Newbe Looking for some info

[Robert Marsicano 920287]

Hello all,

 

I am a private pilot working on my IFR. I am excited to get started in vatsim. I live in CT and am interested in people that are working NY, CT area ARTCC or local CTs.

 

I have read all the required reading for a newbie and was able to actually log on last night. My next move would be to log on and just listen for a while as suggested in the docs.

 

Last night I only found Washington, FLA and SEA controllers that were on, I think. Do I need to select a specific server to see NY controllers?

 

What is the best way to find or see what controllers are on?

 

Any other help to get up and running is appreciated. Right now I am kind of lost as to how to start.

 

What I think I need to do is see what controllers are on, create a flight in that airspace, send a flight plan then tune in and listen. Does this seem right.

 

Thanks in advance,

Rob.

[Bryan Veilleux 920351]

Welcome to VATSIM! To observe controllers, please download our controller client ASRC at www.asrc.info There is a great users manual for it located here:

 

http://www.asrc.info/ASRC%20Docomeentation/Introduction.html

[Jason Harris 877712]

Robert,

 

To clarify, the software Bryan kindly suggested you download is VATSIM's ATC client. So, if indeed you'd like to observe what ATC is actually seeing please download and use the link for the nice docomeentation. If you are looking to just log on as a pilot and observe you did the correct thing last night. Unfortunately the ATC you were looking for weren't on at that time as ServInfo (I'm [Mod - Happy Thoughts]uming that's the program you used to see who was online) show's every ATC that is currently online. Be persistant, and understand controllers will generally be on during prime time hours such as 5-7p.m. local time and on the weekends (after all they are human just like the pilots ).

 

Hope Mr. Marsicano or I were able to answer you questions. If not post again to clarify and I'm sure there are many others that will help.

[Ian Elchitz 810151]

Robert,

 

Although the ATC client (Advanced Simulated Radar Client - ASRC) shows you what it looks like from the controller's perspective - I would not recommend using it to "see who is on the network".

 

For this you want to use Servinfo. This is what everyone uses - pilots, controllers, and observers. This application will graphically show you what areas are currently controlled worldwide and by whom. It will also provide you with a list of every flight currently underway on the network with more information than you will be able to digest. Finally - the application contains information on voice servers and network servers.

 

It sounds as if this may have been what you are using. If not then download it from here --> http://www.avsim.com/hangar/utils/servinfo/

 

As for who is online in the USA - it varies based on the way of the week and the time. Some centers are on a lot, while others are seldom on. On the East coast you will find New York, DC, and especially Boston online quite often. Centrally it appears that Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, and Houston are on a fair bit. In the Southeast Atlanta is always a good bet. In the West you can often see Albuquerque and Denver centers online. On the West Coast Los Angeles and Oakland are usually open all evening, and Seattle stays open in waves. I'm not saying that other centers are never online, these are just my suggestions/observations.

 

 

 

Enjoy.

[Robert Marsicano 920287]

Thanks for the help and direction guys. I was actually able to get into and listen in on one of the ARTCC centers tonight. Very cool.

 

I can understand the availability of the different centers. I am looking forward to getting up to speed and my first flight. I'm sure I will have many more questions.

 

 

Thanks again.

Rob