To the newbie - First Time Jitters

[Aaron Williamson 1020371]

Looks like I'm not the only one, seems like you guys have all been where I am now, makes me feel a little better knowing you're not all laughing at my misfortune, now I can [Mod - Happy Thoughts]ume you know how I feel every time I get on currently (Only have been on 3 flights thus far all unpopulated space and it's very verve wracking!).

[tom van der elst]

Looks like I'm not the only one, seems like you guys have all been where I am now, makes me feel a little better knowing you're not all laughing at my misfortune, now I can [Mod - Happy Thoughts]ume you know how I feel every time I get on currently (Only have been on 3 flights thus far all unpopulated space and it's very verve wracking!).

 

Ofcourse we have been where you are now Aaron.

Don't sweat it bud,just practice,that works the best.

 

Go out there and fly,and be prepared to ask questions,and not afraid to say unable

if you don't understand it,and just have a good time.

 

Nobody will eat you and nobody will get mad if you make a mistake,

we all do and did that so stop worrying and start enjoying,that's all there is to it!

[Brendan Conway 1008126]

My first "encounter" of VATSIM was when I joined Delta Virtual Airlines and I was asked to provide my VATSIM CID. I had no idea what this was so I emailed for HR dept. and asked if they could tell me what it was so I could provide it. Then a friend said that you have to try this "new" feature...VATSIM. We did our first flight together in separate planes and of course us being young filed direct to our destination. We flew out of Denver and we got our clearance and when we were taxing over the freq. we heard "Yeah, there just kids" I [Mod - Happy Thoughts]ume he meant to tell it on teamspeak but we heard it So we departed and were told to switch to UNICOM. Then we had a 10 min. conversation with the controller about what UNICOM was. Three years later and being a controller for 2.5 years, I can now appreciate how calm the controller was with us. Thats the great thing about VATSIM, it is one big team here where everyone helps out each other.

 

 

Regards,

[Mark Bott 1100894]

You did everything right. New York has separate controllers and ratings for departure and approach at their major airports. This results in silly, and not terribly safe situations like that. Sometimes they even have a departure controller who's not doing approach online.

 

Just came accross this thread to check out other members experience with their first time, and then I saw this statement.

 

The words "not terribly safe" is completely false. YOU, as a pilot, while on Unicom, have the responsibility to maintain separation from other aircraft. While under control of a TRACON controller, the controller has the responsibility to ensure separation. Just because a controller is rated for Departure, and NOT approach, does NOT mean the controller is unable to provide adequate separation. There is nothing "unsafe" about the system.

[Darrol Larrok 1140797]

What is good about me trying to land at JFK while the departure controller isn't communicating with me, and I therefore, may be setting up an approach to a departure runway? I have no ability to communicate with departure control traffic, thus making it impossible to coordinate separation on unicom as normal.

[Mark Bott 1100894]

Did you read the JFK ATIS? If so, you would know which runways are in use. If no JFK ATIS was available, you could "contact" the Departure controller to find out which runways are in use. If you are setting up an approach, without checking ATIS (if available), and without contacting JFK controllers, then you are responsibile for your own actions and separation. In any case, landing into the wind is your primary option if you are unable to contact anyone.

 

http://www.nyartcc.org/pilotcenter

 

Here you can find a ZNY runway selector that will show you the appropriate runways to use in the event no controllers are online.

 

Finally, if you are on unicom, and a departure controller is online, there is absolutely NO reason why you can't contact him via the frequency or private chat methods to ascertain information.

[Darrol Larrok 1140797]

Of course I check the ATIS. It still is frustrating to be on UNICOM with no way to contact the aircraft around me. No other ARTCC I know of does this, and it doesn't seem to make a great deal of sense.

[Wim Sjoholm 1133704]

The thing with ZNY is that there are 3 huge airports within a 10 mile radius, and it would probably be a bit too much for S3s to control app, dep, twr, gnd and dep for all three of them, so you'll end up with airplanes flying on unicom in somebodys controlled airspace. There are of course certain controllers that are certified for app/dep on more than one of those airports. It can be hard to know which controllers are allowed to do which airports to either sending a .msg or just hopping on their frequency and asking if they do app for a certain airport is the proper way to deal with it if you are unsure if the controller in question are controlling the airport you are heading to

[Mark Bott 1100894]

It still is frustrating to be on UNICOM with no way to contact the aircraft around me.

 

While on Unicom, you can contact other aircraft ON UNICOM. Thats what its for. If the other aircraft is with a controller, BOTH you AND the other aircraft are protected because (1) the controller is providing the other aircraft with separation from YOU, and (2) YOU are providing your OWN separation from other aircraft that are on Unicom.

 

If anyone needs to explain this any further, you will simply be beating a dead horse.

 

You know what your supposed to do to maintain separation with all of the tools you are given. Don't make it harder than it has to be.

[Robert Shearman Jr]

Mark and Darrol are both making good points -- but I can certainly attest that as a still-somewhat-newbie to VATSIM it is VERY confusing flying in the NYC area and knowing who is handling or not handling what. Most often I've simply resorted to just asking each one, "are you handing xxx {arrivals/departures} today?" and just [Mod - Happy Thoughts]uming I'm on UNICOM otherwise. So yes, it's not really that hard to deal with, but you have to admit it's a pretty unusual situation.

 

I've also seen some controllers putting in their ATIS message (not the ATIS channel for the airport, I mean, but the text ATIS that gets attached to their actual voice frequency) what they are handling and not handling. I've found that to be very helpful and think it should be adopted as "official SOP" for VATSIM controllers working that area.

[Jake Guenthner 1170248]

Hey guys, I just found vatsim this weekend and i have yet to make my first flight online. Just like alot of the other posters I am terrified to make my first flight, but thanks to you guys I wont be paralyzed with fear when i finally get comfortable enuff with my aircraft of choice to try an online flight. Thanks to everyone

[Nelson Macphweaon 1123688]

First flight out of the way! Wow talk about nervous, and sweating. I couldn't believe it. I've had a lot of flight sim time off line, and Warbirds online for nearly 14 years, but this took the cake.

 

It's Oct 6th, 2010 and I filed my flight plan from CYYZ to KBOS. CYYZ-CTRL modified it on me,and took me by surprise, so I modified my FMC's plan, got clearance to taxi and promptly got lost trying to taxi to the runway. CYYZ-CTRL politely pointed me in the right direction. Got my take off clearance and away I went. I found it hard at times to understand the controllers, but as my ears got "tuned" in so to speak, I found it easier. I was also forgotten what they told me almost as soon as I went to repeat the instructions.

 

Missed a lot of calls once in Boston airspace, but the controller there was also very patient with me.

 

I liked it. I liked it a lot.

 

I want to thank ever one for their patience. Thank you.

 

AC421

[Johan Grauers]

If you check your voice settings there's somewhere a setting called "simulate VHF transmission", if that's checked uncheck it and transmissions should be a bit easier to hear

 

When it comes to instruction I recomend keeping a piece of paper next to you and make quck notes of everything (don't have to write it verbatim, just note for example "22R, Y H Z M, crs 15" etc. Just as a reminder

 

Welcome to the online skies

[Nelson Macphweaon 1123688]

Thanks for the tips!

[Robert Shearman Jr]

I recomend keeping a piece of paper next to you and make quck notes of everything (don't have to write it verbatim, just note for example "22R, Y H Z M, crs 15" etc. Just as a reminder

Absolutely. I always make notes for my route during my flight planning, and then below the route I jot down space for the initial cleared altitude and cruise, departure frequency, and squawk. If there's an ATIS I'll get that plus the altimeter and jot that down. Enroute I'll write down any multi-part instructions or crossing restrictions or any instruction that doesn't take effect right away ("depart RESTT heading 120"). When getting the arrival ATIS or the altimeter and expected arrival approach by ATC, I'll jot that down as well. There's no end to the notes I might make to ensure I'm complying with instructions. I hate going back and asking because I'm concentrating on ten things at once and forgot whether I was cleared for the left or right side.

[Tom Uytterhoeven 1151895]

Lol I remember my first time in April last year, I actually had a RYR pilot helping me through skype as I was practically messing all the phrases up. And the worst thing is I picked EGLL (Heathrow) not the best choice to begin, BUT..

 

After 1 day I actually could do it so I was pretty happy with that The good thing about vatsim is that as a beginner you can hear how the other pilots are doing it and you pick it up quite fast.

 

Greetings,

 

Tom

[Douglas McCarten 1007356]

Hi all,

 

I am also a newbie & can testify to the amount of sweat lost during the first on-line flight.

I did mine with my VA a couple of weeks ago from Bratislava to Warsaw as they had a fly-in there. I actually did ok despite having to get plenty of communications repeated. It helps if you put 'newbie-please speak clearly' in the flight plan!

 

Last week however was a completely different scenario . We were going from Warsaw to Graz. I was all set up ready to go despite not having the airport ground diagram due to my printer being knackered. Got my clearences & told to go to r/way 15, but got lost. The controller was tring to direct me but I was getting flustered & confused. Thought I would just follow everyone else going the same way but alas it was not to be. My starboard engine had stopped working so that I was going around in circles in the dark! (very embarr[Mod - Happy Thoughts]ing). The controller was patient with me but then one of our VA pilots came on requesting his clearences & must of thought I was a right idiot as he taxied past me . The controller at Warsaw asked me if I was able to follow my taxi instructions but I had to apologise and explain that this was my first online flight in a PMDG 737-800 & I was having some difficulties! I thanked him for his time then logged out as I could not get the engine started again. Funny now, but very stressful at the time.

 

Doing my P1 test flight this evening & hopefully it will go ok.

 

Happy flying folks

 

Doug

[Johan Grauers]

Don't worry ,the circles happens all the time. My favorite is people taxiing to the wrong runwway (for some reason quite common at Stockholm Arlanda), luckily enough we have plenty of taxiways for people to turn around on

[Eddie Trent 1170462]

I took to the VATSIM skies for the first time last night... and like most everyone else, I was a bundle of nerves. So glad I had a very patient and helpful controller from OAK CTR who was encouraging, and put up with some total noob mistakes (wrong turn on taxiway, misread of the SID, suggested a better cruising height), while taking the time to send a pvt msg to welcome me and to help talk me off the ledge by sharing some of his noob mistake stories.

 

Notepad and pen are necessities, as are working charts. And be sure to get your munchies and beverage within a close reach.. don't want to miss those ATC calls because you have to run to the fridge

[David Farmer 1173586]

I joined VATSIM today totally unprepared for the nervous energy and rush of panic I felt when I flew into the some of the busiest airspace in the UK (Heathrow); I am a complete novice and begginer at this formal way of flying and was awestruck at the realism. I was immediately contacted by a supervisor who helped me out, but I can tell you, I felt like I was dealing with a real life emergency I was so immesed in the urgency. I have now printed out the PRC as per the supervisors suggestion and will do some serious reading before attempting to fly on line again although I can't wait to have another go and this time without causing everybody else h[Mod - Happy Thoughts]le.

[Johan Grauers]

Remember that you can learn a lot by listening, park in a quite spot somewhere where there's ATC. If you want to send a flightplan saying "novice, listening in" or something along those lines. And don't be afraid to send the controller a PM and ask all your questions, we'll let you know if we don't have time but usually we don't mind a nice chat

[Michael Carter 1167669]

Remember that you can learn a lot by listening, park in a quite spot somewhere where there's ATC. If you want to send a flightplan saying "novice, listening in" or something along those lines. And don't be afraid to send the controller a PM and ask all your questions, we'll let you know if we don't have time but usually we don't mind a nice chat

Encouraging words, I will try that next time.

[Joshua Yager 1171262]

So I just had my first flight, and honestly I got the courage from this thread.

 

Simple flight from KSBA to KMRY along the coastline, a great route, I flew at FL080. When I filed, there was no ATC around so I was thinking, ok this might be a good flight. I lifted off following the HABUT4 departure. About halfway to BSR vortec, someone came into my room to talk to me without knowing what I was doing. I had a 20 second conversation, and when I looked back at my screen, bam, private message from OAK ctr. I freaked out, I could not believe OAK ctr was tracking me all the way down here, I had not even seen them online. I quickly tried to respond not at all knowing what I was doing. ATC was great, sent me to BSR then vectored me out, then bam, changed my runway selection to 28L visual approach. He also informed me winds were out of control at KMRY. Well I am freaking out, i had not looked at the 28 app (lesson learned, learn all approaches and be prepared). So by the time I get myself acquainted, I look left and the airport is in sight, only 12 miles out, and I am at almost 7000. And on top of this in the middle of trying to negotiate that nosedive, I have to contact Norcal app. I contacted approach and landed well, but I imagine the p[Mod - Happy Thoughts]engers in the plane are still puking and prob will never fly again. I on the other hand will fly again. For some odd reason, this has given me more confidence.

[Johan Grauers]

I've been there and done that, my visual app into Oslo at cross the pond had some intresting sink rates in the beginning

[Martin McMahon 1069533]

I like VATSIM, its a great idea. Love flying too, at 39 hours as a student PPL, enjoying every moment of it.

 

I've tried a few different airports and ATC's over the past few years on Vatsim, but today was unfortunately my last.

I just wanted to say that I've had a rather unpleasant experience with an ATC (won't mention any names) while in LAX tonight practising for my r/t. I've decided to go back to the real world and practise there.

I was advised to leave by a controller this evening and told I should read the instructions. Pretty embarrasing to be honest.

 

My transgression? I hadn't checked the ATIS before calling and asked permission to start my engine.

 

I've had great experiences with controllers online on Vatsim, don't get me wrong - some of them are excellent. It's just that there are also the ones that dont want to put up with any students/newbies. Thankfully the real world is a bit more forgiving sometimes

 

Bye all.