I'm not a real world pilot, but I've been flight simming over 30 years.

I study aviation as a hobby and have been doing so, trying to "play" flight simulator as realistically as I can.
I always look up the airport and study the airspace around it, so I can fly it "properly" unless I'm just checking out the scenery for something, then I'll buzz the are with the "drone"

I'm finding that it's been making me a bit weary - it's exhausting. I don't know how you real pilots deal with it.
I realize real pilots don't jump around the world like we can in sim, so you do get to know your area very well.
I had a friend in high school that started flying and he complained about all the rules and regulations and how it was burning him out. 
He told me, I just want to fly and not have to worry about all the rules... I now actually get that.

But, when I do just fly without regard to airspace then I feel like I'm cheating myself or something.
I know it's just a sim and there is no FAA and all that but still.

Now, this is just USA airspace, then you add in Canada and other parts of the world and OY! My brain spins!

So, how do you all deal with it or do you just fly and don't worry about airspace, etc.?

Edited June 28, 20214 yr by briansommers
the words

If you’re doing GA type  simming then airspace boundaries are probably more relevant. Certainly in airline IFR type flying we don’t really bother about it , the only time you worry is if you’re told you’re about to leave it, while deviating around weather for example. Once you’re outside controlled airspace you’re open to all sorts of  bandits coming too close.

Not sure what sim you’re using, I’m guessing MSFS, but in P3D there’s on option to make the airspace visible out of your window as shaded transparent blocks.

I know what your friend means about rules and regulations, when I first went from buzzing around wherever I wanted as a  bush pilot to flying for an airline I really didn’t like having to stick to airways and follow timetables.

The amount of regulations in modern aviation is getting ridiculous now.

I had an almost 10 year old computer and it crapped out a month before MSFS released. It took me 10 months to finally save up for a nice new machine that arrived a week ago. 
 

I had forgotten that cool feature in P3d about showing 3D airspace. I didn’t even use it, that would be helpful to learn an area now. 
 

And yes…lots of VFR

Edited June 28, 20214 yr by briansommers

my ipad is only 32 GB  - I really need 128?

 

would the $99 package be good enough?

 

Edited June 28, 20214 yr by briansommers

Brian, as you correctly pointed out , this is a pain in VFR flying.😬

(Following applies to EASA SERA framework)

As VFR pilots, we are not transferred automaticly to next station, our received airspace clearance limit is basically within the airspace of the station who issues the clearance. Sure, if time permits, we might get suggestion who to contact for further clearance, but  it's up to you as VFR pilot to know this (and again ATC has no responsibility to hand you over in VFR, that onus is on the PIC. it's also your responsibility to report position & leaving frequency).

Even though I am quite familiar with the airspace around my home base. (we have CTR, ATZ, TIZ all within 5 nm and obviously a TMA above it as long as the CTR is staffed) I will take notes of any oddities pertaining: airspace along my route. 

If my Tower is closed, but the AFIS aerodrome next to us is open, we have a TIA 1500ft above us and you need to broadcast intentions to the AFIS controller when entering the TIA, despite it being an uncontrolled airspace. So yes, check the bloody NOTAMs for hours of services and have updated charts. Note: It happens that foreflight/skydemon etc fails to update temporary changes.  😁

And to make matters more confusing, some weeks ago basically all TMA callsigns in Sweden were switched from "control" to  "approach" (I did a 5hr cross country the same day it went into effect, there were many perplexed radio calls that day)

Also let's not forget, nowadays it's common you also have to submit a PPR beforehand in order to start and/or land at an airport. (a filed ATS flightplan does not count). 

On 6/28/2021 at 4:11 PM, briansommers said:

So, how do you all deal with it or do you just fly and don't worry about airspace, etc.?

I'm a "serious simmer" in terms of the amount of time and money I spend on this thing, but have no interest in obeying anybody's rules about where or how I should fly. I don't do multiplayer, and as far as I'm concerned this is my planet to explore as and when I feel like it. I'm about 99% (very) low and slow and just love to explore, so airspace, atc and all that stuff is like some kind of virtual taxman as far as I'm concerned. Something to be avoided. Maybe I should change my tag to Alfred E Neuman <grin>