1000 (Yes I said a tandy 1000) I would like to try Vatsim. I've looked at there site and see that you can use either FSInn or SB. Have never flown online so don't know anything about either. Any suggestions? Also any suggestions regarding Online with Vatsim would be great. I fly out of KSAN. Good coverage there?/ ANY help from online flyers would be great. Thank YouBrad

Hi Brad,Flying online is probably the best option to follow real-world procedures, gain experience and make flying FUN!I've been on VATSIM for quite some time now, and nothing else comes close. Most of the US is covered. I've usually flown out of KORD,KSFO and the likes and they're almost always populated. A handy tool in finding out who's controlling where is ServInfo (available here : http://www.avsim.com/hangar/utils/servinfo/home.htm). It gives you information on all the pilots currently flying on VATSIM, their departure-arrival airports, ATC controllers, weather information, etc. So this is where you can check if your airport is controlled or not before setting up your simulator for a flight. As you mentioned, FSinn or SquawkBox are two different applications used to communicate with the VATSIM servers. It's very easy to set up and most of all no robotic ATC! The ATC, compared to IVAO, is absolutely brilliant. Very professional,kind and forgiving (at times). To fly online, you must be familiar with your aircraft systems, aviation phraseology and ofcourse SIDs/STARs. You will also need a flight planning tool as you're required to submit a flight plan to the ATC before you begin your flight. For catching on real world routes, I use Vroute. It's a free-to-download application that searches for routes online and can even convert the flight plan (Paid service) to make it compatible with your aircraft. I could go on rambling here about everything on VATSIM and I'd probably reach/create a word limit for a post so give it a try and I'm sure you'll love every minute of it. (That is, as long as you're controlled) ;)I'd be more than happy to help you set-up for your first flight or provide any other specific information that you might want to know, if needed.Cheers,

Hi Brad,Flying online is probably the best option to follow real-world procedures, gain experience and make flying FUN!A handy tool in finding out who's controlling where is ServInfo (available here : http://www.avsim.com...rvinfo/home.htm).

Flying online is wonderful. Try vatspy also to see who's online: http://www.metacraft.com/VATSpy/

+1 It is a really cool experience when flying online in controlled airspace, hearing other REAL peopple on the other end of the mic (both piltos and ATC)When you get familiar with online flying start watching for events, and I recommend taking part in them, greatest thing to come for msfs IMHO. It is really cool to see other aircraft taxing about, or flying on a parallel approach, knowing that a REAL person is controlling the aircraft, and not the computer.Having said that, People tend to shy away from vatsim as there isnt 100% coverage, But for me when i fly offline I do not use default ATC so it doesnt affect me if there is only a few controllers online on my route, I would much rather see less aircraft that are being flown by REAL people than a bunch of AI arcraft being flown by the computer, knowing that technicaly there isnt even a panel in those AI airctraft :( For events as mentioned earlier, the FIR`s get together and usually mae sure that the route of the event is 100% staffed, and normally always is on event days, Now im in the mood for some vatsiming.between fsinn and SB, either one will do the tric, and it pretty much comes dow to what you perfer and nothing more really, I use SB as it is the client I have started with many years ago, find it extremely easy to use and user friendly. But again that is pretty much whichever you find that works for you.Definetly try it, it is free to try, so you have absolutely nothing to lose, it really is a great free service.