Basics of how to be a VATSIM Pilot - Tutorial

This video covers the very basics of being a pilot on VATSIM. What is not covered in this video is flying approaches, departures, procedures, or anything else you learn on my other tutorials. The primary focus is for radio communication with Air Traffic Control (ATC) on VATSIM and what you might hear at the beginning of your flight.
DO NOT use this for real aviation in ANY way. I am NOT a real-world instructor.
Comment rules are as follows:
1 - Respect everyone, do unto others as you would have done unto you.
2 - No links allowed without permission in comments.
3 - Sexual comments are prohibited.
4 - Keep the language PG, avoid foul language.
5 - No self-promotion without authorization.
6 - Spamming messages will be deleted.
7 - Have fun, that's what we are here for!
Violations of the rules:
1st Offense - Verbal Warning & post deleted
2nd Offense - Post deleted & 300 second time out
3rd Offense - Kicked
4th Offense - Banned
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-----------------------Hardware Specifications------------------------
Intel i5-9600K
32GB DDR4 3200 RAM
1 Samsung Pro 960 M.2 SSD 1TB
1 Samsung Pro 960 SATA SSD 1TB
1 Western Digital 7,200RPM HDD 1TB
GTX1080ti 11GB DDR4 VRAM
2 ASUS 1080P Monitor
1 LG 4K Monitor
ATH-M50x Headphones (HIGHLY RECOMMEND)
Honeycomb Aeronautical Flight Sim Yoke and Switch Panel
CH Products Rudder Pedals
Logitech Throttle Quadrant

[@PyxisGuru]

Who just came here after watching the partnership video between Vatsim and MSFS 2020?

[@ShayK47]

And I'm still confused as hell, as to what the hell I'll need to do and say when I roam around in fs2020.

[@Tyetheberious]

Cha! I did, haha!

[@SizzlingPopcorn]

@@ShayK47 I've always been scared to go on VATSIM without knowing the jargon.

[@MicahMesser]

Don't be. If I am ever online, I announce it on my Discord, feel free to hop on VATSIM. I am MORE than willing to work with new pilots!

[@wooly1823]

Me lol

[@Miles994]

Thanks for the video, this was really helpful. I get the vatsim communication part and I know how to program the FMC based on a static flight plan but I'd love to see a video on how to adapt the FMC flight plan and aircraft to ATC instruction in realtime.

[@dudewithlongsurname]

Thank you Great video, looking forward to flying on Vatsim!

[@TheMeesterNoob]

Liked it even before ive viewed it as i know like all your videos, they are top quality and informative 🛩

[@noe3522]

the charts dude I was there omg

[@Ace7ez]

"I don't read charts sir" Oh dear

[@FlyingAce1016]

VATSIM support just announced for MSFS2020 :D

[@MicahMesser]

I am very happy about it too!

[@brendanr2119]

Very handy video! How about one for how to deal with ATC during VFR approach and landing

[@StratMatt777]

I'm not the guy you sent your message to, but I am a flight instructor and am thinking about starting a KZbin channel. What do you want to know? Where do you fly?

[@BogWraith1]

Well done and most appreciated Micah, thank you!

[@LuxPlanes]

if a beginner asks for the controller to repeat several times because reading back all the information is a challenge would that be considered annoying?

[@MicahMesser]

Depends. If its once, not a big deal. If its three times, I'd start to get annoyed. Don't be afraid to ask for a text clearance.

[@SlartibardfastMG]

This looks great, you say in the vid that you recommend this for new pilots who have never used Vatsim before, what about complete novices? I have just bought MFS 2020 and will be starting on a flight sim for the first time when it is released. I certainly don't want to be "that guy" for 2 reasons, firstly because of the frustration that it causes but secondly knowing that I would be held in contempt by the guys who are deadly serious about it ie: the guy in the vid overlay.

[@MicahMesser]

VATSIM is for novices as well as long as you know the basics.

[@brendanr2119]

Once you've got the hang of taxi, take off, landing, taxi.. go over the vatsim basics then hop on (in a less busy ATC area so they can help you)

[@thecoolguy7403]

yeah this helped but now im more scared to start using vatsim

[@MicahMesser]

Cool Guy, I hear ya! Talking to strangers who are in a position of authority can be intimidating. Tell you what, join my discord and next time I go up in the tower come fly with me!

[@Craig-f6o]

The only way to learn is to do it . Go for it

[@Heyemeyohsts]

Is ATC with you the entire flight to Atlanta? Or Hand off the center or tower at Atlanta? Or just at airports ?

[@Ado2234]

how to use the thing to talk to the people

[@Tryharder-mm3jq]

Thank you so much

[@EastCoastRc]

so im completly new to vatsim..a little intimidated to start flying with vatsim atc as im worried of forgetting something or doing something wrong but i'm going to do my best to learn.. my question is about the skyvector .. it does not give me the option anywheres to see the airport charts of the runways. has it changed since this video?

[@MicahMesser]

No, its very much still there.

[@EastCoastRc]

@@MicahMesser very strange because i cant find it anywheres.. having to use another chart site atm because of it

[@EastCoastRc]

I've been trying all afternoon .. when I click on the airport I do not get the links your video shows. It automatically opens a page of airport information, shows vfr and ifr charts but no airport charts anywhere to be found for me. I don't understand

[@EastCoastRc]

Figured it out :(. It doesn't work on Canadian airports :(

[@ssj3gohan456]

'with you' is considered unprofessional these days - mostly because it's not standard professional ATC terminology so in bad conditions it can unnecessarily confuse comms. Modern ATC and basically all ATC outside of the USA will not use 'with you' anymore.

[@MicahMesser]

Correct. However, it is still acceptable in the U.S. When I am flying IRL I call the controller, give my tail number and altitude, I add position if it is a first radar contact.

[@johnh9637]

Is it possible for a C172 to fly IFR in the VATSIM world, or is IFR just for BIG Iron? (PS Delta 737 at 11:05 is past the hold short line.)

[@MicahMesser]

Absolutely you can fly the C172 IFR in VATSIM

[@masterkronixster]

Gidday .just let you know your website link is broken. Cheers

[@FlyingAce1016]

Do you still have to file a flight plan on simbrief if you are flying say a cessna VFR? Or just state your intentions/requests to the towers?

[@Redditaurus]

Im sorry but departure doesnt need the ch

[@MicahMesser]

You do not HAVE to file a flight plan for VFR, that goes for real life too. However, it is helpful if you do. If you just come on and state intentions, more than likely the controller will create a flight plan for you. It just cuts down on our workload if you go ahead and do it.

[@playfs4644]

Could you do a tutorial showing us how to use the radios on the zibo 737?

[@steaIlth]

on d-atis it does not give me the option of arrival or departure

[@rubadubdubb]

Can you fly vfr on vatsim?

[@BrynPrice]

How can you get the moving plane on a chart/plate? Like seen in your video at about the time you talked about the ‘I don’t read charts bloke’

[@MicahMesser]

Navigraph.

[@BrynPrice]

@@MicahMesser Anyway to do it without a Navigraph subscription? I have the plates/charts for Australia as they are provided at zero cost.

[@avocadoflight]

@@BrynPrice You might be able to use Avitab, there are ways to import maps/charts into, and it has a "moving map" feature.

[@krazy4940]

Bryn Price FAA charts and some international charts are available for free on ChartFox. I will say, though, I hope you have some other source of up-to-date navdata because it’s difficult to fly with old data.

[@mihaiandries8966]

Is the game for free or we have to buy the game?

[@nottiification]

This video did a great job of convincing me to never ever use vatsim. All the least enjoyable parts of flying + snobs who get all huffy when you dont get it 100% right. I'll go fly with the "its just a hobby" guy.

[@MicahMesser]

That is your choice! I have had almost a 99% enjoyable time.

[@Unknwon__now]

i’m still confused on how to talk to the ATC

[@MicahMesser]

What part?

[@harrybassett9433]

Am I being dumb here? In the filed flight plan he entered the aircraft as a heavy then chooses a C152 - I'm new to flight simming so it's probably me :)

[@MicahMesser]

I was demonstrating how to file a flight plan of all types. I then move to communication. I didn't use that flight plan because I was flying VFR in a Cessna.

[@harrybassett9433]

@@MicahMesser Thanks Mica - Just me being dumb then :) I'm still at the listening stage with Vatsim

[@tedyi8588]

So you connect to the server by squawk box or xpilot?

[@hwah9484]

I would use xpilot it is a newer and more feature packed software

[@ayonsaha7963]

yesss Micah, let's get 5k subss

[@MicahMesser]

I did!

[@bradsparks6008]

Bear in mind - Use a kneeboard or better a sheet of paper. When i fly in real life i write down everything a controller tells me

[@MicahMesser]

Absolutely. I generally virtually fly with a notebook on my desk. When I fly IRL I use a kneeboard.

[@playfs4644]

Great

[@gpbarth]

VATSIM - HELP! I can't find any other way to get to you. Hope you're reading this. I have been trying to reset my password for almost a week, and VATSIM has yet to respond by sending me an e-mail with my reset information. If you need my VATSIM ID let me know.

[@MicahMesser]

I am not in anyway an administrator for VATSIM. Sorry, cannot help you.

[@henry1unn584]

what is information alpha

[@MicahMesser]

Well, Information Alpha could also be Information Bravo, or Charlie, or Delta, etc. It is the current weather for the airport and it is labeled with one of the 26 letters of the English alphabet. It generally changes once an hour but can change faster based on the weather.

[@maryrh11]

hi jake

[@RobBob555]

music makes this UNWATCHABLE !

[@Heyemeyohsts]

Rock and bloody roll mate !

[@aerofiles5044]

It makes it alot less boring. If background music bothers you that much, you probably shouldn't be on the internet.

[@RobBob555]

STOP putting background music to videos with *narration* .. it ONLY makes it HARDER to hear what you are saying and is VERY distracting ... EVERYONE STOP DOING THIS.. we are NOT here to listen to music !!

[@MicahMesser]

You are welcome to watch other videos without it. For my videos, I have an artistic style. You are free to not like it.

[@AudioArcturia]

There's no shame in writing your info to readback down on a pad. I cannot remember that shit. You're not gonna get whipped if it takes you a second or two to respond unless it's an urgent readback like expedited taxi

[@MicahMesser]

Absolutely.

[@ElitistMagi]

wait, I thought you shoudlnt say with you? lol keep it concise? different teaching methods perhaps, personally i dont mind saying it :)

[@MicahMesser]

Eh, it's probably not the exact phraseology but it's fine.

[@reelreg9897]

First

[@pr1cegum108]

don't say with you mann

[@MicahMesser]

Correct. You learn over the years lol