First Attempted Vatsim Flight

[FlorianR]

Hey, so today I decided "enough of flying by myself, I'm going to join a virtual airline and fly online". So i signed up at Zon Executive, create a Vatsim account, and connected to Vatsim. Everything worked fine: I connected successfully, I send my flightplan, and got my Eadt 738 ready for action. I set up the correct COM1 frequency to contact the Delivery controller, and gave him my information. However, at the three different airports I tried, I never got a response back. From ANY ATC. So I checked my Audio Setup, and everything seemed fine. (I am using PX-21 Turtlebeach Headsets). I even did the voice test, and passed that too. Does anyone have any idea why they aren't responding or can't hear me. Thanks (I'm tired of talking to myself:D)

Cheers,

FlorianR

[YYZatcboy]

Are you positive that there were any ATC online? They are not all there automatically. Click the "View who is online" button to see which ATC are logged in in range of you.

[NoutvanZon]

Hi Florian,

VATSIM can trouble you at times when it comes to your microphone set-up. At least it has for me.

Best bet is to try using text and then once you are comfortable with that move over to voice. (Normally hitting 'Enter' will open textbox that allows you to type your message)

Hope this helps.

Nout

[skyfox]

As YYZazboy suggested, make sure that you check who's online and go to an airport that has a controller online.

You should get a message saying something like "Connected to voice room ..." in XSquawkbox as soon as you toggle the frequency in COM1.

I usually use QuteScoop to see where there is ATC online before planning a flight.

It's free and you can get it from:

http://sourceforge.net/projects/qutescoop/

Also, check which ATC position is online and dial its frequency of the lowest from these:

DEL - GND - TWR - APP - CTR - FSS

It is not very common to have Delivery available since most controllers will handle the most they are authorized to. So if someone has a rating for Tower and there is no one online doing GND or DEL, Tower will handle them all so you should contact tower. Or APP, or CTR if they are online and the others not.

cheers,

joao

[FlorianR]

Thanks for the help so far. Yes, i checked on vatview.com to see what controllers were online, and then double checked again using the "shows who's online" tab. Because it was my first flight, I made sure I had Delivery, Ground, Tower, Departure, ATIS, etc. all online. I will try again tonight. Cheers!

[eaglewing7]

Did you properly set up a PTT button?

[UH-60 Blackhawk]

By default I believe it is `.  That is at least what I use and I don't recall changing it.  And also, take time to configure your audio settings, or else the input will be the built-in mic (If you have one), and output the built in speakers.

[FlorianR]

thanks, I figured it out now. Forgot to hit the PPT button 

[FlorianR]

Well, finally complete my first VATSIM flight. Took off from Cleveland INTL. and flew to CYYZ Toronto. Everything worked really well, communication was good all the way from Ground the Departure. Then, when lining up for Runway 05 in CAT II conditions, i got the flap over-speed warning and crashed about 1 NM form the runway. Well, I guess you learn from your mistakes.  >

[karingka]

Darn, that's tough...

[YYZatcboy]

should have gone around and done a flaps up landing . Glad you got it working.

[Jack Skieczius]

Welcome to the world of vatsim man. have fun.