It has been a hot minute since I have been on these forums, but figured since I've been doing a lot of flying and have noticed a trend, I'd ask the opinions of the VATUSA corps. Lately there has been a lot of ATC online which has been really great. In a few cases when I get to cruise, evaluate winds and timing, I ask for something more direct down the line. In almost every circumstance, I am told to standby for coordination. In some cases, if the next center is offline, I am just told unable. In all of these situations, I am deep inside the center airspace (so the handoff hasn't already occurred) and it is not direct destination or any other clearance that would violate an LOA.

I have been controlling on VATSIM (off and on) for 13 years, and I have been a real-world ARTCC controller since 2015. All of that said, this trend is a little perplexing to me. I don't recall ever doing or being taught to coordinate direct clearances in any case other than when an LOA exists with the adjoining facility in my years doing this hobby, and that is also true irl. Most of these cases are just between centers that I am overflying. Is this something being taught at various places as SOP, or is it just being done as more of a courtesy? I have noticed it in at least 5 ARTCCs spread out around VATUSA, so it's not isolated to one area or one controller. Curious on everyone's thoughts!

Justin Martin

[size=]John Manley[/size] will be attempting his Over The Shoulder exam for the Shenandoah (SHD) area of the PCT (IAD_APP) on [size=]WEDNESDAY, JULY 22[/size] at 7:00 PM ET. John will need to demonstrate proficiency in VFR, IFR uncontrolled, standard IFR, and plenty of other things. It is your job to GIVE HIM HELL! Whether you want to fly a standard IFR route into the busy and complex IAD airspace, a VFR low flight around the Shenandoah mountains, or some non-precision approaches into the o-so-many satellite airports in the airspace (including HEF, JYO, NYG, FRR, CJR, OKV, HWY, etc etc).. whatever you do, come give John a run for his money!

Some possible flight ideas include VFR up from the Potomac, VFR around the SHD mountains, IFR into/out of IAD, VFR practice approaches, helicopter operations, IFR non-precision approaches, and others. John will most likely be controlling until 8:00 pm ET, but he could very easily be on for more OR less time. Come support John, and, most importantly, [size=]GIVE HIM HELL!!!![/size]

JM