Happy to see you enjoyed it.
It seems ike you didn’t need too much time to get the jist of it. Cudos!
No it was fine. Some controllers are a bit difficult to understand, but most of them are very patient so applause for them. And wow my english has been better, so thats something to accustom to again. 
For some reason i cannot get custom cockpit views (it just won’t change or bind another viewpoint) and the radio knob is a bit difficult to change, so that takes some time. Most of the times i tried to be in front of the controller so i set the next controller on the other frequency already, but controlling with an xbox controller, mouse and keyboard isnt the easiest way. But i hear more people are in trouble during the flight haha
Tried it again an hour ago… AP just wouldnt engage, controller asked me to turn 080d right… programmed that, but it just kept turning for some reason… so told him about control and MSFS problems and disconnected. He said, well see you and try again… thats the spirit
I did my first IFR from from EGGD to EGPH over the weekend, having flown a few VFR flights on VATSIM.
No controllers at EGGD, but picked up a controller for London North.
EGPH had tower and ground, called tower when I reached TAL and was politely told to call when on finals.
All went well landed safely, good hand over to ground and parked up as directed, although there was a bit of delay on my part whilst I looked up taxi way holding points at EGPH.
Thank you to the controllers who were online, you do a great job.
In my experience it makes the whole flying experience so much more immersive and would recommend it to anyone.
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One more question about this.
In the FBWA320 i normally see a lot of (online) controllers. Now, with a lot of the controllers online i don’t see the frequenties anymore?
I know i have to listen. But sometimes, for instance with some language barriers its also easy to see what they say.
Finally plucked up the courage today after a couple of flights deliberately with no ATC.
EGPH to EGCC nice and easy, again, no ATC. Perfect. Then, EGCC tower comes online, cursor hovering over the disconnect button… Nervous beyond words but pressed the button and transmitted. Landing clearance and taxi instructions. I was hooked.
Another EGPH departure to EGKK this time. Lots online. Had to request clearance, just missed London Centre, then contacted by a very busy Gatwick Director. After a dodgy initial call, all went well. Vectors everywhere, listening intently to the constant transmissions trying to pick out my callsign. Landed and parked, I’m so glad I’ve got a few days off work this week. Not sure what I’ll throw myself into next!!
All the software has been sitting on my computer for over a year now. Not sure why I didn’t do it sooner!!!
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Your first vatsim flight went a lot better than my first one. It was a night time IFR flight a few days ago. The instruction from tower was to maintain runway heading and expect radar vectors. In my mind I interpreted this as turn on course when he next contacts you. I prematurely tuned to unicom and went on my way. I missed a mountain by about 20 or 30 feet. I’m sure the controller had a giggle, I know I did.
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This is an interesting thread. I’ve downloaded vpilot, got a vatsim account, but haven’t yet plucked up the courage to press that PTT. Haha frustrating. I do know what to say, I’ve read enough and seen enough about radio brevity to know, it’s probably just an irrational fear of getting it jumbled up, or missing something. I sat today and observed EGLL for a bit. My god, it’s hectic.
I fly exclusively in VR, shared cockpit muticrew 320 with a friend and vatsim in the busiest events.
Having a real FO helps and is more fun. Never will fly without any of the above again.
My first time on vatsim was very scary and I was afraid to click the ptt button. Now after 1000 hours it’s as terrifying as ordering a pizza
That can be a terrifying experience if they put pineapple on it. 
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Might be helpful to overcome this fear: Start with a controlled VFR flight from a regional or smaller international Airport with less or no traffic at the moment.
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I have a question, if I may. If I’m at an airport that doesn’t have any controllers on, they’re at other airports, but say London Center is, would I contact them if I were doing a VFR flight? Or do I just use Unicom? I understand I’d have to contact them for a flight following or if I wanted to fly into restricted airspace, for instance.
I think you can call London center for your intention but I don’t know exactly. I looked for controllers on small airport, made myself quickly familiar with the airport and spawned in the general aviation parking place.
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I’ll generally send a Private Message to the controller asking if they’re controlling the airfield I’m at. If they are, then get clearance through them on coms, otherwise clear yourself using unicom.
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Cheers, that’s a good idea. It’s only confusing for me as to whether I should contact when there’s a center on in the UK. Or if there’s only an ATIS on. I never know whether to contact them or not either.
This should help …
Though don’t be surprised if London Control informs you that they are too busy to provide any VFR services (it’s one of the busiest areas of the whole of Vatsim).
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Yeah I’d expect that. Having one center for alot of the Southern air traffic in the UK is a little mental if you ask me but that’s the reality of UK airspace isn’t it.
Thanks for that though it’s extremely helpful.
Wow, thanks for this great thread.
I had my two first flight on VATSIM this week. The first on an FBWA320 in my home airport that I know well to a busy one (CYYZ). Went well exept the STAR principle that I don’t get exactly yet. Got help form controller on arrival. I was happy after flight, and stressed so much I could’t sleep.
Did the second today from Dublin. I think I waited 45 minutes before having the guts to push the talk button. A bit confused by the taxiway that seam not the same in the game than on the chart but the controller again was very nice in helping me.
I will try again for sure but I retain that you need to have time for preparation and flight because it’s not the king of short quick flight you do to relax and get out of life for a few minutes. You feel like not honoring the great service by disconnecting mid flight.
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I’noticed som VATSIM users are able to insert ‘airline’ in their VATSIM datastring , i.e.they are able to send their flightname,for instance : Topswiss, Easy, Rednose,Speedbird. I’m able to view this by using littlenavmap(you must be vatsimconnected to be able to view this feature). I can’t figure out who this ‘airline string’ is made ! I’m only able to send ‘registration’ ie SAS344 when sending flightplans. Tips are appreciated …
Always a bit scary in the beginning. Just take the time. Before starting MSFS look at flightsim.to for updates of airports and dowload them in your community folder (if it’s not to old). I don’t know if you are also using navigraph, but i think its the best thing i have bought for MSFS. Even for none airliner flights it very very handy. You’ll get the hang of it sooner then later.
My thing was always following flightplans and sids and stars. In Europe for instance the controller is getting you down way faster then in the USA. There you have stars from 200+ miles from the airport. So in Europe hence around 120mls from the airport always ask for a descent if they didn’t told you yet.
Although the Vatsim rules have changed a bit lately the controller, most of the time esp, if they are not to busy, will always help.
You will see that some area’s, like London or Amsterdam are always a bit more intense and strickt then for instance south or east europe.
Biggest thing for me is the terminology difference used in the USA and…well, almost the rest of the world. American controllers also tend to be a bit faster in their messages. So, my best advice for flying there (or anywhere) … have a pen and paper at hand