Hello everyoneI'm new here and a bit of a novice. I have been flying off and on for about a year and a half now and never really thought about online flying until recently and i have a few questionsThe first one is am i correct in saying you just can't open up a server list like you can on most games unless you download and add on?? Second, if that is the case i have been looking at SATCO/VATSIM and SB3 .All i want to do is fly online, nothing fancy yet like updating in realtime or anything, just flying and conversing with people around me.Do i need all of these or will just one work or is there something else i use to get online cause SB3 seems like a lot of work just to get an online server list but if that is the case...so be it Are any of the more stable or have a better gui??And last i have been searching for the old hong kong airport to practice some really hard landings but i don't think f/s9 has it in the files ...am i wrongThanks

I find it interesting you mention SATCO which has been defunct for some time now. The two main avenues of online flight are VATSIM and IVAO. SB3 and FSINN are the two main methods to interface with them.I'm most familiar with SB3 and once installed it's basically a 1-click operation to get connected and very stable. Course you need to obtain a VATSIM or IVAO pilot ID which is also painless.On the other hand you can join other multiplayer avenues via microsoft's gaming site. However if you're looking to interact with real ATC then VATSIM or IVAO is the way to go.For more information go to http://vatsim.net.As for the old Hong Kong airport do a search on AVSIM under Kai Tak and you'll find a rather lenghty thread on some freeware recently released so you can fly the "checker board approach".

Thanks,I found the Kai Tak and got SB3 and VATSIM and will set it up this wekend but i'm not sure if i'm good enought yet for ATC unless there is a server for beginners. If not, i will try to do the microsoft sites but if they are anything like some of the open racing servers i go on from time to time i will be messsssy.I fly gps most of the time and can get my settings for auto pilot with no problem and landing is not a problem. But i have not yet done an insturment approach or learned how to use the transponders, I have an understanding but thats about it so i would proably just be getting in the way.Some people like me learn better by example and i wonder if there is a server out there that you can log on to and have someone narrate, if not it might be something to look into. Like maybe 2 hour sessions once or twice a week. That is something i do on a lot or racing sims.Again thanks for the info

There's also a pilot resource center on the VATSIM front page that may be of some help to you also.If you want you can file "newbie" in the remarks section of your flight plan so the controller knows what's going on.They will usually be able to suggest routes for you, etc depending on their workload.VATSIM leans more towards the real world procedures so it's not a bad idea to bone up first. It won't take long though. Before you know it you'll be filing SID's and STAR's and doing long hauls. :-)You might also want to choose an ARTCC to join and get with a mentor for some quick lessons.Have a great time, I do both controlling and flying online! It's the only way to go IMO.

Glad you found what you were looking for. Jeff's correct and I wholeheartedly recommend taking a look at the Pilot Resource Center.Good Luck,

Sounds exactly where i need to go, hopefully it will not take long before i can make it as rel as possiable.And thanks to both of you.One last thing,My email account has changed since i used to post here and i can not find a profile link to change things.......or am i just blind.David