controller (or lack there of) question

[Jason Cyphers 991517]

Ok, I tried connecting to VATSIM for the very first time tonight, and I don't think it went too well!

 

I put my plane at a GA parking ramp in KATL, fired up FSInn, connected, filed a flight plan (newbie observing ATC), clicked on ATC to see active controllers in range, and nothing! Nobody was home! Tried a couple other airports, and the same thing. Finally went to KMEM and was able to monitor some traffic there. Only had KMEM clearance delivery frequencies active, no ground and no tower frequencies.

 

So, my question is, what do you do when you are at an airport that has no one "manning" the frequencies for that airport? Do you still tune to the necessary channels, and someone will in fact be there to reply? If I were at KATL, and wanted to fly, would I still tune to Atlanta Clearance, ground and tower frequencies?

 

Forgive me if this topic has been discussed before, and/or if it is highlighted in the training manuals, I may have overlooked it.

 

I look forward to getting everything working correctly, b/c I am excited about beginning flying on VATSIM.

 

Unrelated question….how do you know if your flight plan was successfully sent via FSInn? I saw that Squawk Box scrolled a message “flight plan sentâ€

[Paul O'Donnell 969350]

Hello Jason,

 

When there is not ATC online we will tune into UNICOM on 122.800

Here we announce our intentions so that surrounding traffic (if any) is able to know what you are doing and can keep seperation from your aircraft.

This is a pretty common question, I tried to find some past links.

 

Hopefuly these may help:

http://forums.vatsim.net/viewtopic.php?t=19792&highlight=unicom (read Trent's post at the bottom)

 

This also may give you a little insight to the UNICOM channel: http://forums.vatsim.net/viewtopic.php?t=18142&highlight=unicom

 

 

 

To find out where ATC is, I would suggest using the program called "Servinfo", this will show you the controllers online, aswell as showing you the traffic on the network. This is a pretty good tool for finding ATC to go and sit at the airport to test out your audio configuration.

 

All the best and goodluck.