>when I can fly online and with all the AI I have added, thats>the day I will sign up for vatsim.>>Until then, I just enjoy having all the real flights on my>game and don't want to search around for active centers.One problem with that. How can you fly online with your AI, when nobody else will see them? You'd have to have a master network generate and control all the AI, in order for everyone to be in sync. And then how would the human virtual ATC control them?I've got several hundred hours on VATSIM over 2 1/2 years and love it. If I want ATC, I fly on VATSIM (or IVAO), period. If I fly offline, I'm doing VFR GA stuff and not interacting with ATC. FS ATC is just horrible, and RC 3 didn't do it for me (though RC 4 seems pretty good from what I'm reading).Lewis "Moose" GregoryRichmond, Virginia

VATSIM and IVAO both do great job of "simulating" post-nuclear war or post-global disease world of air traffic.Also lots of people who fly and control there (besides that they never sat in real plane pilot seat, not to mention real control tower) tend to treat it dead serious, in some cases more serious than real world. It's much better in US where people tend to be more relaxed about the GAME they play, but in some regions of EU it's so sad that it's almost funny.I usually fly on vatsim when there are big events happening, then it's fun, lot's of traffic, lots of control, people flying B747 from LAX to KSAN, cessnas parked at heavy gates, everyone has different weather and unlimited fuel and ATCs go mad :). I highly recommend taking participation in big events, otherwise, it's rather boring.

From my short time on line I totally agree with Daniel. The controllers have been great in every aspect from professionalism to helping me with questions in the private chat section. Some of the areas were spare this weekend because of the holidays. To me that is completely understandable. Monday however, I got brave and flew from KLAX to KLAS. It was very busy and the controller did a super job. I find it very pleasing to be able to use the charts and use voice atc. It adds another challenge to just jumping in and flying around using FS's poor commands. The biggest thing I like is being able to use Sids and Stars which FS is not capable of. It has been fun to read and study them and then apply what you read in the sim. In my perspective VATSIM is only going to get better. I am glad I made the decision to try it. Scott Burke

I find myself smirking when OFFline folks complain about ATC coverage in the ONline world -- now, in my view, in the OFFline world, there is 100% NO ATC!Pushing buttons in sync with stereotypic canned "ATC", all alone with just you and your PC, just doesn't do it for me.Honestly, if you haven't tried it, you are really missing out. The folks that do ATC online are tested and examined on their procedures before they ever get a chance to control. Most have a wealth of knowledge, some are real world controllers. It is very likely that they will be able to teach you something. Most, I find, also have the patience of Job when it comes to Newbies -- no need to be afraid to try it out.There is nothing like the thrill of interaction with real people, with tons of traffic, at a busy event online.In additonal, recently VATUSA has taken to "regional" coverage by the day of the week. For example the east is covered on Monday evenings, and so on. Europe is very regimented with their coverage, you can even look up what will be covered and when, and it seems that they are virtually always covered in the 5pm to 10pm local time slot.One of the big impediments to flying online before was the software setup, well it is now little more than a one button install, and you have the choice of two excellent freeware packages.Come on in, the water is just fine!* Orest

Couldn't edit it, that's "In addition, ..."* Orest