Don’t even know where to ask this question, I would have expected there be a VATSIM sub-category under multiplayer. Anyway, I’ve used VATSIM in X-Plane so just need some super quick guidance with regard to MSFS.
When starting a flight which settings do I use on the “Flight Conditions” page?
I.e. Multiplayer? Air traffic?
Thanks.
I would recommend disabling multiplayer and air traffic; you’ll want to encounter only the VATSIM traffic in your sim. You should also stick to live weather and time if possible, since those conditions are closest to what ATC and other pilots will be working with.
Good luck finding a controller where you want to fly. I always wound up on Unicomm.
Yeah, I agree. I haven’t used in VATSIM in at least a year now. I’m online at KMCO and there are no controllers. That is actually fairly shocking. It’s actually got me wondering if I’m setup correctly but fairly certain I am. I see myself online at SimAware.
You won’t see many controllers online Sunday morning. It should get better throughout the day. There is a helpful app called VatScope which shows which sectors and airports have atc coverage.
Here is a site where you can see controllers that are on, for where you want to fly. Many times, for the entire USA, there are only about 5-10 controllers. That is why I stopped flying with Vatsim years ago. https://www.vattastic.com/
Yeah Vatsim can be a great experience when enough controllers are online, and for a predetermined amount of time. It’s always frustrating when a controller logs off just about when you’re about to get into their airspace, but they are volunteers so not much you can do.
I find myself using VatSim more during events because controllers will be available during predetermined times, and built-in ATC the rest of the time.
Today there is an event in Memphis Memphis in May
Or currently Sh3ed is manning Boston Center, his Twitch stream is always fun to watch and informational. He will always answer questions or if you’re a Newbie he is patient and professional with pilots. Twitch
Does anyone see callsign labels above other traffic on Vatsim? I can see other planes but they are missing callsign labels.
Will also show you sectors that are online, I fly daily and always get coverage for at least part of my flight, I’m based in the uk and mainly fly in Europe tho
Quick straw poll. Would you accept less polished controllers if there were more controllers on-line?
I feel like I’m having audio issues despite everything being set up correctly. I have tested my mic in vClient and it seems to be set up correct and on occasion I will hear audio from other pilots. But never from controllers. I have announced a need for a COM check but don’t get a response. What gives? And in vClient I have tested the mic, and then for the headset I have also tested that it works.
I have been wanting to try Vatsim too, but it seems like it mostly centers around the UK. Heck, if YouTube is an indicator, one would think that almost everyone on MSFS is British. That is what is keeping me from trying Vatsim because I have no interest in flying in England and I have difficulty understanding the accent.
I am a VatSim member, however, I have been away since late last year.
I plan to install the vatsim software in MSFS 2020 and get going again.
VatSim makes everything so realistic. Someone mentioned that most flyers were in the UK. I have found hundreds of VatSim flyers all over the US… The ATC is well done and professional. It is a great tool if your wanting to use MSFS 2020 as a “Flight Simulator” and not a game.
The Volanta app is also great way to see VATSIM coverage and it does much more than that. https://volanta.app to take a look or download the app.
SimToolKitPro is also a great tool to have as well, flying on or off VatSim. https://simtoolkitpro.co.uk/
Most Vatsim related questions are handled here in their forum for example.
https://forums.vatsim.net/forum/329-vpilot/
I appreciate the experience and the professional controllers. Europe and many parts of US is nicely covered.
There is a lot of vatsim coverage in the USA. I fly al” lot around KATL, KSFO,KLAX and other East coast areas. Never had any problems finding places to fly. I also enjoy flying in Europe as well different vibe but being in the west coast of the hours can be a bit challenging.
Vatsim really brings another level of enjoyment to the sim and the challenge of managing the airplane, reading charts and bringing the plane to its destination safely is very satisfying and really pushes you to learn to fly the plane better. Doing it in VR is a whole different level of immersion…
Use my mobile app VatView to see online coverage:
iphone: VatView on the App Store
android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gevahim.vatview
Nope. This is why God created CTAF. 122.8 on Vatsim.
nope. thats what makes vatsim the best, imo. when you have a good session and everyone (pilots included) knows what they’re doing, its practically indistinguishable from the real world.
if you want less proficient controllers, theres ivao… in fact, im pretty sure thats why satco split into vatsim and ivao 20 years ago… the ivao people wanted less stringent training requirements.