VATSIM Tutorial: How & When to Use UNICOM!

A detailed tutorial for new VATSIM pilots to show you how to use UNICOM! Whenever there's no ATC, UNICOM is used to communicate between pilots. 🏅New! Become a member of the AviationPro channel & unlock extra perks and get access to extra live full flights!
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Please note: voice unicom is available on VATSIM these days! You can simply transmit on 122,800 anywhere where there's no ATC available. You can simply use the text used in this video and transmit that via voice instead.
For more information about VATSIM new audio system and voice UNICOM, watch this video: • NEW Audio for VATSIM: ...
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👉👉 -- INFO & TIMESTAMPS -- 👈👈
A detailed tutorial on how to use UNICOM. When to use it, how to use it, what to type, and what NOT to do on UNICOM!
Timestamps:
- Intro: 0:00
- What is UNICOM?: 0:39
- How to tune and use: 1:26
- Pushback: 4:39
- Taxi: 7:08
- Takeoff: 7:45
- Cruise reports: 8:39
- How NOT to use UNICOM: 11:11
- Avoiding weather example: 13:14
- Top of descent: 14:24
- Arrival: 15:53
- Initial approach: 17:21
- Final approach: 19:02
- Landing: 20:27
- Vacate runway: 20:37
- Taxi conflict: 21:17
- Outro: 22:43
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[@AviationPro]

Please note: voice unicom is available on VATSIM these days! You can simply transmit on 122,800 anywhere where there's no ATC available. You can simply use the text used in this video and transmit that via voice instead. For more information about VATSIM new audio system and voice UNICOM, watch this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jIisYpuii9qhna8 🏅New! Become a member of the AviationPro channel & unlock extra perks and get access to extra live full flights! kzbin.info/door/eAbVr5nEFwtYnEY42dIuuAjoin

[@stevemitchell7242]

There cannot be an area of Vatsim flying that you have not covered. Great work ;)

[@AviationPro]

:D, thanks!

[@tomrogers6510]

Just finished my first vatsim flying. Stayed within Unicom. Very exciting!

[@1100BFK]

Nice u should fly at Geneva it’s a nice airport not big at all and very helpful for your seconde flight via atc and more regards and fly safe !

[@arthurbaz2]

You're content is simply fantastic. Thank you for making such great videos! Back to flight simming after some 4 years and about 10 years since I used Vatsim... Was indeed very helpful!

[@AviationPro]

Thanks, glad you like it! :)

[@kevindavis8175]

Great video! I’m glad you covered all of that info. I actually stopped using VATSIM for over two years because of how difficult the text Unicom was.

[@AviationPro]

You're welcome! :)

[@What_If_We_Tried]

New to VATSIM and your tutorials are fantastic! Much appreciated...

[@AviationPro]

Glad to hear! You’re welcome :)

[@niranjaniyer1584]

Awesome video as usual thank you for so much info

[@dann9208]

Thank you so much, these videos help me and your fans learn more about aviation 😀😀

[@AviationPro]

You're welcome! :)

[@Solo_Traveller101]

Great video! Useful info. Thanks

[@panagiotiskouk6965]

Very nice that helped me alot!!Quick question what do you think about those people that talk to unicom?

[@gohomepalms1794]

Could you do a shared cockpit on vatsim for aerosoft aircraft and on vatsim in general on how to connect etc

[@mihailmihaylov143]

Very nice and helpful video !! Thanks a lot. ✈️✈️✈️

[@AviationPro]

You're welcome! :)

[@Jasonasdoipjahrv]

Bedankt voor de duidelijke uitleg! Can you explain how to deal with ATC coming online during any part the flight, I found this confusing.

[@weepingeye]

Thanks for the video. Whats' the difference between CTAF and UNICOM? Which one would I use in Australia?

[@vrintsvideos7322]

Awesome video!

[@AviationPro]

Thanks!

[@vittoriodivittorio]

Thank you very clear, excellent!

[@AviationPro]

You're welcome!

[@andrevdw747]

Great video again and helps a lot. I have flew offline for many years but this the real experience! Just a quick question about your setup. Because you have to use the keyboard using unicom, did you wiped all keyboard settings? Or is there an easier way? I have now made different profiles so when moving from atc to unicom, i also switch profile.Thanks

[@AviationPro]

Thanks! No, if you type in vPilot or any other pilot client, it will be the active window and therefore key commands inside the sim should not work.

[@andrevdw747]

AviationPro Dank je! I gonna try it again. Last time i tried to type something in and my flaps extended one level which is not desirable of course. 👍🏻

[@sfsgameplay800]

Thanks for the help🤗!

[@AviationPro]

You’re welcome!

[@gohomepalms1794]

Great video my bro.

[@AviationPro]

Thanks!

[@PhilGeissler]

Great job! Thanks!

[@AviationPro]

You’re welcome!

[@MikesBasementx]

Is UNICOM always only for text or can you also use voice? Why differ?

[@zarmichail]

Thank you for the video! Helps me a lot introducing me to VATSIM. Just one question: What do you do, if there is e.g. no delivery or ground atc, but tower online. Can you just contact tower with your clearence request or do you have to do everything by yourself until you reach the action, where you can contact tower?

[@DaGrumpyTaco]

Yes, it works in a top-down system, so for example you need delivery or gnd, contact tower. If there's no tower, contact approach, if there's no approach, contact center

[@zarmichail]

@@DaGrumpyTaco thank you!

[@BierKriegerHD]

Thank you for all these videos! So on unicom, can you always chose between saying these things (ptt) and texting them oder do you have to text certain things ?

[@AviationPro]

You're welcome! UNICOM is text only (at least for now) so you can only text things.

[@chlindh1]

@@AviationPro Thanks again for all these helpful videos! I will repeat the question before me here: still strictly for text? I personally find it bothersome typing when on base leg and short final, but I don't wanna look stupid to others either ;) I'm new to Vatsim (currently clocking 25 hours).

[@AviationPro]

@@chlindh1 No! In the mean time UNICOM on VATSIM has voice, I believe it's limited to a 25 NM radius. If you fly closer to the airport, use voice. Further away you might want to use text, but usually there's not much to say until you're close to the airport anyways.

[@chlindh1]

@@AviationPro thanks for the advice mate!

[@thomheg]

@@AviationPro I am about to fly my first Vatsim flight any day (when I dear to jump into it). So I should use voice on Unicom near airports now? Been reading me up on this, and understand that Unicom i strictly text so I don't spam pilots in other parts of the world. Is this not true anymore?

[@sdeijio]

What climb and cruise what do you say for that

[@Rishi-xk5uu]

When you were referring the weather deviation example, normally you would announce turn left 060 to avoid weather, etc like you mentioned. What if you offset your route from EXOBA (let's say 10 miles LEFT) and end the offset at the next waypoint. How would you say that? "KLM123 offset 10 miles to the left from EXOBA to (next waypoint) to avoid bad weather"

[@AviationPro]

Yes something like that, as long as other pilots understand where the offset takes place you should be fine :)

[@flyingdolphino5757]

What I tend to do, when reaching a holding point especially at busy airports. Is for example, EGKK TFC, Reaching holding point A2, Any inbound traffic? And wait to see if there is a reply, this just ensures if there is anyone on final, or if there will be anyone you need be aware of in the nearby area for your departure. Then once satisfied with a response or no response, announce the take off, or the fact I'm holding for landing traffic for example

[@chungdamien]

in theory in uncontrolled airspace you're responsible for listening and lookout for other traffic, asking any inbound traffic is not usually required as you should be able to see the traffic around you, at least in the country I'm flying in, I'm not sure if that's a practise that is carried out in other countries. If no one is reporting that they are on final, then most likely you're cleared (if they are using Unicom correctly)

[@flyingdolphino5757]

Damien Chung the reason I do this, is say. I'm on a gnd controllers frequency, and I get told to monitor Unicom at the holding point. I have none of the unicom messages to the point I've been handed to, so in theory someone could have reported final before I've switched, leaving me oblivious. I could check my TCAS yes, but what if I'm flying without TCAS on my aircraft? It's not necessarily to do that yes, but it does just double check everything is correct

[@1100BFK]

FlyingDolphino in real life that would be the best option because we never know

[@isakanderson9248]

do you have to send in a flightplan if you are departing from a uncontrolled airspace, and flying to a controlled airspace? and also what can I expect when I get to the controlled airspace?

[@AviationPro]

Yes, try to always file a flight plan so that when you receive a contact me from the controller once you enter controlled airspace that controller knows where you're going. Upon contact, they will likely just let you resume your own navigation or give you a direct to a certain waypoint for example.

[@isakanderson9248]

@@AviationPro okay, because ive heard people getting clearances mid flight or upon arrival. What is all that about? Thanks for the reply btw

[@faisalalkooheji]

Can you do voice transmissions on UNICOM or do I have to type all the time?

[@AviationPro]

VATSIM has voice UNICOM now ;)

[@sbrw4316]

Me: ok i get it Arnem 2S departure Me: wtf

[@alistairc2951]

That’s me

[@lucas758]

Its just the name of the SID mate

[@sbrw4316]

@@lucas758 easy for u to say thats the thing which im stuck at

[@lucas758]

sebrw it sounds pretty complicated but eventually it’s just a departure route with weird names .

[@daancrijnen6452]

Ik hou voornamelijk de rest in de gaten en als er heel veel ander TFC is ga ik zelf pas reporten

[@rangerrick8220]

Thanks - was wondering about unicom. You mention texting everything, but can you use your microphone instead? Also - you mentioned that ATC would contact you if you are entering controlled airspace... if your text window isn't open or minimized, will it suddenly pop up? I haven't used VATSIM yet and am preparing for first flight on VATSIM... just don't want to mess up too badly.

[@AviationPro]

You can use voice nowadays, you should also see an in-sim notification of vpilot text messages and you hear a special tone when a controller contacts you

[@rangerrick8220]

@@AviationPro I was at KORD on VATSIM and it was busy... and when some were asking for their IFR clearance, the ATC controller stated they would get an electronic PDC. I think only the ZIBO 737 has any form of CPDLC or ACARS system... so if you're not in that plane, how do you get this? Hoppe system? Or do they just send a text message with the clearance info on it? I suspect the latter as you state above...

[@ddekoster9271]

When will that Atlantic procedures video release?

[@AviationPro]

Only patrons know!

[@ddekoster9271]

So it will release very shortly...

[@TheBumblebee481]

What do you do about a squawk code if no atc at departure airport

[@AviationPro]

Put it to the default squawk code 2200.

[@martinmusiet9780]

It should be called CTAF not UNICOM

[@pmadsea077]

When using Unicom is it text only, or can you transmit via radio position reports?

[@AviationPro]

VATSIM now also supports voice UNICOM, so you can simply transmit on 122,800 about your intentions anywhere where there's no ATC.

[@pmadsea077]

@@AviationPro great. Thank you for the reply.

[@someone.7303]

In real life, how would I know the next frequency to contact after being handed off to unicom? Would I just stay on unicom until contacting approach? Would the next atc message me via CPDLC to contact them?

[@AviationPro]

In real life you rarely are left completely uncontrolled in IFR conditions. In general you can look up frequencies on the enroute charts of the Electronic Flight Bag. When flying in certain regions, CPDLC may be used to pass on frequencies for the next sector.

[@CaptainGrizzly]

what sim are you using for this video

[@AviationPro]

Prepar3D

[@mansnot-hot5317]

I have two question. So I want to become an ATC. I’m 14 years old, is that too young? I’m Dutch so I will most likely join the Dutch division. And mine second question is: I don’t have a powerful laptop, would that be a problem while controlling, would I get lag? (euroscope) Mine laptop is Acer Swift 1, the cpu is an intel n4200.

[@danielt6985]

MAN’S NOT-HOT Hi, Im vatsim controller student in Germany. Here you can join the ATC Programm with 13 Years already. You should be reliable and mature, then your age is not a problem. And you need a lot of time. The controllers here are using a software called euroscope. It is very lightweight and ressource-friendly, so youd dont need a powerfull pc.

[@AviationPro]

Anyone can become a controller on VATSIM when you join at the minimum age of 13. And indeed, Euroscope should be able to run properly on your laptop, it's not that heavy.

[@mansnot-hot5317]

Thank you both! 😃

[@zPinball]

Which set of clouds you use in REX3D?

[@AviationPro]

Currently set 18

[@krystianzawadzki975]

When you said "Inbout TALEG" I understood "Inbout DALEK", any Dr. Who fans here? :D

[@delta2317]

WHY ARE YOU 500 ft ABOVE FL EXPLAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIM

[@Kirk612]

Announcing SIDS and STARS is pointless, other traffic in the area is not going to know where or which way you are comming from unless they are flying the same procedure. Correct CTAF calls are 10 mins inbound with omni direction from the air port, expected runway and expected arrival time. The next announcements you should make are joining the cuircit.

[@KirkRoyster]

Not understanding why you are using text (vs voice) as a standard method. Seems like keeping your eyes in front of the aircraft, pressing PTT on the yoke and announcing via voice is the preferred method. But I'm most interested to understand your perspective on the topic. More like in the real thing, even though this use of Unicom is specific to no-coverage ageas in the context of your video, understood.

[@AviationPro]

Please check the date of this video 😉

[@KirkRoyster]

@@AviationPro Ah, my mistake. Regardless, it was an informative piece, appreciated.

[@virtualaviator21156]

How to use UNICOM: By not speaking a word..... no offense, but if you are nervous best thing is to stay quite