Consider OpenKneeboard with graphics tablet (like Wacom) for copying clearances while in VR:
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You can bring the entire desktop of separate PC (like old notebook) to VR using VNC - one of the features of this tool:
https://flightsimulator.me/
You can run any app on the other PC and see and control in from the VR cockpit, via the AllInOneTablet.
I’m still to venture into Vatsim, but with BeyondATC incoming, I’m still looking for a solution to the challenge of needing to somehow record lengthy clearances, so this will certainly be worth a look.
Up until now, I’ve been relying on the assistance co-pilot to readback and the MSFS ATC taxi clearances don’t tend to be overly complicated, at least not for the airports I regularly use. I still, perhaps shamefully, use the taxi trail feature, but as that will probably be a non-starter for BeyondATC and definitely for Vatsim, my taxis-of-shame are very likely to be shortlived. ;p
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Thanks, but I think we were looking for something we could use in VR.
This needs more things to be IN and can’t be answered with few lines of text.
My recommendations, important most from point1 to up and very basically.
- Controlled/Uncontrolled Airports type. Learn difference at some webs/documentations. Generally at uncontrolled Airports (now on VATSIM USA perfect CTAF feature in test time) all are on CTAF freq and doing their job as want. Typically here I recommend any Youtube famous Pilot Person with this flights - typically Schmiindy. Paaaaaaaa
- In case you understand Airports type and Airspaces, you can then easy select ATC depended because of ATC’s airspace is occupied. In case you don’t know, its easy to contact and ATC will be very friendly with help what freq to set. Controlled Airports generally manage lowest ATC available as first contact - for clearance, taxi but pay attention that Delivery and Ground have own restrictions what they can do, not allow give clearance for departure/land. Logical. If I see on my airport (lets say KATL) that KATL_CTR is there as highest but also KATL_GND, will call for first contact GND, as I said previously as rule.
- positions, lowest to highest
DEL, GND, TWR, APP, CTR
I think that many users want find in Vatsim some kind of Multiplayer (no doubts it is) but forget primary option what VATSIM is for - simulate ATC and traffic as close to reality as possible, so it means that is expected to also understand rules as real pilots need to understand, depended to type of flight. Also think pls that rules are different Country to Country, region.
The all-in-one tablet has a virtual scratchpad that allows this! I use it all the time for writing down clearances in VR. In fact, I never lift the headset. VATSIM Radio, All-in-one tablet (and navigraph) provide everything I need…
Thanks for the response.
I have been using VSR, Navigraph, and Sky4Sim which provides the frequencies, airport charts, sectional charts (etc.) and a scratch pad to copy clearances, etc. It works just fine for VFR flying as long as the clearances are not given faster than I can write them down with a mouse. I’ve even made up my own shorthand which speeds things along considerably. But I’m afraid that IFR clearances would be way too much for me to write down as fast as I need to.
My question is “Has anyone been able to successfully write down long and complicated clearances with a mouse and an in-panel tablet. Is it just a matter of practice, or do you just have to take off the headset and use a paper and pencil?”
I really want to hear from someone who flies IFR on VATSIM (or Pilotedge) in virtual reality without taking off the headset to write clearance information.
I need testimonials, people! 
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I think you have misunderstood my question. I well understand the procedures and rules of real-world ATC, airspaces, and all that. My original question was just about the way VATSIM ATC is organized. I understand now that if there is no airport clearance delivery, for example, or ground or tower on-line, I direct requests to the controlling ATC entity up the chain. But in that case I address them as “Departure.” or “Center,” not “Clearance,” “Ground,” or “Tower.”
In Pilotedge, one person may control several (or all) frequencies but they are addressed differently depending on the frequency you have dialed. “Tower” is always “Tower” even if it’s the same guy you just talked to on “Ground.” Obviously VATSIM takes a different approach.
absolutely. I ONLY fly on VATSIM and I ONLY fly in VR. 100% of the time I don’t get a PDC, I am able to use the virtual tablet, in VR, without taking off the headset. Ever. Here’s what I do (and I do this to some extent in real life, too):
Before calling for clearance, again, all in VR - I’ll write down as much of the CRAFT as I can from my filed route. I know the clearance limit (my destination), so I write that down first. I know the SID I filed (or the first fix if no SID), so I write that down. Here is where I leave lots of space to write down amendments or additions… I know the altitude i filed, so I write that down.
Now I call up… most of my clearance is already written down. If they say "climb via the SID), I’ll just write down CVS next to the SID. If they say “radar vectors” I’ll write down RV… if they say “then as filed” I’ll write down AF…
Copying the freq isn’t hard, nor is the squawk.
That’s it. That’s how I do it in VR and IRL. You will get your own shorthand over time… I came up with my own after a few IFR flights.
DM me if you want and I’ll send you a link or two to past livestreams with timestamps where I can show you this in action (I don’t want to spam this thread with my videos 
)
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Wow!! This is very helpful. So basically it’s a matter of thinking (and writing) ahead to minimize the amount of info you have to take down on the fly. Makes total sense! An extension of the shorthand I already use for VFR.
Thanks for showing me that is absolutely CAN be done. You’ve restored my hope.
Absolutely!!
Ok, I’m violating my own rule… Posting this just so you can see how it can be done (no self-promotion here… lol I just do this for fun anyway)
Check out around 9:30 in this video… shows I already have the clearance pre-written on the tablet. And this guy was fairly fast giving my clearance (in terms of VATSIM controllers, I’ve had faster IRL )… I was able to quickly add the “Radar Vectors” and “As Filed” and scratch down the squawk with no problem.
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eeeeeeehm,
this was not answer pointed to you exactly, just my thoughts and experience. Ok, to your next text:
- But in that case I address them as “Departure.” or “Center,” not “Clearance,” “Ground,” or “Tower.”
You call ATC as is its position. If it is Center then you call Center, if APP then Approach or as is stated in his Info. Why this I write? It is common mistake that Pilots see CTR and call center but this can be Radar so it can be this mistake although Radar covers complete Country same as Center, as example.
- In Pilotedge, one person may control several (or all) frequencies but they are addressed differently depending on the frequency you have dialed. “Tower” is always “Tower” even if it’s the same guy you just talked to on “Ground.” Obviously VATSIM takes a different approach.
No, same functionality has also Vatsim, one controller can share more positions with vissible different frequencies. You simply don’t care if it is same man/woman behind Mic, you see correct required frequency and call.
I think we might be saying the same thing, and it’s quite hard to explain. Here is an example from VATSIM:
Suppose I want to fly from Provo (KPVU, a towered Class D airport) but the nearest manned frequency is Salt Lake Center. In real life I would call Provo Ground for taxi instructions. But in VATSIM, because there is no one on that frequency, I must call Salt Lake Center. When I call them I address them as “Salt Lake Center,” give them my location at Provo, and ask for taxi instructions, then I stay on the same frequency for take-off instructions, departure, flight following, etc.
In Pilotedge I would call the published Provo Ground frequency, address them as “Provo Ground,” and get taxi instructions from them. Next I would dial up Provo Tower, address them as “Provo Tower” and request take-off clearance. If I then need flight following I would switch to the appropriate Departure or Center frequency to make the request. In other words I would switch to the appropriate real life frequencies even though the same person might be manning all of those frequencies.
It’s a little bit of “Let’s Pretend” either way.
Does that make sense?
Yes, clear to me,
PilotEdge then is functional differently, simply all freq are there, let we can say. Yes, on Vatsim if controller will not create another freq, then they aren’t accessible. Sry only for correct understanding. I expect your Airport where you are to be part of this controller’s region (like your mentioned Salt Lake City CTR) logically.
I signed up and tested for VATSIM quite awhile ago, but never gave it a go due to the lack of ATC availability where I am primarily flying.
I noted, on the website, that they are now trailing CTAF.
I know it seems counter-VATSIM-like to start my VATSIM career off at my local airfield doing pattern work and making my presence known on CTAF, but I’m seriously thinking about doing so.
Have any of you made use of CTAF since they started the trial in March? How is that working out?
How would that work if I were flying between KPRB and KKIC, for example? I’d use CTAF when at KPRB and then would I switch to 122.800 for the duration of the flight until I was 10 miles out of KKIC and then utilize CTAF for my approach? When I switch to 122.800 would I need to announce my presence?
Would it matter? You’d probably be the only one on the frequency anyway… I wish more people would use online ATC services because it would add life to the sim, but sadly we’re somehow all to introverted.
I have no idea if it would matter and that isn’t even the issue.
I just want to understand what the process is. VATSIM appears, from the outside looking in, to be strict about protocol, so I want to understand it. I don’t fully understand VATSIM’s use of, what they call, UNICOM and its universal frequency of 122.800. Is every single person worldwide who is flying outside of a currently controlled area going to be communicating on 122.800?
Am I going to be hearing radio traffic from the East Coast of the USA when I’m over here on the West Coast flying?
I believe that you only hear other aircraft that are within the range of the signal. I’m not sure what that range is but, no, you won’t hear pilots from across the globe.
Also, you are expected to use the airport’s CTAF frequency while within range.
UNICOM is now only used to monitor between CTAF’s. It is monitor-only. You are not expected to make contact or announce your position.
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Thank you, that is the kind of information I was seeking.