Vatsim VFR - inital call from a pilot

#vatsim #vfr #atc
Learn and enjoy online Flight Simulation. I am a Vatsim Air Traffic Controller (C1) and Senior Mentor in the North of Germany.
Two of the main pain points for vPilots on Vatsim are:
"What do I have to say?" and "What does the controller expect from me?"
That's why I created this channel: to provide you with some help while showing you my perspective as a Vatsim Controller and Senior Mentor. Feel free to ask any Vatsim related questions in the comments.
This videos shows parts of one of my live streamed session here on TH-cam or from Twitch with some interesting situations or just a busy traffic time frame. Enjoy :)

[@TheFlyingATC]

By no means I want to roast the pilot here. Only to give my perspective why such a long inital call can block the whole sector :)
Watch the whole livestream at: th-cam.com/video/IiE3eVPGupM/w-d-xo.html

[@shaanfliesplanes]

Learn by examples 🤷‍♂️

[@terrainahead9558]

this is some helpful stuff man, for both me and the tower! thanks!

[@TheFlyingATC]

Glad I can help 👍

[@fn0rd-f5o]

in the North American Airspace system, and most other places of the world, it is strongly encouraged to say your call sign and go ahead with your request instead of tying up the frequency with 5 or more back and forth calls which takes up significant more time on frequency. However standard Phraseology is a MUST, not call with a bunch of ERR UMMS.

[@TheFlyingATC]

Rest of the (Vatsim) world VFR the initial call is just your Callsign, as you would otherwise flood the busy frequency. Remember, that we are doing unrealistic top-down service as Centers all the way down to Delivery Clearance at all Airports in our sector, if not staffed :)

[@fn0rd-f5o]

@@TheFlyingATC ah you are right. I didn't consider that; I was thinking of real-world ops how I was taught. they prefer you just going ahead with your request because it takes less time on frequency.

[@wjlafrance]

@@TheFlyingATCStudent pilot in the US here. I’ve come around to: “Podunk approach, Cessna 123AB. VFR request.” That way you don’t block the frequency, and you’ve also told the controller that they’re not working you yet and you want in. Then they can swallow their bite of food or whatever, and “Cessna 3AB, Podunk approach. Say request.” If I were being handed off from a prior sector, “Podunk approach, Cessna 123AB.” Never “is with you”!

[@EverythingSim07]

haha i recognise your voice from VATSIM, i may have flown in your airspace at soe point, probably not in one of my videos yet though. hope to soon!

[@ryanbarbosa3220]

How I do it on vatsim is the same way It on DCS (center "callsign" checking in "FL") I can say that really fast less then 5 seconds and done. That seems to work fine.

[@TheFlyingATC]

Even faster without the unnecessary „checking in“ - the controller recognises your initial call because you name both stations and the FL :)

[@Alex.Brasil1]

all I say is "N30254 Boston Center" and Boston center says "Boston Center go" and I just ask for VFR and taxi instructions to active runways, VFR is super simple they literally say "Depart straight out" then they advise what you need to do when you just fly.

[@TheFlyingATC]

Yea, thank you for that! This helps a lot on busy frequencies.

[@Georgelnz]

These videos are very helpful

[@TheFlyingATC]

Thanks :)

[@shaanfliesplanes]

So helpful

[@gabrieleblueridgegaming295]

At FIT they don’t want you not to make a courtesy call

[@TheFlyingATC]

On VATSIM VFR the initial call is just your Callsign, as you would otherwise flood the busy frequency. Remember, that we are doing unrealistic top-down service as Centers all the way down to Delivery Clearance at all Airports in our sector, if not staffed :)

[@techno_viking2609]

...For me sim flying is about relaxation...i genuenly hate how stuck up ppl get about it...i just want a voice chat where i can goof around with peeps while i fly...

[@TheFlyingATC]

Totally fine with that! That’s called „multiplayer“ and is a lot of fun as well. But not Vatsim, which is a simulation of the real world aviation and atc. Just different types of fun :)

[@techno_viking2609]

@@TheFlyingATC Yeah but i haven't found a way to talk to other goofy pilots in game...the only thing i keep stumbling upon is Vatsim which is frustrating.

[@someone3.2007]

Wouldn't you make your initial call on approach because center would hand you off to approach

[@TheFlyingATC]

There are airspaces without approaches. In these the Center usually gives top down service and Flight Informstion Service. (Vatsim). In this case he even called the wrong controller and blocked the frequency for over 18 sec :)

[@JoaquinMejia-fm8lh]

if its IFR I give my information on initial contact?

[@TheFlyingATC]

As IFR you call in with the needed infos to identify you. So it is mostly ok to just say your current Flightlevel. Add if you got any restrictions from the previous Controller, like a direct, heading, speed.
Bremen Radar, DLH123, Flightlevel 390

[@JoaquinMejia-fm8lh]

@@TheFlyingATC thanks!

[@Aron_Lopez751]

How can I start?

[@TheFlyingATC]

Just do it :)
Research, listen to others, learn, practise.

[@jback_er]

Just started my OBS hours at Dutch Vacc, could you maybe explain what a good clearance is to give a plane? (So like the format or tricks/ways of doing it)

[@TheFlyingATC]

It depends a little bit on local procedures. Usually an IFR clearance contains:
- Clearance limit (eg. Frankfurt Aerodrom)
- SID
- flight planned route (or reclearance)
- initial climb
- squawk

[@jback_er]

@@TheFlyingATC thanks

[@Markus-iu5is]

Love this content, so Interesting too see a controllers perspective, this help us learn. And btw, your voice seems familiar 😆

[@TheFlyingATC]

Thanks for your kind words

[@mirceacebotari6805]

Thanks for good shrt video

[@TheFlyingATC]

😁

[@miket3258]

Should be aircraft type and callsign

[@EBBRgeek]

hey, when is your next livestream?

[@TheFlyingATC]

Hey, thanks for asking. Please follow my channel and turn on notifications. You hopefully get an info as soon as the next stream is planned. I usually put them up 1-2 days in advance.

[@EBBRgeek]

@@TheFlyingATC ok, thanks!
cya in the next stream!

[@TheFlyingATC]

@@EBBRgeek tonight at 18.30z :)

[@EBBRgeek]

@@TheFlyingATC i'll be there!

[@EBBRgeek]

@@TheFlyingATC i can't wait to be there!

[@EBBRgeek]

i think u were my atc today at hannover haha

[@TheFlyingATC]

Not today but I am in this region most of the times on one of the positions :)

[@EBBRgeek]

@@TheFlyingATC ok, maybe i'll cya in the sim!

[@matthewrennie1110]

Do you control Gatwick sometimes because I think you’ve been my controller before.

[@TheFlyingATC]

No, I am a Center Controller in Germany and mostly in the northern area at Bremen Radar and Maastricht Radar :)

[@matthewrennie1110]

@@TheFlyingATC oh nice I’ll be sure to fly there some day

[@marktheunknown1829]

Ahhh, ich mag Deutsch ATC
Mein erstes Flug war in Deutschland in letztem Jahr, und ihr wart sehr nett mit einem Anfänger
Danke für alles 🇩🇪

[@TheFlyingATC]

Danke ☺️