Yes, VatSim is split into regions and controllers are designated within their particular region. Servinfo which has been recommended by others will map the regions for you.You will find literally none on line at times, and many at others (particularly in evening and weekend hours). Some regions (VatSim, site) have schedule formats to inform you ahead of time as to when controllers and/or pilots will be on line.You have two options when there is not much traffic, and few controllers on line. First make long haul flights with only partial coverage. Of course like pilots, controllers come and go so by the time you reach your destination, new controllers may then be on line. Your second choice is to fly within the region being covered with shorter hops.Yes, you can decide your own flights and destinations. There are preferred routes but you are not bound to them. For IFR it would benefit you greatly to download and include published SIDS and STARS with your approach plates. I have filed all of these between my SimFlyer and FlyTampa airports along with a few others in loose leaf notebooks. It takes some time and effort but sure makes setting up flights a lot easier.Happy Flying and I hope you find a routine that pleases you:RTH

A couple of weeks ago I took a regional flight on an RJ-100 (real life). The captain of the flight turned out to be the same guy who was controlling me on Vatsim the previous night! Is that professional enough?We had a small chat after landing and it was funny to watch the perplexed F/O, who had no idea about online flying etc, trying to figure out how the #### did his captain work as ATC...We even wished each other happy flying and everything.Regards,

Donny AKA ShalomarFly 2 ROCKS!!!I have a Vatsim account but haven't made the plunge. I don't have a mike and I'm anticipating trying to hunt & peck while flying... My "home" field is KABE which as a region has a lot of coverage. One thing that attracts me is the auto weather updates thru Squawkbox. That can come in handy even in Alaska when flying a BFU mission with a real-weather requirement. ATC is the other attraction, but as far as populated skies there's limitations- unless I have 1500 aircraft in my inventory it seems a LOT will be the victim of "artistic license". Will I see a Cesna 172 at FL 41 doing Mach .80? I guess I'll just dial aircraft vis down to the minimum for safety like 10 or 5 NM. Unless- is it possible to download just shapefiles for aircraft? I don't really care about paint jobs, as long as 727's look like it and their beacons work. Thoough it would be nice if I personally repainted a plane to show it off to the world that hasn't downloaded it yet, I realise that would be a LOT of info to send... bandwidth usage.Best Regards, Donny:-wave