Your First Flight on VATSIM: VFR Circuits Tutorial (with lots of Tips) Part 2 (Flying Circuits

Join me as I walk you through your first flight on VATSIM: VFR Circuits (Actual flying this time!)
I'll spell out everything you need to know to find some ATC on VATSIM and fly a circuit pattern in the Cessna 172 in Microsoft Flight Simulator. With lots of extra TIPS along the way!
00:00 Introduction
00:30 Tuning in the ATIS
03:06 Finding Charts for an Airport
04:54 Taxi to the Runway
11:12 Calculating Circuit Altitudes
12:28 Takeoff
16:02 Switching Controllers
18:25 Turning Final
19:40 Visual Glide Slope Indications
20:21 Takeoff Circuit #2
22:50 Mid-Downwind Radio Call
24:25 Final Circuit #2
25:57 Landing Rollout (Where to Exit)
26:49 Taxi In and Conclusion

[@kevindavis8175]

One thing I do - obviously after checking Vat Spy to see if the controller has answered the question, is to send them a private message and ask how long they expect to be online.

[@CaptNabs]

Absolutely! Thanks for the good tip. Most controllers know pilots are looking for someone who will be online. (Assuming they are not too busy to reply.)

[@603rail]

Just did my first flight today, this helped me a bunch! Thank you!

[@CaptNabs]

Guys, I am so glad my video is helping you get started on VATSIM. I would love more positive feedback and what else you may be confused by that i can help with...

[@GregFliesVR]

Super informative video! Thanks a ton!

[@ramis4594]

Very helpful video, thank you!

[@ArlenGriswold]

Thank you this really helped!

[@joachimp4265]

Very nice Video, thank you.👍👍

[@roloduarte3100]

Excellent tutorial, I learned a lot thank you.

[@Dg-zj6jo]

looks great

[@alexandros0828]

Flew my first circuits on vatsim today thanks to this video, many thanks!

[@phillipzx3754]

Very nice. I haven't used VARSIM before, so I'm in the learning stage. I was amazed at how much it added to the experience. Thank you.

[@macfly4649]

I thought you did an excelent job, throughout, describing mistakes from atc as well as your own. Helps me to find my mistakes and fix them accurately!

[@CaptNabs]

The past 10 years or so has seen a real shift in aviation from preventing errors to trapping and mitigating them. Even the most well trained and well intentioned human will make errors, whether designing, building, maintaining, or operating airplanes. We must recognize and acknowledge that we will make errors, and try to catch and fix them.

[@macfly4649]

@@CaptNabs perfectly well said, on that note im joining your channel

[@Lowtohighclearbluesky]

Nice video

[@bobwarren6763]

Your two videos helped me finally understand VATSIM. I thought I could be at any airport and tune into that airport's frequencies until your vid. Thanks so much. It also gave me better understanding of the circuit flying. Have a great day.

[@CaptNabs]

Glad it helped. There is a project on VATSIM to list appropriate frequencies at every airport, but it is a massive project and is not ready yet. In the meantime, the old fashioned way still works: Ask someone nearby. ;)

[@uroscadez]

excellent resource. thank you so much!

[@CaptNabs]

Glad you enjoyed it. I hope you get on VATSIM and enjoy yourself!

[@body_clock]

best vatsim intro i’ve seen yet. thanks a lot!

[@CaptNabs]

Very kind, thank you.

[@ArtManNL]

Very educational guide. Thank you!

[@CaptNabs]

Glad you found it useful. Welcome to VATSIM.

[@tahirballikaya213]

Thanks, I am still learning the phraseology and this helped a lot already. Will also be looking into fs economy when I am settled with vatsim

[@CaptNabs]

Great! Just keep it simple to begin with. Do circuits a few times. Become confident. Then expand your repertoire. And have fun!!

[@HugTheLlama]

I love this video. Now, I finally have the confidence to speak on Vatsim. This was a very, very big help❤😊😊

[@CaptNabs]

Good luck. Get out there. Dont be afraid to make mistakes. We all make them. Just try to learn and improve.

[@OneJoshParker]

Thanks, big dog!

[@ingmarhermansen383]

thank u for all the help im gonna try vatsim this week

[@CaptNabs]

Good luck! Let us know how it goes. I hope to see you on the scopes one day!

[@stevenbarkess7791]

Super helpful to watch before getting on VATSIM. Struggle to keep up with the instructions but sure that will come with practice.

[@CaptNabs]

Absolutely. Practice makes perfect. If you still feel like you're not keeping up, be sure and write "New to VATSIM" in your flight plan remarks. Controllers who see that will slow down a bit more for you.

[@captaindenis328]

Thanks!

[@CaptNabs]

Thanks very much! The video is mostly selfish: The more people who get on VATSIM, the more fun it is for everyone involved, including me. ;)

[@anonimowy5231]

Your video helped me to do my first circuit flight. Firstly i thought that i have to know 100% what to do but i had couple fails communicating with ATC but they were really nice and teached me something aswell.

[@CaptNabs]

Awesome! Glad you made it through Day 1. ATC is often glad to help you learn if 1) you show willingness to learn and 2) they aren't too busy. Never stop learning out there!

[@anonimowy5231]

@@CaptNabs about to do IFR flight today. Hope it will go smooth.

[@Cuttlefish233]

Just found this video. Thanks for creating it. When I heard the ATIS give wind as 14 gust 28, I thought this was going to get exciting. Then I saw the wind sock was limp. You must not have had real world weather enabled. Thanks again.

[@CaptNabs]

Normally I fly with live weather, but I probably turned the weather to clear skies to make for a nicer video recording. Watch my streams and you will see me fly with live weather, rain or shine!

[@MrBingoba]

didn’t know that Steven hawking does the ATIS voice over lmao

[@kevindavis8175]

With the spinning knob issue, I had that dilemma when I started playing Flight Simulator (FSX at the time) in 2015. Eventually, I invested in the Saitek Multi-Panel so I had a physical knob. Same goes for the Radio Panel for switching frequencies. Those panels have been around for a long time, so they’re not expensive at all. Edited: you can also change the transponder code using the Saitek Radio Panel, so you won’t have to pan down to the cockpit’s transponder. I promise I’m not a troll. As I watch, I like to add extra tips if I can!

[@CaptNabs]

It's a minor annoyance. I would love a radio panel. As a VATSIMer, it seems like one of the most important additions. Right now, I am saving some bucks for the HoneyComb Bravo. At least it has some built in autopilot controls. Now I am beginning to dream about how good a sim pit we could build with an unlimited budget.

[@baterista08]

Or check out the knobster that works with air manager.

[@KirbyDowney]

I’m using a stream deck for all my controls for autopilot, light and come, you can add so many switches and controls and there are loads of pre loaded profiles out there. Haven’t flown in vatsim yet but getting things ready so I don’t fumble around too much when I dive in

[@CaptNabs]

Yeah there are so many possible permutations. I used to have a gamepad just for a few certain controls. It wasnt realistic per se but damn was it handy. As long as you can fly headings, altitudes, tune your radio and use your xpndr, you are ready for VATSIM. Controllers know everyone is single pilot so things often take 30 to 60 seconds to start happening. Make sure to put "New to VATSIM" in your flight plan remarks the first few times and Have FUN!

[@kevindavis8175]

Occasionally, instead of having to do the math to determine the TPA, that number will be listed in the Chart Supplement (Formally A/FD), which is available on Skyvector. At some places, the TPA is slightly different for turboprop planes than piston planes like the 172.

[@marklee5042]

hey, great video! i got into VATSIM doing IFR as it was always the more covered topic but now that i'm on MSFS i've become more interested in GA and VFR by extension- if all goes well i'll be doing my first circuits tomorrow! is it possible for you to make a guide for flying cross country?

[@CaptNabs]

That is an excellent suggestion. MSFS really did bring a renaissance of VFR to what was a 98% IFR network. Now that airliners are available in MSFS it did fall off a lot but it adds interesting variety for any and all controllers.

[@ivanh3]

Great series. Very helpful. How are you recording Vatsim and your narration audio?

[@CaptNabs]

Thanks. I actually used nVidia's native video capture utility in the GeForce Experience utility. It doesn't compress video during recording so it creates huge files, but I like that it captures the microphone and the speaker track separately so I can then balance the audio between them during post-processing.

[@monkeysuncle11215]

I love this series! Really giving me confidence to getting on VATSIM sooner than later, thanks!! Do you have a description of the sim and setup you’re using? It looks beautiful.

[@CaptNabs]

I don't think I have a description anywhere. MSFS with a default airport. i7 9700k CPU 32gb RAM GTX1060 with 4gb VRAM All MSFS is stored on SSDs. Not a cutting edge setup, but MSFS is great at maximizing whatever you have in your system.

[@monkeysuncle11215]

@@CaptNabs I want to upgrade to MSFS from FSX, but I really rely on my multiple views (front and side windows), so I'm waiting until they support it. Thanks for the quick reply and great work!

[@CaptNabs]

For sure. If thats how you fly, then I hope it is in the roadmap. I used to do multiple windows until I got TrackIR. Now I can look around so naturally, it's great.

[@Not_Lewis]

@@CaptNabs what's your monitor size? Thought about getting Track IR but my monitor's 27", too small maybe?

[@JohnVanderbeck]

Sometimes I feel like flying a proper, tight, technical pattern is one of the hardest things to do

[@CaptNabs]

Considering it is done completely be visual reference with no electronic indications, absolutely. So easy to get distracted and drift one way or the other.

[@JKPilot]

Great video, thank you. Newbie aviation specific question though: Why do you not adjust the altimeter on the ground so it reads zero, and therefore gives actual height above ground whilst conducting pattern work? I would think that leaving it at the (600 ft in this case) introduces an element of confusion and risk.

[@CaptNabs]

At first, this seems like a sensible option, and a few countries operate this way. However, doing this would increase overall risk in the system for anyone who is not staying in the pattern. Pilots will be using altitude outside the circuit for many different reasons including evaluating terrain, determining airspace boundaries, and for communicating with other pilots and ATC. If everybody used a different frame of reference (different starting airports), it would require a lot more mental math to figure out if you can make it over that mountain, or establish whether you are on a collision course at the same altitude. Better to ensure is using the same altitude baseline, in our case, Sea Level. Its also the reason why 1000' is used for circuit altitude. It is a nice round figure that requires only the most simple of math. Cuz pilots hate working harder than they have to. ;)

[@annal3870]

Hello!! thank you so much!! 😊 Do you have any tips for writing down instructions in VR since that's what I play in?

[@sharkdude44]

I was wondering the same thing, i think i'll just slip up the goggles for now and write stuff on my knee board. Thats the best way I can think of, I'd imagine capturing info in VR would be cumbersome.

[@annal3870]

@@sharkdude44 I figured out two fixes. First if your lucky enough to be using occulus, they have keyboards that you can actually see in VR with finger tracking you can buy. I'm NOT on occulus I have htc vive, but steam VR has the ability to dock a window to your controller like you're holding a piece of paper in your hand. This is PERFECT for looking at charts!! But writing is a dif story. Putting the docked controller view of a notepad on your desk or lap and learning to touch type is prob my only option I HATE ALT TABBING IN VR ALL THE TIME!! LOL

[@CaptNabs]

Introducing: NEWBIE NIGHT on VATSIM WHEN: Thursday Night Sep 23 from 6-9pm PDT / 9pm-midnight EDT / 0100z-0400z WHERE: CYYJ, Victoria International, British Columbia Are you new to VATSIM? Nervous? Unsure you can keep up with the phraseology and procedures? Try out VATSIM on Newbie Night. For 3 hours on Sep 26, I will staff Victoria Tower (CYYJ). During that time, I will answer questions and coach rookies about procedures on the VATSIM network. Note: This will NOT be a livestream. This is just a chance for rookies to get some practice on VATSIM. Experienced pilots: I respectfully request that you fly elsewhere so that nervous new members will not be intimidated by your mad VATSIM skills. Watch my Intro-to-VATSIM videos if you need a refresher: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6KTgIaJh52caJY See all you rookies then!

[@TatoAngela]

what do you use to move the view in the cockpit this way? It´s so nice!

[@CaptNabs]

I am using TrackIR. It is very smooth and natural and makes looking around so easy. But it isnt cheap. You can Google it.

[@TatoAngela]

@@CaptNabs thank you

[@Not_Lewis]

Question, do you not need to provide aircraft model when talking to a new controller? Like with tower: Skyhawk CNABS"

[@CaptNabs]

That is country specific. Many places yes, but not always. If you say it quickly, its not a bad piece of information to share even when its not mandatory. Also, if you have said it to a previous controller, it is not necessary for subsequent controllers after a handoff, as it should be marked on your flight strip.

[@dan6131]

How did the controller know where you were parked to give the correct taxi instruction? You didn’t mention where you were on the aerodrome when requesting taxi & the xpdr was off.

[@CaptNabs]

Great question. Real world, there are 2 types of aviation surveillance radar, Primary and Secondary. Primary just shoots out a powerful beam and waits for any solid object to reflect it, such as an airplane, and show a blip on the screen. Of course no way to tell which blip is which, any object may cause a blip, such as birds or even cars on a nearby road, and limited range because signal has to travel both ways. Secondary sends a coded signal that transponders reply to with the transponder code. Instant ID plus better range since the signal only travels one way. All airports use both in case transponders fail. On VATSIM, all airplanes withjn range are visible as Primary targets on the scope, but they may not have any ID if the transponder is off. My guess is I was the only target logged in at the airport.

[@annal3870]

Has this been updated so the squawk changes the vpilot client automatically like you mention, since this video is older now and you say in the future it will

[@CaptNabs]

Yes. It generally works in most planes. Occasionally you may find one is broken, but most work now.

[@falc56]

Hello, im a newbie to vatsim, after the radio check, what was, we have information Bravo (B)? or another video I watched at EGCC, the aircraft said he was with Charlie (C) or Delta (D) so I understand the NATO phonetic alphabet, but not why they are saying it !? similarly to your we have information Bravo. I do think your tutorials are exceptional 🙂

[@CaptNabs]

Sorry I never explained that part. Information refers to the ATIS or Automated Terminal Information System. This is an automated channel that lists the weather and active runways at an airport. It updates every hour or when the weather changes and gets a new letter so you can tell the controller easily which version/update you have.

[@falc56]

@@CaptNabs Thank you for the information, finding its like learning a foreign language ! but very interesting 🙂 plus we have the fact of an old dog and new tricks lol ;-) Again, Thank you

[@peterbortels81]

is there no need to do a delivery announcement before you startup your engines? or is that something that gets skipped in vatsim.

[@CaptNabs]

That very much depends on your location. It's a European thing. in North America, you never call for engine start. Sometimes for push at busier airports.

[@ashwin2159]

How did the ground ATC found the taxi position without pilot mentioning it? So is it not compulsory to mention the position to get the taxi way to RW?

[@CaptNabs]

In the real world, ATC will look out the window. For most private registrations, chances are they have seen the plane before and recognize it. On VATSIM, they may simulate looking out the window or use their ground radar which, by default, shows all the airplanes on the ground with their registration. Also assigning a squawk code to the aircraft will make it appear on ground radar just like airborne radar. All that being said, it is polite to state your location on initial contact so the controller knows where to look without searching through all the airplanes on their scope. So not always required, but can be helpful.

[@ashwin2159]

@@CaptNabs Thanks for the clarification.

[@AGRANT716]

What's the best way to come up with a call sign?

[@CaptNabs]

Thats a great question. You can check Flightaware and steal a real world callsign, or come up with your own that has a special meaning. For civilian registrations, they are like license plates. They are randomly assigned, but many people request vanity registrations that have their initials or birthdate. For airlines, you can pick your favourite airline and use real world flights, random numbers, or use a vanity number and reuse the flight number every time. That is a neat method because controllers begin to recognize your number.

[@AGRANT716]

@@CaptNabs Thank you very much, I enjoy your videos

[@adarob92]

I just got into Vatsim, and I only wish that ATC would speak this slow and clear with me. They spit out the taxi route and runway in half a second and I'm like, "huh?"

[@CaptNabs]

They sound just like the real thing. And just as fast. Here are 2 suggestions: 1) Put "New to VATSIM" in the Remarks of your flight plan. Not everyone will see it, (especially when it's busy), but it can help. 2) Speak slowly when making requests. Most controllers will tune their speed to your skill level. If you sound uncertain, they will go slower. If you sound pro, they will carry on full speed.

[@adarob92]

@@CaptNabs Thanks! I must sound like a real pro then xD

[@RAAFLightning1]

Me: "oh yeah this is easy" 5:10 "what".

[@CaptNabs]

See? Easy peasy. ;)

[@jacobsaussieantics8167]

how do people get the cessna liek that

[@CaptNabs]

What do you mean? Like what?

[@jacobsaussieantics8167]

@@CaptNabs it looks different compared to the stock cessna in msfs2020 is it liek a mod or sum

[@jacobsaussieantics8167]

@@CaptNabs like the otehr c172 have the g1000 this one dont

[@CaptNabs]

If you are talking about the classic gages, that version is available in Deluxe or Premium editions.

[@veledrak]

Can i ask what to do when no tower atc is online? Do i just stay on the ground frequency and inform them about takeoff and final?

[@CaptNabs]

It there is no ATC, you must broadcast your intentions on the appropriate frequency and coordinate with anyone else using the airport. Within the USA, the freq changed to airport specific CTAF frequencies which are usually the Tower freq. Type .ctaf KABC in vPilot or your client to find the freq for KABC airport. Outside the USA, the common advisory freq is 122.8.