I was wondering if it would be possible to fly on VATSIM with ATC using the new PDC/CPDLC feature on the FBAA320 without speaking? I find it easier to see everything displayed on the screen instead of speaking it to me. This would make flying online VATSIM a whole lot easier for me.

Text only should be banned already on vatsim. Flying in an atc online network without speaking. Makes sense yeah

Don’t text and fly!

 

21 minutes ago, DaWu said:

Text only should be banned already on vatsim. Flying in an atc online network without speaking. Makes sense yeah

I know of a couple of simmers who have speech problems who are able to fly on Vatsim because of the Text only feature. Removing it will only alienate and be unfair for simmers like them.

It can also be an important step while learning vatsim because new users might lack the confidence to immediately go to voice transmission. I started the same way until I gained the confidence to actually speak to ATC using the mic.

If you really want an all voice ATC network, then Pilotedge is available anyway.

1 hour ago, captain420 said:

I was wondering if it would be possible to fly on VATSIM with ATC using the new PDC/CPDLC feature on the FBAA320 without speaking? I find it easier to see everything displayed on the screen instead of speaking it to me. This would make flying online VATSIM a whole lot easier for me.

To actually answer your question, it's not an 'either-or' situation.  CPDLC is used in the enroute phase of flight and is mostly used to reduce frequency congestion.  Not all facilities use it.  In fact, almost none use it in the US.

So...you can use text or voice and also CPDLC when it's available.  Only a few aircraft even have the equipment to use CPDLC in the sim.

8 hours ago, captain420 said:

I was wondering if it would be possible to fly on VATSIM with ATC using the new PDC/CPDLC feature on the FBAA320 without speaking? I find it easier to see everything displayed on the screen instead of speaking it to me. This would make flying online VATSIM a whole lot easier for me.

What is it exaclty that you find difficult? Let me tell you, that it will become easier when you get used to it. Without knowing about your experience and how long you have been flying on vatsim, I would suggest you focus on flying always the same route for the beginning. Choose two airports that are relatively easy to depart from and arrive to with a decend atc coverage.

If you gain experience you will already have an idea what the controller might say next and then reading it back will become much smoother, since you already know what to expect. If you don't understand, just ask him to "say again", and then you might get what he wants the second time. It's no shame in asking. If that doesn't work either, just tell him to say again in a slower pace or transmit you the information on text. If you feel unsure, you can still add into the remark section of your flight plan, that you are not yet confident with voice. I am sure most ATC will take this into consideration or at least have more understanding for your situation.

If you choose the simple way by avoiding voice in the beginning, you probably won't learn to communicate with ATC as fast or ever. That I think would lead to frustration not only on your side and reduce the fun-level enormously.

Just give it time and you'll enjoy talking to ATC as much as we all do.

"Mike fright" is a known even among real world novice pilots, but as noted above there are individuals who have communication issues of one sort of another. In addition, those who are not native speakers of English, the international language of ATC, find it easier to get started using English text rather than voice communications in countries where the official language is other than their own. And finally there are those pilots who are keeping watch over sleeping spouses or children at home while flying on VATSIM who need to keep their voices down.

I should add that I have seen VATSIM controllers who are so skilled at what they do that they can control simultaneously using voice and text in times of voice channel congestion. Yours truly was never in that class, believe me.

I always wonder what is fun of using Vatsim when you are gonna use text instead of voice. The only one reason comes to my mind is when for example you have kids, who are sleeping and you do not want to disturb them - that is fine. Other than that...? 

What at worst can happen when you are new to VATSIM and do sth wrong? 

Will ATC kill you for that? - NO!

Will ATC yell at you? - NO! 

Will ATC say to log off? - NO! 

If you have common sense and know your aircraft (well, so you are able to enter hold, directs, etc.) and know BASIC phraseology - you are absolutely fine! 

The only thing to avoid flying on VATSIM (as new member) is flying during busy events - thats the only way that ATC can (but do not have to) advice you to disconnect if you are unable execute ATC commands smoothly