I have always wanted to fly on VATSIM but have been way too anxious and nervous that I would mess something up. I have a pretty good understanding of IFR, but by NO MEANS am I “good” and my first flight from DFW to KIAH was awesome. The VATSIM controllers (shout out to HOU Center and HOU Approach) were awesome, complimentary, and totally patient.
If you’re looking for the next step in flight sim’ing, I urge you to try VATSIM out. There’s so many materials to learn and the community, so far, has been amazing.
Nothing to be afraid of, they are generally pretty chill.
DO NOT claim you have charts if you don’t tho… Because if they give you an STAR and then you start asking for vectors, that causes them problems. There is nothing wrong with not having some of the charts, just be honest with them so they know what to expect from you.
If you’re flying VFR, totally easy… drop in and go! If you’re IFR, its a little more, but if they aren’t overloaded they will usually steer you right. Just jump in, its not scary.
VATSIM is great fun. I decided to become a controller so I’m training on ground and clearance delivery. Take a flight out of Winnipeg sometime, we could use the traffic, haha.
That’s the thing. We need more users. I’m new to it, I’ve got 15 hours or so on Vatsim, and I use it every flight now. The only way for it to get better is more users. It’s great.
Rest assured that nothing is going to happen to you, been using the network for ~10 years and throw myself into events that have loads of commercial traffic and I fly light general aviation almost exclusively in them. If you’re an avid VFR flyer VATSIM is awesome, charts from SkyVector are invaluable, things like VRPs on charts are actually of value and you can use them to let ATC where you are on initial callup and also sometimes ATC will tell you to report when reaching said VRP.
Small update: I just completed my first Vatsim flight and the first word that comes to mind is: ‘stressfull’…
But it was still a very positive experience! Let me explain: my dumb monky brain thought that it would be a good idea to fly KLAX-KSFO, a very busy route as it turns out . So after having to set up a whole new route in-game (something I’ve never done before) I was put on hold patterns in-flight (also something I never did before) and then I received a new approach… Again, I never changed that mid-air before. So since I’m really not familiar enough with the A320’s MCDU, and getting new directions all the time… I kinda stressed out a bit. (And FYI the a320 neo is the aircraft I’m most familiar with).
That was the stress part.
Here was the joy: all the ATC people were super kind and patient, they even opened private comms to help me out when I was feeling lost in it all. I can only praise the ATC’s behaviour! I know I couldn’t be as calm and understanding if someone like me held everything up because they’re fumbling on the MCDU and mishearing headings and all and I bet I’m not the only one (at least, I hope not).
Plus hearing all those other pilots doing what they love, and helping others out is pure bliss.
So, yeah… It was pretty stressfull having to cope and adapt to so many other factors that the single player doesn’t provide you. But it sure was a blast, and I’ll be going back for more!
(On a side-note: it’s now really obvious that the in-game ATC gives waaaaaaaaayyyyy more guidance, is more leniant, and actually playes favourites with you… Because besides their odd behaviour, they never really challenge you by rerouting of making you slow down for spacing, etc.)
I absolutely love flying on Vatsim but yeah, I do get the nerves each time in case I make a twit of myself. I tend to avoid the busy large airports because I don’t think I fully understand SIDs and STARs.
Importantly, you need to have a block of time just to yourself. Can’t really have the missus ordering cups of tea and cockpit incursions by the kids. I’ve had to sign off a couple of times mid-flight stating to the controller that I have to deal with unruly passengers.
It does take your simming experience to the next level though for sure.
How about in VR? With the need to have charts and maps accessible, is it more difficult in VR? I wonder if anyone has done a help video of using VATSIM in VR?
Yeah I’m usually limited to nap times and after the little one’s in bed. My 14-year-old is an okay co-pilot though.
While enroute it’s okay to ask the controller if you can step away for a few minutes, which will almost always be approved. But that doesn’t work during departure or arrival
Soon tho 
. So after having to set up a whole new route in-game (something I’ve never done before) I was put on hold patterns in-flight (also something I never did before) and then I received a new approach… Again, I never changed that mid-air before. So since I’m really not familiar enough with the A320’s MCDU, and getting new directions all the time… I kinda stressed out a bit. (And FYI the a320 neo is the aircraft I’m most familiar with).
