Hi Skyler, glad you are asking questions instead of blundering through blind! Let me try to answer a couple. The first, about who to contact, is pretty simple. On VATSIM we use a top-down model where each position is responsible for everything below it when they are not staffed. In the case of no ATC available though, you would simply follow the CoC and monitor (does not mean transmit every 3 seconds) 122.80 on text (the VATSIM UNICOM frequency). If a controller logs on you may contact them, or they will send you a contactme request via PM if needed.

As for VFR clearances, if you are flying VFR then yes, you would do well to be in possession of the sectional charts. You would also be responsible for calling the controlling position prior to entering the airspace in that case. If, however, you are flying an IFR flight then no need to call for Class B clearance, etc...as full services are already being provided as an IFR aircraft.

Hope that clears up those two issues, for more information (if you haven't already), I recommend a thorough read though the VATSIM Pilot Resource Center (available on the VATSIM.net website). Keep on learning, and welcome to the virtual skies!

Do you need to get ifr clerence if noone is manning the appropreate clerence dilvery post? If so how do you do that. If you are flying VFR into controled airspace but no controler is presnt do you also just moniter unicom?

- Sachel Davis-Delano