Changing Aircraft Call Sign in XPlane

[Charles Shader]

Hello all,

New to flight sim and VATSIM. Just downloaded xPilot and wanted to observe only so I'm sitting in my virtual 172 but cannot connect to xPilot because of my call sign. How can I change my call sign in XPlane to something else? Is there a database of call signs that I can choose from so I don't pick one that's already in use?

 

Thanks so much in advance.

 

Charles

[Brant Marshall]

You would need to set your callsign on xPilot itself. Can you send a screenshot of what the error is that you're seeing?

[Charles Shader]

That's what I'm asking, do you know how to change it in XPlane? I'll see if I can get a screenshot for you but all that happens is that when I attempt to connect, I get disconnected because the call sign is already in use. It's the stock call sign for the 172 in XPlane but I thought I saw somewhere that it can be changed, but Lord knows how easy it will be for me to find a call sign that isn't already in use.

 

-Charles

[Charles Shader]

Actually, I just entered a different call sign that I made up and it connected but then I got an error as follows:

[Brant Marshall]

Hey Charles,

So looking into it, you're a brand new user to the VATSIM Network (welcome! 🙂). Due to this, it might take 24-48 hours for your account to sync across all of our servers. All you need to do now is be patient, I expect that the sync will happen sooner though.

Now might be a good time to read our Pilot's Getting Started page and I definitely recommend visiting our Pilot's Resource Center. These pages will give you vital information about flying on the VATSIM network. Once you've gone through them and are confident you're ready to fly on the network, try connecting again knowing that this sync process may take a bit longer than you'd prefer.

Again, welcome to VATSIM!

[Charles Shader]

Thanks Brant, I'm checking out those resources.

-CS

[Robert Shearman Jr]

Charles -- I think another key fact you should know is that you don't need to use the callsign that's painted on the side of your virtual plane.  If you're in a C172, other players will see you in a C172 (usually), but it may or may not be one in the same livery you're seeing yourself as.  Heck, they may not even have the same sim you have (FSX or P3D versus X-Plane) so they may not even *have* the same C172 livery you have.  They'll see you in a C172 with a tail number that may or may not be the same one that you're logged on as.

If everyone was limited to using only the callsign on the side of the plane, everyone flying the C172 in X-Plane would have to be N172SP.

Long story short -- you can make up any callsign you want, as long as it's not (a) offensive, or (b) reserved for VATSIM or VATSIM Division staff (VATGOV3, etcetera).  Most of us do try to come up with realistic-seeming ones, i.e. ones that conform to the pattern of valid registrations from wherever we're flying out of; but even that is not a requirement.

[Mats Edvin Aaro]

Furtherfurthermore, I would advise you to check out our Pilot Resource Centre for good tutorials and guides to get started! I also advise everyone to read through our rules (called the VATSIM Code of Conduct, often shortened CoC) to make sure you're not violating any rules you weren't aware of. 🙂 You only need to read section A and B; C is for controllers only. 

Welcome to the network!

[Charles Shader]

Thanks guys, it all makes perfect sense now.