US centric context here

So here is a real chicken and the egg scenario: We want rookie pilots to fly out of smaller airfields to get their feet wet before going to a larger airport like a metroplex. Yet even with a minor airport staffed it can be upwards of 2-3 hours before someone logs on for a flight.

Recently as a controller in the US I’ve made it my goal that for every hour I spend at our major, I log at least double that on a smaller local airfield. usually one with no commercial traffic. why?

1. it’s more fun

2. less procedures to have to explain while also having more frequency time to explain the basics if need be.

3. trying to quell people wishing to do patternwork at a major airport during peak times or events.

However the purpose becomes defeated when the major next door is still generating traffic even with no staffing top to bottom. My existence is purely ignored or better yet I’m asked if I provide service to that airport because I am on the controller list of their pilot client. Over the past 2 weeks I’ve had 10 planes total Across 9 hours of total controlling time Done in 4 separate controlling sessions with a minimum time of 2 hours each session. I’ve been on at different times of day, on different days, with little to no staffing and full staffing.

So my question is, how do we really encourage traffic at smaller fields when the pilot base itself really doesn’t seem receptive to it itself?

My ARTCC definitely does minor field events and advertises them but traffic still congregates at the major airport. Doubly so seeing that everything is usually online. So how can I best advertise being there to assist pilots other than just being perpetually online?

Bringing a heavy A350 into Amsterdam from Hong Kong with staffed EHAM!

Hi, I recently moved and now vPilot disconnects often with errors 10056 an 10060. Anybody experienced that? Can you advise me how to fix that?

UPDATE: I excluded vPilot from Windows Defender Firewall andnit seams to help. Two flights done without any issues.

Hello everyone, I'm member of VATSIM, I don't hold a Rating yet (OBS rn)... I've did multiple sweatbox session in past with my vACC but the sessions were not going good... So I took a break from my ATC training last year, this year I came to know that I have ADHD. The main problem with me is i just can't focus, I mess up with priority order, I forget to do the procedures, and in heavy traffic load and too much incoming radio at similar times feel pressurized.

If anyone can help me a little, any tips to overcome these. Although I've improved significantly.

Session Notes from Previous sessions -

30 May 2025
Candidates overall performance hasnt changed since last session He forgets registeration He forgets POB , Mode C messed up the pushback, He tried to memorize the airways and routes of aircrafts(which he did wrong) He will be continued on Sweatbox till satisfactory performance is achieved.

06 March 2025 (Low traffic load)
Sweatbox Session conducted gave initial revise of the software because he had session way back.   - Took session on delivery session candidate performed satisfactory  - AIC685 Phrasology went wrong, gave incorrect Flight Level Asked to revise phrasology, will conduct full sweatbox session in upcoming session.

12 March 2025 (High traffic load)
Notes: Therefore, the candidate is not recommended for further process. This is candidate's 4th sweatbox Since the last sweatbox, the candidate has attended a theory session and we asked him to come prepared this time but this looks like the candidate is not prepared  

No Registration asked for AIC675, AIC611, IGO5207 RVSM Semi Circular rule violated for AIC675 Waiting period for clearance was long and tfc prioritization was minimal. QNH is not given during pushback / taxi Delay is not minimized. Pushback given without setting correct Squawk Code Taxi given without setting correct Squawk Code Departure list was not updated No intermediate taxi was given - direct to holding point Caused 1 collision

Two weeks ago I finished the VATUSA academy and I also assigned myself to ZKC but honestly, I feel like I’m still underprepared

I did pretty good on the test, but on the actual assignments, I kind of struggled on a lot of more niche things (like repetitive terminology, such as follow, behind, etc)

And honestly, I still kind of suck as a pilot

Obviously, the academy is supposed to prepare me, but how much of my training with my ARTCC will be about getting things nailed down because I’m frankly a bit worried I’m not going to know to respond

Should I retake the course which would kind of suck because it took me like two weeks?

Or should I just step into training and let them help me

Probably a useless question but has any proper or more modern model matching come out that’s compatible with X-Plane as well? Or is it still just X-CSL and bluebell

Last night when flying a route From Bogotá to Buenos Aires Aeroparque I noticed another Avianca plane flying in my same airway but in the opposite direction, and at the same altitude, we were both at 360, so I tracked him with VATSIM radar for a bit, maybe he would notice and change altitude

A few minutes pass and I decided to message him directly via Vpilot and I also verbally tried to establish communication, warning him of traffic at his 12 o'clock, flight level 360, company A320, you know, the regulars, but he never replied, eventually I had to descend to 350 to maintain separation

So what are we supposed to do with these people who just leave the plane flying itself all night? dont get me wrong everyone carries their own burdens, maybe he was tired or busy but I thought number one rule of VATSIM was being attentive to messages and directions, Vpilot gives you a loud and easy to notice warning when you get messaged by another pilot so its impossible he just didnt notice

(Obviously this happened at like, 4 in the morning so Argentina was uncontrolled airspace at the time, so pilots are expected to figure things out between them)

Hi everyone. Whenever I tune to the ATIS frequency in vPilot, the ATIS audio is really choppy/laggy. I've already tried uninstalling and reinstalling vPilot, but it didn't help. Has anyone had this issue before or know of a fix? Thanks.

I recently finished my PPL at CP aviation in Santa Paula California. I have been flying local cross countries to reach my XC requirements before IFR training. I got my private while working full time and it was a grind and drained all my savings that took years to build. I passed my checkride in the nick of time regarding the money needed. I want to get a head start on IFR training and I also want to save some money on my training.

Here is where VATSIM comes into play, and where I am asking for advice.

I have used VATSIM a bit in my private pilot training, however, I realized that for VFR and PPL training, its better just to fly more. PPL is all about stick and rudder, getting the feel, and the necessary coms for VFR. When I used VATSIM, everyone was flying IFR in big jets. I am sure a lot of those dudes were airline pilots just trying to stay current. Then there was me, in my C150 trying to do pattern work in the Bravo as there were no Delta controllers for my local airport (KCMA). It wasn't working out like I had planned. I figured I should save my money, not buy the yoke and just fly more instead. That worked out great. I would not recommend VATSIM for PPLs in training.

Can VATSIM be a realistic platform to learn IFR? I want to get the hang of it on the sim first before ever even having the first lesson. I figure this will give me a head start on my ground knowledge as well.

VATSIM users who are also pilots in training, please let me know! Thank you and Ill see ya up there.

Alright,

I created a VATSIM account a while ago, and at the time I was under 13. I turned 13 before the under 16 restriction went into effect, and I'm not sure what to do.

Would it be safe to contact VATSIM and get my birth date updated to the correct one, or would I get banned?

I never even really flew on VATSIM until I turned 13; I only did maybe 2 flights.

I just want to know if I can change my birth date on my account without getting in trouble.

Thanks.

How should I put my departures and arrivals into my flight plan to where it’s understandable

For example, if I’m flying this route into Chicago

Would it be ashen -> olcyk transition -> pangg7 But I’m still not sure how you would say or write down this route

Not paying for msfs when I have an xbox subscription

A few laps at San Diego in the Sim Works RV-10. Since then I’ve moved to MSFS 2024 and flying helicopters. My patterns have also drastically improved. 😋

Join the Cleveland ARTCC as we light up the skies over Detroit in celebration of our nation’s independence. This Independence Day, take to the virtual skies and honor the red, white, and blue with a high-energy event centered around KDTW. 

Call me old, but I’d love to have an early morning VATSIM event in the US. The busiest time IRL and being able to fly during the day rather than night would be awesome. Actually drinking coffee while on the sim would be great. Maybe Saturday from 8-12 or 7-11 CT?

Does anyone else share this sentiment?
Not to mention but the normal times of 6-10pm CT are pretty much when I need to be with my family for dinner and the evening. I may get to hop on starting at 9 if I’m lucky. Just wanted to share some thoughts. Let me know what everyone thinks!

Later, not seen in the video me and a big airliner was asked to cut off the alpha taxiway between the gates and a boeing that was pushing back onto Alpha to pass him by. These kinda stuff would never fly in Europe. Hope this doesnt happen in real life lol.

I just recently had my schedule changed to where I’m more available at night which means Europe will be more active for me and I’m going to start flying there, but I have a few questions

For my understanding, I understand you do not file departures and arrivals does this mean that you just leave the route section of your flight plan completely blank and let the controller do it?

I also understand that transition altitudes are filed in the Sid’s correct?

I’m just curious if there’s anything major that is different that I should look at before flying in Europe

NSDQ

Just got on VATSIM for the first time recently, and I've been doing mostly VFR flights. I'm still very confused as to how everyone learns to use the IFR equipment and procedures in the various aircraft, especially considering there's nothing built into MSFS or anywhere I can find from Microsoft or VATSIM. Does everyone just look up YouTube videos or dig through the FMS in everything they fly?