In my opinion, the hardest thing to do right is getting on the correct darn taxiways! I don't know how many times I've messed it up altough I always have charts in front of me. There are some programs that shows where you are on the ground but I prefer not to use them since I feel it's a bit like cheating despite.

 

Yeah, I have Navigraph and I still don't know how I messed it up.  *Ugh*  LOL.  At least I got my controller fixed up.  I'd gotten a joystick for the A320 and it was, apparently, conflicting with my yoke.  Did a bunch of small flights this morning testing. Seems okay.  Heck of a way to find out about a problem.

 

 

In my opinion, the hardest thing to do right is getting on the correct darn taxiways! I don't know how many times I've messed it up altough I always have charts in front of me.

 

Often the case in real life as well! Plan ahead -- think about (for instance) the exit you're going to take off the runway, where you're likely to park and the route you're most likely to take to get there before you even start descending. Then on the ground - take it slow. If in doubt, stop and figure out where you are, confirm with the controller if necessary (and don't be afraid to tell them to standby if you need a moment to figure out where you are -- just make sure you stop somewhere safe and you're not blocking a runway exit, for instance).

 

 

 

One minor complaint about VATSIM is controllers often want me to alter my filed flight plan.

 

Errm... yes. That's the nature of 'as real as it gets'!

 

The plan is just that, a plan -- not something set in stone to be rigidly adhered to. If you are being re-routed it is for one of two reasons -- either to integrate you with the traffic flow (most likely because there is a preferred route, a "one-way system", or an agreement between two FIRs/ARTCCs etc about how traffic is presented for the handover) or to give you a shortcut to save you time and fuel. Both are routine in real life -- the second more so than the first obviously because airlines tend to have professional flight planners and planning software that makes sure they're on a valid route every time .

Often the case in real life as well! Plan ahead -- think about (for instance) the exit you're going to take off the runway, where you're likely to park and the route you're most likely to take to get there before you even start descending. Then on the ground - take it slow. If in doubt, stop and figure out where you are, confirm with the controller if necessary (and don't be afraid to tell them to standby if you need a moment to figure out where you are -- just make sure you stop somewhere safe and you're not blocking a runway exit, for instance).

 

At the home airfield where I fly IRL the only taxi instruction you can ever get is "Taxi to holding A"  or when landing "taxi to the apron"!  But yeah, as you say always be prepared and plan for the exit and entry to the apron. The main problem I think is sceneries where taxiways for some reason don't correlate with the real charts or when you have low visibility and miss the signs (also a very real problem). 

There is always "requesting progressive taxi instructions"!

Yeah, I have Navigraph and I still don't know how I messed it up.  *Ugh*  LOL.  At least I got my controller fixed up.  I'd gotten a joystick for the A320 and it was, apparently, conflicting with my yoke.  Did a bunch of small flights this morning testing. Seems okay.  Heck of a way to find out about a problem.

 

 

I've been flying on Pilotedge for several months now and have completed all of the ratings, yet I find I am still a bit nervous when I sign on.  That just adds to the excitement though.  Using a canned ATC would never give that little bit of nervousness.

I have never tried Vatsim.  I have an account and will be trying it very soon.  I've just been very busy lately with work.

Someday I would even like to start out a flight on Vatsim, like in New York JFK, and finish it with Pilotedge, landing at KLAX. Is there anyone here that has tried something like that?

I considered it a number of times but never went through with it. Perhaps because you dont know if a controller will be online or its spotty throughout the flight and for long flights, dont necessarily want to be tied to the computer for a long cruise just to monitor a handover.   So heres some questions:

 

Scenery issues : as in dont match with the ground control scenery therefore taxi instructions might be all wacky.  How to deal with that?

 

Must AI be disabled? Does it conflict with online flyers?

 

What do you do on a bathroom break or an household interruption... phone, someone talking to you. Not like we have an actual FO to take over when leaving the flightdeck.

 

What happens with a CTD?

 

The aforementioned longer cruise issue. There might be nobody on so you go do something, then suddenly someone shows up and gives you instructions. Hard to monitor if its coming thru on a headset and you dont have it on.

 

 

I have never tried Vatsim.  I have an account and will be trying it very soon.  I've just been very busy lately with work.
Someday I would even like to start out a flight on Vatsim, like in New York JFK, and finish it with Pilotedge, landing at KLAX. Is there anyone here that has tried something like that?

 

I took off from KPHX...no ATC...and flew to PilotEdge once and it worked fine...not sure which airport.  I usually fly in the east coast mornings so I always missed PilotEdge's time.  

Fourth flight.  We'll call this one "Sometimes I hate FS2Crew".

 

Flew from Budapest to Istanbul.  Departure went fairly perfect.  Got two turns in holding from Center before coming in for approach.  Everything went well until 4 mile final when FS2Crew decided it heard "Turn right heading 040" (nobody said anything...I was recording and played it back.)  Ruined the approach and I had to disconnect.  Lord.

 

 

I considered it a number of times but never went through with it. Perhaps because you dont know if a controller will be online or its spotty throughout the flight and for long flights, dont necessarily want to be tied to the computer for a long cruise just to monitor a handover.   So heres some questions:
 
Scenery issues : as in dont match with the ground control scenery therefore taxi instructions might be all wacky.  How to deal with that?

 

Controllers routinely deal with people who use different sceneries; it's usally no big deal.  However, for airports, make sure you update your AFCADs to make life easier on the controllers.  Ray Smiths uploads AFCADs to AVSIM all time.

 
Must AI be disabled? Does it conflict with online flyers?

 

You don't have to, but you should; after all, controllers don't "see" your AI traffic, so they can't vector you for traffic avoidance.  For example, they may clear you for landing while your AI is taxing on to the active runway; to that point, it's strongly recommend to set it to zero.  
 
What do you do on a bathroom break or an household interruption... phone, someone talking to you. Not like we have an actual FO to take over when leaving the flightdeck.
 

Just tell the controller you're going to be away from the 'cockpit' for x amount of minutes.  It happens all the time...

What happens with a CTD?

 

Restart and reconnect; just send the controller a PM to let him/her know what your doing.  It happens and they understand....

 

The aforementioned longer cruise issue. There might be nobody on so you go do something, then suddenly someone shows up and gives you instructions. Hard to monitor if its coming thru on a headset and you dont have it on.

 

You can check your airspace via website (vattastic) or app (VatMap); when you see a controller, just get back to your desk within 30 mins.  When flying overseas on a NAT route, I typically disconnect, go to bed and reconnect when I wake up.  As always, I just send the controller a message letting them know my attentions.  

 

 

 

Once you get the hang of VATSIM, there's no going back to canned ATC.  It takes about 3 flights to get the hang of it; after that, you'll be comfortable.  Just don't get frustrated and stay with it; you'll be pro before too long.  It took me 5-years of debating before I tried; I regret it took me that long.  It adds to the immersion more than any addon you can buy....

Once you get the hang of VATSIM, there's no going back to canned ATC.  It takes about 3 flights to get the hang of it; after that, you'll be comfortable.  Just don't get frustrated and stay with it; you'll be pro before too long.  It took me 5-years of debating before I tried; I regret it took me that long.  It adds to the immersion more than any addon you can buy....

Thanks for the clarifications

 

 

 

Glad your enjoying it Greg!

In my opinion, the hardest thing to do right is getting on the correct darn taxiways! I don't know how many times I've messed it up altough I always have charts in front of me. There are some programs that shows where you are on the ground but I prefer not to use them since I feel it's a bit like cheating despite.

 

Well, most modern airliners have a moving map or something like this, so it's not exactly cheating, but using modern features

Nothing wrong with using available technology to help your situational awareness at large airports - be that in the form of Navigraph charts - or any other method.   At large airports its a necessity to have a reference chart or moving map reference.

Well, most modern airliners have a moving map or something like this, so it's not exactly cheating, but using modern features

Yeah I know. That sentence ending with "despite." was supposed to say that but something happened between my brain and my fingers on the keyboard. 

Love it. My biggest problem was and is getting the taxiways right, specially now that I fly on VR exclusively. Much more challenging...

 

 

Well, most modern airliners have a moving map or something like this, so it's not exactly cheating, but using modern features

 

I hope it's better than some of the airport maps I have.  Honestly, I find it hard to figure them out.    Sometimes a letter is next to two taxiways...I guess to get you close enough to read the sign.

 

 

I hope it's better than some of the airport maps I have.  Honestly, I find it hard to figure them out.    Sometimes a letter is next to two taxiways...I guess to get you close enough to read the sign

 

Greg, if you have some disposal income, I highly recommend Aivlasoft's EFB.  Although pricey, it's an invaluable flight sim tool; to that end, you'll never have problems taxing again...