[26JAN 15z - 18z] VATSIM First Wings

[Matthew Bartels]

 

VATSIM First Wings - The event where you lose your fears and join in on the fun that is flying online with real people providing you Air Traffic Control services.

 

On January 26th, between 1500z and 1800z, VATSIM will be hosting its first edition of this event. VATSIM UK have been so kind to be the hosts to our first afternoon of encouraging pilots to join our network/press the Push to Talk button. During this Saturday afternoon, we will fly between Glasgow and Bristol, whilst having ATC from pushback until we are parked and shutdown.

 

We are all aware of the many fears one has the first time he or she flies online (we all flew our first flight at one point!), and that is why this event exists, to help you face those fears and join in on the fun!

 

Do not be put off flying for the fear of making a mistake, all Air Traffic Controllers are aware that the majority of pilots flying are newcomers, likely inexperienced in flying in controlled airspace, and will adapt accordingly.

 

The only thing we ask of you is to know how to fly your airplane. For everything else, we are here to help.

 

Closer to the day of, routes and a short briefing pack will be provided. On top of that, experienced pilots/air traffic controllers will be online during the event available to answer any question and help with any issue you may have.

[Andre Almeida]

Hello Matthew,

 

Event has been added to VATSIM event calendar: https://www.vatsim.net/events/vatsim-first-wings .

[Carl Lei 1419011]

Looking forward to this. Not a newbie, but nearly all of my vatsim flying is in the US, so will hopefully be able to participate and brush up on your crazy EU terminology, changing transition levels and QNH! Flight Level 090? Altimeter 1015? what is that?!

 

Also, just curious if there will be a booking system in place. May be a bit nerve wracking if you do get a lot of new players and their first time on ATC are asked to enter an unpublished hold, fly different speeds, expedite, etc.

[Arjen Kremers 1438425]

Thank you for organizing this, it made me reconsider to finally fly on VATSIM, so I am planning to join the event!

 

I usually prefer to fly GA, most of the times VFR. What is recommended for this event, VFR or IFR?

And would you advise to file a flight plan beforehand?

[Andre Almeida]

@Carl, there will be no booking system. We're sure VATUK controllers will be able to bring everyone in and out of airports in a timely and orderly fashion, so we decided to not do any booking system as that would just be one more thing for new pilots to worry about, especially complying with their slot time. And our terminology isn't that crazy.

 

 

@Arjen, you may fly whatever you'd like to. However, IFR might be the best since it is a fairly long flight, VFR might be challenging if you do not know the region. We will be publishing the latest tomorrow the routes, which will be for an IFR flight. But as I said before, you may fly whatever you want to.

Regarding a flight plan, there is no real need for you to file a flightplan a couple hours in advance, as long as you file it after connecting and give the ATC a bit to look it over before requesting your clearance everything should be good.

[Andre Almeida]

Here we have a link to the information docomeent: https://vats.im/FirstWings

(link to charts on page 1, link to scenery on page 2, full phraseology example available from page 2 - 4)

 

And here are the routes:

 

EGPF – EGGD:

LUSIV L612 CROFT P16 NOKIN N862 RETSI (non-jet only, up to FL245)

LUSIV L612 CROFT UP16 NOKIN UN862 RETSI (non-jet only, FL245 – FL335)

NORBO T256 DCS N864 WAL N862 RETSI (jet only, up to FL245)

NORBO UT256 DCS UN864 SUBUK DCT NOKIN UN862 RETSI (jet only, FL245 – FL335)

 

EGGD – EGPF:

BCN N864 NITON P17 POL N601 RIBEL (up to FL245)

BCN N864 NITON UP17 NOKIN UP16 RIBEL (FL245 – FL325)