live ATC

[Bob Reed]

Hey folks! Well I made my first flight on the VATSIM network last night with real ATC. I must say, there is nothing like it! Yes I was VERY busy in the cockpit as there was only me but WOW! Even when my MCP would not let me lower the altitude (which made me even more busy) I was having a blast. I flew into kO AK. There was ATC from start up to landing. (I did not land flight took a lot longer then I thought more on that in a minute) Taxi, takeoff and CRZ was pretty uneventful. I came into Oakland center and that is where it all changed. There where 35-45 aircraft waiting to land at KOAK!! WOW!! I did my first hold with my CDU! ATC where vectoring us around, changing are speeds we even had a slight fuel emergency while we all waited! ( not my aircraft) I was in a 20 minute hold and I could wait no longer I had to disconnect but all I can say is it was AWESOME! If you have not tried it, swallow that lump in your throat , I know I had to, and give it a try! you will not be sorry!

[James Twomey]

Hi Bob,

That sounds great! What prompted you to try live ATC? I have been thinking about trying it some time however, I don’t know how proficient you have to be to use live ATC.

Regards
James

[3202b]

Well done Bob!, I can't fly without VATSIM anymore - anything less just isn't good enough, there's nothing like knowing the controller you are talking to is a real person! I'm just finishing a longhaul now EGKK-CYVR for the Vancouver fly-in. It looks like it could get busy on approach!

James don't worry, everybody starts out not knowing what to do but you soon get the hang of it - it's a blast you should try it.

Ben

[Bob Reed]

Well the truth..... I am flying WorldFlight this year and they fly on line! I have thought about it for a long while too. The truth is I have always been to afraid to try it. I am not proficient at all yet! In fact I had a friend on line with me which helped tremendously! It was not as bad as I had envisioned. It adds so much to the flight! My biggest problem is trying to remember what they tell you! I will spend a little more time logging into a busy location and just listen to the radio traffic... That helps some.

[James Twomey]

Bob,

I understand you right in your saying that you can log on and just listen to a busy site? I think that would be a great way to easily break into the VATSIM world.

Regards,
James

[Bob Reed]

Well it will help... BUT... The only way to get into it is jump in! I would have waited a long time had I not been pushed. It is a little intimidating at first...

[AndyT]

I recall the first time my Flight Instructor looked at me and said, 'Ok, you handle the radios now'.

I thought the Controller was going to come slap me!
When you are on VATSIM just like in real life, let them know you are a student pilot. Maybe you now how to fly, but you are still a student for ATC...

'Honolulu Approach, Cessna 727 Echo Mike, Student Pilot with Lima is requesting entrance to the Bravo airspace for a full stop landing. Requesting runway 4 right.'

[Bob Reed]

Trust me... NEWBIE is predominate in my remarks!!

[Trevor Hale]

I remember my first Vatsim flight, I am the same as Ben. Unless I am testing functionality of the sim, I can't do any flights offline. I am concerned though, as I was proficient with the PSS Airbus. Now I have switched to PM Boeing software. That hold your talking about on the CDU Bob.. That will generate a new lump in my throat.

Glad you did it and Congrats Buddy.

Can't wait until my sim is able to do my first flight, all over again.

I have never done a transatlantic flight on Vatsim. My first online flight in the sim will be Transatlantic.

Maybe in a few months......

[Bob Reed]

Trevor keep me posted on that as I will need to do trasatlantic as well. I would not mind flying it with you. And maybe i can get Greg to do it with us. He has spreiance at it!