General Hints & Tips¶

• Connect to VATSIM while parked at a gate or parking area.

• Remember to use squawk mode STANDY BY on the ground until you enter a runway, then you should use squawk mode CHARLIE.

• Always remember to check if there is ATC online. If when you depart the gate there is no ATC online, check again before you enter the runway.

• Report your parking position, aircraft type and latest ATIS and QNH received on first contact with ATC.

• Ask ATC to clarify if you don't understand a clearance or instruction. Depending on the situation, this is best done on the communication frequency or via private message.

• Listen before you speak. If ATC has just spoken to another pilot, allow him to answer before you transmit.

• Reply promptly to ATC instructions. This is especially important when using voice, as the controller will wait for your reply before talking to other aircraft.

• Do not assume you heard what ATC said. If you are not sure, ask!

• Do not ask for something if you are not ready. For example, if you ask for push-back, be ready for push-back. If you are not ready you are blocking the taxiway unnecessarily.

• Do not talk if being told to ''stand by''. This means the controller will get back to you shortly. If you don't hear anything after a few minutes, it is possible the controller forgot you (remember they are people too!) so feel free to call again.

• Know the phonetic alphabet as ATC will use it to spell waypoints and callsigns.

• Have a pen and paper ready when asking for clearance or weather information. Professional pilots always write down clearances so why shouldn't you? It's also almost impossible to remember a clearance if it's complex so write the important bits down and you'll be able to reply straight away.

• Squawk 7000 (for VFR) or 2000 (for IFR) if no transponder code has been assigned by ATC.

• Know how to fly the route you have filed. If you file a route via certain waypoints or airways, ATC will expect you to follow this route.

• Indicate whether you can use voice to transmit and receive, voice to receive only, or text only to communicate by including /V/, /R/ or /T/ in the Remarks section of the flight plan.

• Check the controller's Controller Information also known as text ATIS before making contact. This message can contain important information.

• Do not land without a clearance. If you think you have been forgotten by ATC, give a polite reminder, such as ''Turkish 123 on short final''. If you are unable to get a landing clearance before you reach the runway threshold you must perform a missed approach.

• Do not request to shut down engines. Some pilots do this on VATSIM, but think about it, why would you need permission to shut down your engines?

• Never pause or use flight sim menu's while flying online.