Jump to content

You're browsing the 2004-2023 VATSIM Forums archive. All content is preserved in a read-only fashion.
For the latest forum posts, please visit https://forum.vatsim.net.

Need to find something? Use the Google search below.

New to Vatsim and ATC terms


Brayden Smith
 Share

Recommended Posts

Brayden Smith
Posted
Posted

Hey guys, I'm relatively new to learning to communicate via ATC and I was doing a good job until I got asked Star clearance is available by the controller. I tried finding an answer to what this means but Im having trouble finding out what I should reply or do in this situation. I was just wondering if anyone could explain it to me

Regards Brayden

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Andrew McCabe
Posted
Posted (edited)

Have a read through the Pilot Resource Centre vats.im/prc.

Lots of useful info in there.  Your specific question is covered under the IFR section.

 

Andrew

Edited by Andrew McCabe
updated url
  • Thanks 1

944416

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Mats Edvin Aaro
Posted
Posted

Welcome to the network, Brayden!

As Andrew said, the Pilot Resource Centre is your go-to place to get started. If you don't like reading and enjoy videos more, you can check out AviationPro on Youtube, and his VATSIM Turorial playlist

We also have a dedicated facebook page for beginners, called VATSIM For Beginners. Here you can ask all the questions you want amongst other beginners, and get answers from qualified and seasoned pilots, controllers and staff members. 🙂

If you need more help than that, VATSIM even has Authorized Training Organizations that help you get on your way. I would suggest you check out VATSTAR. 🙂

I hope you have a wonderful time on the network, and let us know in the Facebook page should you need more help!

Mats Edvin Aarø
Assistant to the Vice President - Supervisors
VATSIM General Manager: Member Engagement
[email protected]

VATSIM logo new

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Evan Reiter
Posted
Posted (edited)

Continuing the theme of Authorized Training Organizations, I would absolutely recommend VATSTAR (as Mats suggests) for in-person instruction. You'll be paired up with one of their instructors and be walked through the procedures. There are a number of other ATOs available: https://ptd.vatsim.net/atos.

If you prefer a self-study course that builds up to the question you're asking (about STARs), you might also consider www.bvartcc.com/prp.

Edited by Evan Reiter

spacer.png

Evan Reiter
Boston Virtual ARTCC/ZBW Community Manager

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Dace Nicmane
Posted
Posted (edited)
14 hours ago, Brayden Smith said:

until I got asked Star clearance is available by the controller.

I've never heard a controller advising in advance he's got a STAR clearance for you, normally they just clear you for the STAR and you read it back. Perhaps it was a route (STAR) amendment? Again, you'd just advise ready to copy and read back the new STAR, then fly it. If for some reason you can't, say Unable. May I ask where it happened?

Edited by Dace Nicmane
KntU2Cw.jpg
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Andrew Ogden
Posted
Posted
2 hours ago, Dace Nicmane said:

I've never heard a controller advising in advance he's got a STAR clearance for you, they just normally clear you for the STAR and you read it back. Perhaps it was a route (STAR) amendment? Again, you'd just advise ready to copy and read back the new STAR, then fly it. May I ask where it happened?

In some parts of the world, controllers will advise the pilot he has a 'STAR clearance available, advise when ready to copy'. In my opinion this is a nice touch as it gives reasonable reassurance that the pilot copied everything down accurately because they were ready to listen.

Andrew Ogden
Gander Oceanic OCA Chief
Vancouver FIR Senior Instructor

Visit us: https://ganderoceanic.ca
Contact: [email protected] 

CZQO LogoCZVR Logo

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Kirk Christie
Posted
Posted
4 hours ago, Dace Nicmane said:

I've never heard a controller advising in advance he's got a STAR clearance for you, normally they just clear you for the STAR and you read it back. Perhaps it was a route (STAR) amendment? Again, you'd just advise ready to copy and read back the new STAR, then fly it. If for some reason you can't, say Unable. May I ask where it happened?

Air Services Australia phraseology guide.

Screenshot_20200521-085042_Acrobat for Samsung.jpg

Kirk Christie - VATPAC C3

VATPAC Undercover ATC Agent

Worldflight Perth 737-800 Crew Member

956763

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Dace Nicmane
Posted
Posted

Good to know. 👍 That's why I was curious in which part of the world it happened.

Also, Brayden, you can ask the controller on a private message about an instruction you don't understand. Many controllers are happy to help if they're not very busy. 

KntU2Cw.jpg
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Evan Reiter
Posted
Posted
On 5/20/2020 at 9:47 PM, Dace Nicmane said:

Also, Brayden, you can ask the controller on a private message about an instruction you don't understand. Many controllers are happy to help if they're not very busy. 

Yes, good idea...although make sure that you are also keeping the controller up-to-date. If you don't answer the controller and instead send a PM, especially when we're busy, it might be easy to miss. Then we're going to be thinking you haven't heard us when in reality you just didn't understand. 

Occasionally, I'll also see a pilot who doesn't understand an instruction just disconnect. Minus an insanely busy event -- and really, even then -- we want to work with and help you as best we can. It's okay to say you don't understand: actually, it's better to do that than to just disconnect and pop up again 100 miles later on top of someone. Also better to do that than guess wrong and end up descending when we wanted you to stay level for traffic. 

As Dace says, most of us are happy to help clarify via PM. But let us know first. I'd suggest something like: 

"Center, N12345 is unable (instruction)" or "N12345 is unfamiliar with the instruction". Or just say "unable, N12345". You might also say why: "I'm not familiar with how to fly STARs/arrivals". Typically that would prompt us to give you a simpler instruction like headings and altitudes. Once you're complying with the new instruction and everyone is on the same page, you could then considering sending a private message asking for clarification. Or, if it's not busy, just say "Center, N12345, do you have time for a question?" and ask via voice.

  • Thanks 1

spacer.png

Evan Reiter
Boston Virtual ARTCC/ZBW Community Manager

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 Share