I used VATSIM for the first time today flying IFR from JFK to BOS in a C172 and… wow!
As an irl PPL almost done with instrument rating MSFS has been an invaluable tool to supplement my training, but using VATSIM today took it to the next level.
Pretty amazing what we can do on a computer nowadays.
Even next level is pilotedge. PE uses all the real world frequencies so your adding that workload of going from clearance, ground, tower, departure ect making it a bit closer to real world of the radio calls ect. Obviously if vatsim has all the appropriate controllers on you get a close enough representation. The main difference obviously is PE is paid and only about half the country, but it’s been an invaluable tool when I went for my PPL and now going for my IR also.
How far along with your instrument rating? I’m a few XC and foggle time shy of scheduling my checkride.
Vatsim is an absolute gamechanger!
For anyone even remotely thinking about it, do it, you’re nervous as all get up the first few times but they are very tolerant and will help you along.
If you’re really unsure, start using Pilot2ATC to get you talking back and forth using pretty much the same phraseology.
+1 for PilotEdge, costly for only the West Coast but 100% accurate.
I’m definitely looking for the most realistic experience so thanks, I’ll take a look at PE.
Sounds like we’re at the same point on the IR. Doing my flying in the Seattle area. Where do you fly out of?
The nice thing about PilotEdge is although you pay for it, you are guaranteed coverage from 8AM PST to 11PM PST. So if you are flying on the West Coast you are covered.
If you are flying out of the West Coast you are covered on the way out and you can switch to VATSIM once you leave PE air space. Same applies flying from the East in. Start out on VATSIM and switch to PE as you enter their airspace.
I’m based out of Farmingdale on Long Island (kfrg). Actually didn’t even think about what others mentioned already is the guaranteed coverage. No hunting trying to figure out where to fly or if a controller is gonna go offline while enroute. I’ve had so many flights depart with controllers only to have them go offline before arriving. It’s not a knock on vatsim at all it’s absolutely fantastic at what it does. Everyone’s always been helpful even long before I started going for my ppl and had no idea what I was doing. Pe though is truly “as real as it gets”. They are even hosting simventure which is the online version of air venture if your wanting to experience the fun of air venture in the sim or practice before you go - custom scenery and all.
Agreed. PilotEdge is great and authentic in terms of ATC communications. Nothing against VatSim, but PE is modeled for full realism on airspace and ATC coverage as well as all positions being filled in the airspace served. It may be the same controller working different positions, but for the pilot out there working on a private or instrument rating the communications will be the same and it is an invaluable tool I wish I had during my training in the 90s.
I just explored the website and this is what i’m looking for. Especially with the coverage assured.
How did you even learn without foreflight in the 90’s? LOL
Ive said this to my instructor numbers times lmao. I’ve been fortunate enough my local school has steam and g1000 172’s and I’ve done instrument XC’s on both. As much as I like steam gauge, I can’t go back lol. Most certainly not for IFR flights anyway!
You’ll def love PE if you enjoyed vatsim. My most memorable flight I think was from Vegas to Prescott oe PE, I must’ve spoke with 4 or 5 different controllers (actual different people) as I was passed across the diff frequencies. PE does have some overlap at times where you may speak to the same person on Ground, Tower, Approach, etc, but you’re tuning all the appropriate frequencies and such. Although this isn’t that uncommon in the real world as there have been times depending on workload that FRG’s clearance, ground and tower have all been the same person. Even NY approach sometimes has one controller working two diff frequencies.
How did you even learn without foreflight in the 90’s? LOL
To make things worse, we didn’t even have GPS back then let alone Foreflight with a moving map with a sectional overlay. DME was a marvel to me when I flew an airplane that had it. Knowing GS when flying directly to or from a VOR was a thing of beauty. After getting my PPL in 1997 there was a 172 on the field that had a GPS with an LCD screen. It could show 1-2 lines of data - no moving map. It had a CDI, ETA, ETE, GS and DTG.
PilotEdge also has a free trial. 14 days or 5 hours on the server, whichever comes first. It is worth the 20 bucks a month. The LA area is much busier and more authentic because of the higher traffic volume. I have not used the western region but an Air Traffic Controller that has helped be the voice of ATC in some of my YouTube videos uses both regions and the LA area is the one to use if you’re thinking about it.
Pretty cool how far we’ve come.
During my X-cnrty stage check for PPL training, the instructor said just before the flight no foreflight, just the paper sectional which I was very familiar with but had never used in flight. I was nervous because of no moving map, but it ended up going well. It was actually very cool using real pilotage and dead reckoning, and an eye-opening experience. I def gained a newfound respect for those who learned before moving maps and GPS were a regular thing.
Now I fly G1000 along with foreflight for my instrument rating which blows my mind every flight.
During my very first solo x-country, my iPad poo’d the bed on climbout from the heat in the cockpit. I reached over, grabbed my paper sectional, and continued on my merry way.
Got my IR last November. Instrument flying is a freaking blast. If you have any checkride questions or concerns, hit me. I got put through the ringer. 
The situational awareness you get from a G1000 is literally a safety thing. If you have that option you’d be foolish not to take advantage of it. Plus good luck flying IFR without GPS nowadays. They killed the VOR near us this past year (but left the TACAN component - explain that one to me!)
Oh 100%. Before I started flying with the G1000 I didn’t think much of it, but actually flying with one is a game changer.
Awesome you enjoy VATSIM! Clocked 6,300 hours so far myself across a number of sims and really, really enjoy it. Most of my time is flying in light GA aircraft (generally in ZBW and ZLA). Tried PilotEdge myself a while back and I didn’t find it worth it for a few reasons. Some things that PilotEdge has VATSIM beat at the moment will be overcome later on. If you haven’t already I do suggest you try out FNO (Friday Night Ops). They are very, very fun to participate in.
If you fly in an area that has Vatsim controllers (Volunteers) on duty in most or all of the areas of Gnd, Twr, Appr, Departure and Center control then the simulation is REALLY REALLY GOOD ! It is almost as good as being there. Nothing better than real human controllers to talk to. I love VatSim.
That’s a big “if”… I’m lucky to get even one controller active at any time in my home area. And when they are online, they don’t seem to know what to do with VFR traffic.
I do a whole lot of flying under VFR myself. Something I have learned is to not limit yourself on where you fly, I fly very little in ZFW myself which is the ARTCC that covers where I live.
Like I said most of my flying is in ZBW and ZLA (the controllers there do quite a good job with VFR traffic, I’m sure you can find more or less the same competence elsewhere too). Yes I agree with you that some aren’t the best but this is what the feedback section on the ARTCC website can be used for.
I’ve started to learn how to fly elsewhere around the world and have bought VFR charts online. It’s a very, very fun learning experience. I’ve had controllers in Europe tell me they were impressed with my skills flying VFR both from the radio and navigation side of things, they don’t expect an American to be that good.
You could always fly in a very active area. My hometown KPNS (Pensacola, FL, Home of the Blue Angels) NEVER has any coverage from VatSim. They are volunteers and are active at hundreds of sim facilities all over the globe just not in my hometown.
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Whenever I want real ATC, human controlled, I fly near areas that have lots of active controllers. Easy enough to find. Happy Flying.