Need some help

[Heath Gagnon]

Hello,

My name is Heath Gagnon, I'm 34 and really loving aircraft in general. I work at a Air Force base so I'm around them all the time. There is a lot of info here and it's overwhelming.

I have many questions:   1. I assume that once you connect to a server USA (east coast for me) that I would select an airport for example, boston logan and then i guess spawn at a gate, load radio freqs and talk to the tower if needed?

2. Do i need to fly a Boeing 737?

3. What's the default PTT for x plane 10?
4. I selected N195, that's my callsign?

I really need help, anything is appreciated.

Thank you,

Heath

[Ryan Parry]

Hi Heath, welcome to Vatsim!

I'll briefly answer what I can for you, but your best bet for information is going to be reading through the Pilot Resource Center located here: https://www.vatsim.net/pilot-resource-centre

1. There will be multiple servers to connect to, select the one closest to you. It sounds like yours is going to be the USA-E server. Once you do you will see a list containing the available Air Traffic Controllers, if any are online at the time. You'll need to figure out which one to contact, and how that all works is located in the PRC I linked above. If nobody is online, you will need to tune 122.80 and state your intentions on text.

2. Nope, you can use any aircraft you want to use.

3. I don't use X-Plane, so I do not know the answer to this. You can probably figure out which one it is by looking at your settings.

4. The callsign you use will either be a tail number, for example N123AB, or the airline ICAO code and flight number you are flying. There are very unique ones out there for military operations, but that is outside the basics. You enter your callsign when you are connecting to the network. Your callsign should not exceed 7 characters. So it could be N123456, or SWA1234, just do not exceed 7 characters.

Go ahead and read through the PRC I linked above, that should answer most questions you have. If you still have questions feel free to ask here and somebody will help you out!

Another way to begin learning how to properly use and fly on Vatsim would be to join an ATO and go through their pilot certification process. They will teach you the basics of Vatsim, flying the pattern, using instruments, etc. Most of these are virtual airlines, but a few like VATSTAR are dedicate to pilot training only.

https://ptd.vatsim.net/atos

Happy flying!

[Heath Gagnon]

How do I spawn on a gate?
But i need help with x plane.

[Joseph Kerr]

Heath,

There are two ways to spawn at a gate that I am aware of.  The first is to load up an airport, then under one of the tabs is LOCAL MAP, there you can drag your airplane to a spot. Once the aircraft is where you want it, just click the "X" on the top right and your plane will be where you want. (make sure you are cold and dark). The other option is to load up at an airport as well, then look for the option to change your airport, there you will be able to click what gate you want to spawn at (not all airports have this feature).  Unfortunately I am not in front of X-plane, so I hope this was clear! 

Joe

[Robert Shearman Jr]

Another way to spawn at a gate is to spawn anywhere else, then taxi to the gate before connecting to VATSIM via the pilot client.

4. The callsign you use will either be a tail number, for example N123AB, or the airline ICAO code and flight number you are flying. There are very unique ones out there for military operations, but that is outside the basics. You enter your callsign when you are connecting to the network. Your callsign should not exceed 7 characters. So it could be N123456, or SWA1234, just do not exceed 7 characters.

You can actually use nearly any callsign you want, as long as it's not reserved for VATSIM officials (VATGOV_x, VATSIM_x, xxx_SUP, xxx_ATM, etcetera).  You don't have to use something real-world realistic.  But most do, in which case Ryan's advice is spot-on for US-based pilots.

join an ATO and go through their pilot certification process. They will teach you the basics of Vatsim, flying the pattern, using instruments, etc. Most of these are virtual airlines, but a few like VATSTAR are dedicate to pilot training only.

Hey, Ryan, thanks for the mention! 

[Dace Nicmane]

How do I spawn on a gate?

Settings > Operations and Warnings: check "Start each flight on ramp". Sometimes it will place you on a ramp not suitable for your aircraft type, then go to Location > Select global airport and choose another one from the available.