Does Vatsim Europe care about UL and VFR?

[Zsolt Szilagyi 1138006]

Hello,

 

I´d like to know if VATSIM Europe cares about VFR and small Aircrafts like UL, Trikes, Gliders and alike. I do not care about flying Jet´s at all, but would love to have company when I cruise around the Alps or the black forest. Oh, and with FSX I´d love to share cockpit.

 

skyd1v3r

[Ernesto Alvarez 818262]

why not? what gave you the impression they dont?

[Zsolt Szilagyi 1138006]

Using ServInfo I´ve found hundreds of international flights but only dozens of local flights.

I did not find a single UL or Glider. And I did not find a single ATC on a small airfield.

Might not be representing, but it gave me that impression.

[Ernesto Alvarez 818262]

its just the minority, but definitely supported, just like helicopter, blimps, etc. you wont see many, but theyre always fun to see

[Zsolt Szilagyi 1138006]

That way "supported" means "at least not forbidden", I guess.

[Pedro Diogo 985361]

You'll find that, throughout the network, there are mainly international flights. There are also some local flights but those are only a tiny proportion of flights on VATSIM - this is not to say that they are not supported - in fact, ATCOs accross VATSIM are trained to handle both IFR and VFR traffic. Check out vACC websites (via www.vateud.org) to find out more about VFR flying accross Europe.

 

Good luck on your cross-country flying

[Andreas Fuchs]

Hi Zsolt,

 

of course you can fly VFR online with VATSIM! You guys are a rare species, but you exist and you are most welcome!

 

If you are looking for airfield charts, stop by at http://www.airports.de . Just try to make sure that you do not enter controlled airspace around our active airports like Stuttgart/EDDS, Frankfurt/EDDF or Zurich/LSZH. If you see ATC online there, call them and ask for permission, if you wish to enter their control zone or TMA.

[Sebastien Bartosz]

It is true that in Europe, I've observed that non-major airports are rarely used, therefore there is fewer VFR......

 

 

Yes, Zsolt, make sure you dont pop up VFR wherever either...like in the middle of Paris cl[Mod - Happy Thoughts] A for example

[Zsolt Szilagyi 1138006]

An idiot flying through the Eiffeltower while accidently connected can be considered as "realistic disturbance training", with some fantasy.

 

How ever, avoiding air spaces and clouds, staying 1500 above cities and under 5000msl, and dealing with transits is indeed as challanging as following vectors.

You mentioned Europe to provide little VFR traffic. Is there a frequented small Airport you can suggest? Thanks.

[Pedro Diogo 985361]

You mentioned Europe to provide little VFR traffic.

You'll find this throughout the network, not just Europe.

 

Is there a frequented small Airport you can suggest? Thanks.

 

There are a few less well-known airports in Europe, I can only think of Cascais (LPCS) in Portugal to be honest, but I'm sure others will come up with some names. I recall vACC SAG (now Germany) providing a list of airports on their website, maybe if you have a look it's still there...

 

Pedro

[Sebastien Bartosz]

Well, Zsolt, on the French side, we have our bi-monthly VFR event (2 Tuesdays), and when we host beginner nights, you'll find LFMT and LFMP staffed, which are some popular General Aviation airports. Or, in the north of France, in Normandy and stuff, you're a quick hop away from the UK, which often has some staffed GA airports on the coast (EGKA for example). Basically, I mean, there are some nice GA airports sort of everywhere, which are staffed to some extent...

[Ruth McTighe 824054]

One of the problems is that it's a vicious circle. There aren't many VFR pilots on VATSIM, so the little airports don't get staffed because it's very boring sitting an an airport all night with no traffic. I aim to staff London Information (EGTT_I_CTR) once a week, which covers all traffic in England and Wales outside controlled airspace, and am lucky to get more than one or two VFR pilots in 3 hours, unless my own Virtual VFR Flying Club is having an event.

 

As has been said, look out for organised VFR nights as that's when you are most likely to get ATC. Tuesday is the best night if you're flying in the UK as Gloucester (EGBJ) is almost always open. Shoreham (EGKA) is usually Mondays and Biggin Hill (EGKB Fridays)

 

Ruth

([Mod - Happy Thoughts]istant webmistress, Cix VFR Club http://www.cixvfrclub.org.uk/ )

[Andreas Fuchs]

In Germany we have a group of VFR-pilots flying around every Tuesday from 2000LT on (winter 1900Z, summer 1800Z). Just have a look tomorrow.

[Zsolt Szilagyi 1138006]

Hello Ruth,

 

thanks for your post.

I´m concidering to join the Cix VFR Club. How ever, the next beginners night is scedu... scadula...scadual... planned for Tuesday 19th May 2009.

 

I´ll keep an eye open on ServInfo for ATCs on the spots you mentioned.

 

Andreas, wo finde ich die Infos? Danke!

 

 

Zsolt

[Stefan Hueneburg 1062056]

Hi Zsolt,

 

In my impression the numbers of VFR pilots in light planes and helicopters are increasing. I even dare to fly IFR in light planes.

 

For the Vatsim Germany VFR Thuesday you should look for general information here and for the next event tomorrow here.

But take care, the skies might be crowded with a special kind of flyers. They call themselves "Friesenflieger", you have been warned.

Edited December 29, 2009 at 10:17 AM by Guest

[Zsolt Szilagyi 1138006]

Friesenflieger?

Hey, finally my HelgolandX meets VATSIM.

Do those guys live up the clichée?

Well, I´ll find out.

 

Thanks again for the info!

 

Zsolt

[Ruth McTighe 824054]

Hello Ruth,

 

thanks for your post.

I´m concidering to join the Cix VFR Club. How ever, the next beginners night is scedu... scadula...scadual... planned for Tuesday 19th May 2009.

 

 

Oh dear, thank you for pointing that out We seem to have stopped running general beginners nights in favour of one-to-one sessions on a night that suits both learner and instructor. If you decide to join then e-mail Peter Dodds, the Chief Flying Instructor, if you'd like to arrange some session. His contact details are at http://www.cixvfrclub.org.uk/contacts.php

 

Ruth

[Michael Pike]

Hello Ruth,

...the next beginners night is scedu... scadula...scadual... planned for Tuesday 19th May 2009.

Zsolt

I like your sense of humour Zsolt. You would fit in well at CIX VFR club!

[Zsolt Szilagyi 1138006]

Thank you for your kind (of an) invitation.

 

Last tuesday I´ve connected to VATSIM both in North Germany and Englang, trying to get some VFR action. While I could read and hear all the ATC, I got no reply. (Except a radio check request that was answered)

 

Seemingly I´ll need someone willing to give me some hints.

 

(BTW, last tuesday the weather was helluwa IMC. Do you guys use CAVOK in that case? A VFR event with a visibility of a quarter mile and heavy thunderstorms is somewhat... challanging.)

 

 

Zsolt

[Jonas Eberle]

That is up to the pilot. Some do like the special challenge and let themself pick-up as IFR if nothing else works, some improve their weather. The VFR Tuesday is always worth a visit.

[Ruth McTighe 824054]

If you don't seem to be hearing ATC, but not getting a reply it suggests that you are not being heard by ATC. Try sending them a message by text, and if that doesn't work send them a private message via the chat facility. It may be your system is not quite correctly set up.

 

If you are using FSInn, read the sticky at the top of the FSInn forum on here on how to get things working.

 

Best VFR nights in the UK are Monday at Shoreham (EGKA), Tuesday at Gloucester (EGBJ) and Friday at Biggin Hill (EGKB). All three would be very happy to help you get started