VATSim is just awesome

Alex Mollen

  • Members
  • 8
    • View Profile
VATSim is just awesome
« on: May 15, 2019, 11:48:17 AM »
Everybody - I just want to share my first impressions of VATSim with you.

First of all, an introduction. I'm not a newbie to flying or flightsimming. In fact, I flew my first (very primitive) sim in the mid 1980s, I suspect some of you readers weren't born yet. It was just green lines on a black screen, but it was the best the technology of those days could deliver. I've had just about every version of MSFS, tons of add-ons, I have a joystick, throttles, rudder paddles and TrackIR, joined a couple of virtual airlines, dabbled into ATC with ATCSimulator and LondonControl, you name it. Probably like many of you. Oh, and I got my PPL back in 1995, so I got some real life experience to add to all that.

I just never flew online until last week. Why not? Perhaps there was a hurdle to share my "private" hobby with others. Perhaps it was the feeling that talking on 122.8 at EGLL of KATL when there are no controllers are online is unrealistic. But I got increasingly tired of the scripted ATC in MSFS that doesn't know what a SID or a STAR is and kept vectoring me starting 40 miles out even for small fields, so I made the plunge.

My take: it is totally awesome! Yes, I did take off from KDFW on Unicom, even flew a 5-hour flight totally on Unicom. I didn't miss the MSFS ATC, in fact, I was kinda relieved it wasn't there. And I've flown in a couple of events with total ATC coverage, the thrill of talking to live controllers while piloting your A320 or even a Piper Cherokee is just without comparison. I had a smile on my face last night for a couple of hours after completing my flight in the Manchester NH event. I am hooked! Already signed up for controllers training and I will continue to fly regularly.

Why am I writing this? First of all to thank the people who created and who populate this wonderful environment. And on the odd chance that another simmer with doubts about online flying reads this: my advice is, take the plunge, you will not regret it!   :D :D

Peter Shivery

  • Members
  • 230
    • View Profile
Re: VATSim is just awesome
« Reply #1 on: May 15, 2019, 01:47:53 PM »
Welcome to the community, Alex! A lot of us share your enthusiasm for the network and hope to grow this community each and every day. I’m glad you’re now taking part in that journey.

Hope to see you fly into Orlando or within ZJX airspace soon!


Daniel Grammer

  • Members
  • 2
    • View Profile
Re: VATSim is just awesome
« Reply #2 on: May 20, 2019, 12:48:26 PM »
Yes sir, vatsim is cool.  ATC simulators just don't offer confused pilots real world weather and supervisors.  The voice structure in vatsim and the REAL PEOPLE you are talking to make it so much more rewarding.  I too have tried all the simulators even London Control and the first time I pumped iron to score a 95 grade I realized it was missing something very significant.  Real airplanes don't get your instructions always on the first try and copy some frequencies and altitudes and headings in the clearance a bit on the incorrect side......It's more rewarding helping the student pilots also who even give us student controllers some help.  Team work is the game in aviation sims.  Seattle center is beefing up our controller base and trying to give real world like support to the seasoned as well as newbie pilots.  Come fly with us.  We are even building our VFR opportunities so if you lack IFR skills you are most welcome to check us out and maybe fly the pattern for a while.  Watch for EVENTS at Seattle Center.....they have been good ones.

Re: VATSim is just awesome
« Reply #3 on: May 21, 2019, 03:23:04 PM »
Alex, thanks for sharing. I'll be out at Flight Sim Expo in Orlando talking about exactly this: why people should be flying online with their sim. With your permission I'd like to include your feedback in my presentation as a quote.

Tom Campagnola

  • Members
  • 20
    • View Profile
Re: VATSim is just awesome
« Reply #4 on: September 03, 2019, 09:12:04 PM »
i wish i could get my simulator friends to stop using MSFS automated ATC. They are always complaining the automated system tells them to expedite climbs, vectors them to close the the approach, etc. Who wants to taxi out via a diagram on the taxiways? VATSIM controllers can see the density of aircraft flowing to the airports, and can extend legs, slow aircraft down, etc. This system combined with knowledgeable pilot types makes a realistic real time experience for us Flt Sim users