Hi there, Which would you guys recommend for me as I am a very shy person? I get nervous when I have to say something around a group of people… Any help is greatly appreciated. TIA
I’ve used both. (I even jumped through the hoops to begin training to be a Vatsim controller.) Which one is better depends on how you plan to use it.
Myself, I prefer flying VFR in GA airplanes. PilotEdge is better for that. The Vatsim controllers often don’t know what to do with VFR traffic, and their “top down” system of control isn’t realistic for VFR flying where knowing who you need to be talking to when is on you. The Vatsim top down system often results in you speaking with only one controller for most of a flight, because there often aren’t very many controllers online.
The biggest limitation of PilotEdge is that they only provide coverage for the western US (or even just the LA area), depending on which package you subscribe to. PilotEdge also costs money while Vatsim is free.
I don’t think shyness has any bearing on which one to choose, really. You’re only really online with a handful of people at a time on either network anyway. If you can ask a stranger for directions at a bus stop where 5 or 6 other people are listening, you can do Vatsim or PilotEdge.
In my experience, controllers on both networks are a bit impatient with people who really don’t know what they are doing (e.g. can’t fly their plane or don’t understand the basics of ATC) but they’re nice if you show basic competence. I got called out a couple times early on for things like using my callsign incorrectly or their not being able to hear me very well, but they were polite about it.
If you struggle with ATC phraseology, consider practicing on something like PlaneEnglish for a bit first. It costs money, but not very much. The confidence it yields may help you get over your stage fright enough to give either network a try.
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Thanks so much for your response and info.
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