James Ward Posted April 2, 2018 at 05:52 AM Posted April 2, 2018 at 05:52 AM Normally, when I decide whether to fly on VATSIM, I fly only if I can meet one of two self-imposed criteria. 1) Either I take off from an airport that is covered by at least Center ATC, or 2) I fly to an airport where I have enough time from filing the flight plan to fly into controlled airspace within 2 hours. (I file my flight plans before I start the sim...so I have to start the sim, start the aircraft from a turnaround state, taxi and takeoff, and fly into controlled airspace all within 2 hours) My question is, what if I don't fly into controlled airspace within 2 hours of filing the plan? Here's an example: I want to fly from Newark to San Francisco, but Newark isn't staffed and the nearest center online is Oakland. It's going to take me 5 hours to fly into controlled airspace in this case. So my question is: What's the procedure when it comes to flight plans in cases like this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Zhong Posted April 2, 2018 at 06:05 AM Posted April 2, 2018 at 06:05 AM Your flight plan stays with you while you are online. The "2 hours" is the amount of time the flight plan stays in the system while you are offline (e.g. to allow for pre-filing, to allow for connection interruptions, etc.) David Zhong Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Bartels Posted April 2, 2018 at 06:16 AM Posted April 2, 2018 at 06:16 AM Normally, when I decide whether to fly on VATSIM, I fly only if I can meet one of two self-imposed criteria. 1) Either I take off from an airport that is covered by at least Center ATC, or 2) I fly to an airport where I have enough time from filing the flight plan to fly into controlled airspace within 2 hours. (I file my flight plans before I start the sim...so I have to start the sim, start the aircraft from a turnaround state, taxi and takeoff, and fly into controlled airspace all within 2 hours) My question is, what if I don't fly into controlled airspace within 2 hours of filing the plan? Here's an example: I want to fly from Newark to San Francisco, but Newark isn't staffed and the nearest center online is Oakland. It's going to take me 5 hours to fly into controlled airspace in this case. So my question is: What's the procedure when it comes to flight plans in cases like this? I'm not quite sure I understand the question, but your flight plan is valid for the entirety of your flight. It does not matter if your flight is within 2 hours or 18 hours of your destination. I think you may be referring to the note that says your flight plan was filed and will be retained for 2 hours. When you successfully file a flight plan. All this is saying is that you need to be connected to the network within 2 hours of filing your flight plan to have it be [Mod - Happy Thoughts]ociated to your flight. How long your flight actually takes is irrelevant. Once you connect, the network will [Mod - Happy Thoughts]ociate your pre-filed flight plan to your connection and it will remain active as long as you are connected to the network. If you do not connect within 2 hours of filing the flight plan, then the pre-file system will drop your flight plan and if you were to connect afterwards using that callsign, then you would have to refile your flight plan through your pilot client or refile via prefile before connecting. Hope that helps. You either die a hero, or live long enough to see yourself become the villain. Forever and always "Just the events guy" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dace Nicmane Posted April 2, 2018 at 08:38 AM Posted April 2, 2018 at 08:38 AM Also, why don't you fly online even when there's currently no ATC? Somebody may see you flying and decide to connect. If not, you'll get to interact with other pilots on unicom (well, that's a bit hit-or-miss but still fun for the most part). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Ward Posted April 3, 2018 at 12:03 AM Author Posted April 3, 2018 at 12:03 AM Thank you for the clarification gents. I was under the impression that a controller was responsible for keeping the flight plan in the system. I did not realize that the 2 hour window was just to connect. That is also my answer to your question Dace. I only fly when there is ATC because I thought that if a controller didn’t handle my flight plan within 2 hours of it being filed, it would get deleted. Now that I know my flight plan stays with me for the entire time I am connected, I’ll definitely be flying on VATSIM even when there isn’t a controller on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Board of Governors Don Desfosse Posted April 3, 2018 at 07:27 AM Board of Governors Posted April 3, 2018 at 07:27 AM Another soul saved! Glad you asked! Don Desfosse Vice President, Operations Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andreas Fuchs Posted April 3, 2018 at 08:47 AM Posted April 3, 2018 at 08:47 AM Yay! Cheers, Andreas Member of VATSIM GermanyMy real flying on InstagramMy Twitch streams of VATSIM flights and ATC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dace Nicmane Posted April 3, 2018 at 10:05 AM Posted April 3, 2018 at 10:05 AM Even if your flight plan gets lost for any reason, you can always re-file it via pilot client (not on the webpage as long as you're connected), e.g. if you're doing long haul and disconnect for a longer period. ATC comes and goes, you can't rely on them to stay on at your arrival airport. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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