Like Cameron Said, Controlling is a volunteered based program, I would love to tell people what time I will be logging on and off. There are however certain things we can not account for, I have had emergencies come up while controlling and I do my best to let everybody know I am closing rather unexpectedly, but sometimes I just have to go. If I put on a time table that I will be online say 0000z-0200z and have to leave early and in a hurry, I would hate to upset somebody just because they do not know the full scope of the situation. This leads to bad feedback by potentially a large number of pilots who have planned a flight based on my "availability" if my airspace is popular enough. in short, timetables are a good idea in theory, but in practice, in the real world day-to-day, it is just something that can no be taken as seriously as I think you want it to be.

Quote from: Dhruv Kalra on March 15, 2016, 08:48:24 AM

Most centers are able to see at least 50-80nm into adjacent airspace. At the Enroute level, assuming aircraft are clear of conflict, I'm starting the handoff process anywhere between 4-6 minutes flying time from the border (figure jets in cruise do anywhere from 6-10 miles a minute), so that's a range of about 25-60 miles from the border. I'll do my best to have the guy on the receiving sector's frequency no later than 1 minute from the border, preferably 2.

Holding onto a handoff until the last possible minute is just asking for airspace busts, which I don't think many people on here realize is a separation error the same as getting two planes within conflict proximity :p.

What Dhruv said.     Modify your radar range if you have to.  Realistically, waiting until 10 miles from the boundary will get you into some trouble.

Don't I know it

It was happening all along DC's boarder specifically. I have no idea how to begin using vERAM so I am in the dark here. I will keep fiddling with things on my end. On a side note, I also forgot to mention when he goes to hand off AC that I get the noise in VRC but they do not light up blue as normal, instead they just appear as if nobody is tracking them.

I'd be inclined to agree with you Ken, except it is so instantaneous that there is no way anybody could have the time to refuse the H/O.

See everybody next week. Good luck tomorrow ZMA!

Hi John,

Welcome to VATSIM and VATUSA, if you want to be ATC you can start here http://old.vatusa.net/join1.php , as for setting up VRC, every ARTCC does it a little differently so if you get accepted in to ZNY they will have more detailed instructions for you.

Happy controlling, I hope to see you on the scopes,

Not exactly sure where your trouble is Sol, could you maybe be more specific, in the mean time you can also check out this link: https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/pilot_handbook/media/PHAK%20-%20Chapter%2014.pdf