Today I had my first controlled flight on Vatsim with FS24. I actually flew for the first time on Vatsim yesterday, but there were no controllers on at my departure, route and destination. so I used that as an opportunity to listen to other pilots on UNICOM during my journey.
Today (Fri 24 Jan) I logged in at EGSS with a planned departure of 1100 to the Isle of Man. This was my first Vatsim flight where there were controllers present. At EGSS I had GROUND and then it was straight over to London Control and finally UNICOM for the remainder of my journey.
I was very nervous when I had to make me first call to EGSS Ground for IFR clearance - took me about five minutes to actually PTT and say something. I had done a lot of pre-study including watching hours of YouTube, using BeyondATC and listening in as an observer. All this really paid off when I came to make my first controlled flight.
Despite being busy both of the controllers I spoke to were patient with me and spoke clearly and slowly (I had put in the FP remarks that I was new to Vatsim). The EGSS controller was really good and very helpful when I had to ask a “dumb question”. He gave me the exact information I needed.
The London Controller was so busy with so many aircraft to deal with, yet he did not seem one bit annoyed with me when I asked him to repeat something.
Both of these controllers were so professional and both really gave me a huge confidence boost when speaking to them.
Looking forward to my next Vatsim flight.
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Welcome on Networks (be it VATSIM or IVAO). You’ll generally observe that ATCs are very friendly, especially with newcomers. I’m glad you overcame the “first time PTT issue”.
Congratz on jumping over that fence.
I wish you the best on the networks 
K.
Welcome!
There’s no going back to AI ATC, or in Sim ATC once you start using a network.
Even if there’s no controllers I’d rather use unicom and CTAF.
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Well done!! Yes, VATSIM provides the highest level of immersion and I’m so glad you had a great first experience! You did all the right things - study the procedures, watch videos, listen as observer… instead of just barging in and using it like it’s just multiplayer. So, again, well done!! I have been a VATSIM user for countless years and I just don’t like to use the sim without it… having said that - I discovered SayIntentions the other day. (a bit off topic here, sorry…) It is great even stand alone when there are no VATSIM controllers online… but one of the greatest features is how it can be used when you get handed off to unicom. When a controller sends you to the great black hole of 122.8, SayIntentions will automatically detect this and take over from there. I have had a few great hybrid VATSIM/SI flights in the past few days. It is certainly not a VATSIM replacement, but it does help fill the unicom-void when there are no controllers online.
Anyway, well done!! Hope to hear/see you in the virtual skies on VATSIM one day soon!
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Welcome to the wonderful world of VATSIM!
I’ll never forget my first flight back in April 2016, where I logged on at EGPH and in a nervous state forgot to ask for pushback and start clearance by the controller on Scottish Center. I also noted how incredibly busy it was on the network and was impressed that there were so many aircraft and controllers online… It later transpired that I’d logged onto the network during the bi-annual “Cross The Pond” event, which is by far the busiest VATSIM event of the year! 
Good luck as you continue your journey and learning experience on the network.
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Reminds me of when I was a newly qualified Military Policeman (many years ago) and I had to log onto the civilian Police radio network, which we had to do if ever we went out of the military base in a marked patrol vehicle. Took me ten minutes to pluck up the courage just to call up the control room on the radio and log on as on duty. 
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I have a feeling I am going to agree with you there. 
Thank you. I’ve started with flying between two relatively quiet airports that are manned, and spawning in at a gate near to the departure runway. In that way I can get used to shorter taxi instructions before I spawn in at further gates, and the controller will have more time to help me if needed.