The 'Official' Screenshot & Tips thread 4 FSX enthusiasts & flight simmers.

[!bluetonic!]

http://www.vatsim.net/

^^ think that is the go to place for multiplayer for most people. Never been on it myself as Im still really scared of the ATC aspect

Don't be scared of the ATC. Here's a quick guide to get you to the holding point before takeoff at Bristol.

Look here for airport charts:-

http://www.nats-uk.ead-it.com/public/index.php%3Foption=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=36&Itemid=85.html

Here's a quick overview if ATC "Bristol Tower" is online:-

1. Load the default Cessna 172 at Bristol Airport (EGGD) in the General Aviation or Parking area South of the airfield. Engine off. Radios on. Your callsign in in the format G-ABCD e.g G-CUFF. You will use the phonetic alphabet with your callsign. You'll need to fill in the flight plan. In this example, you could start and EGGD, and fly to Exeter to land.

2. Tune in and listen to ATIS information.

3. Tune into Bristol Tower.

4. You say: Bristol Tower. Good Afternoon. [Golf Charlie Uniform Foxtrot Foxtrot] is a Cessna 172 with information [From ATIS in step 2] in GA parking request radio check and engine start.

5. They say: G-CUFF. Readability 5. Information is correct. Engine start approved

6. You say: Start Approved G-CUFF.

7. You: Go through the procedure of starting your plane. Set the air pressure [From ATIS in step 2], set the heading bug to the runway in use.

8. You say: G-CUFF request taxi VFR to Exeter.

9. They say: G-CUFF, taxi holding point Juliet X-Ray (JX).

10. You then taxi your plane to holding point JX.

11. You say: G-CUFF is holding JX, ready to copy clearance.

12. They say: G-CUFF you are cleared to leave the controlled airspace via the M5 Sedgemoor VRP. Not above altitude 2000 ft. Squawk 5070.

13: You say: Cleared to leave the controlled airspace via M5 Sedgemoor VRP. Not above altitude 2000 ft. Squawk 5070.

14. Set your transponder to 5070. Squawk mode Charlie.

15. You say: G-CUFF is ready for departure.

If you get that far, I can type some more soon.

 

[CannonousCrash]

Im the absolute same as Cuffy, petrified of screwing up online so I stay offline.

I know VATSIM would revolutionise the way I 'play' fsx.

But after reading your handy guide blue, It doesn't seem as daunting, but as you appear to be somewhat familiar with the process, What do we use to fly on VATSIM, software wise? and can you do the follow up tutorial PLEASE!

 

[!bluetonic!]

Just ask Vuvuzela or me about the times we've been sat in front of FSX sweating buckets trying not to 'mess up'..

Before I go on:

1) Picnic on these forums is part of CIX Club which is for VFR flying. These guys happily give up their time to train new pilots and are an approved examiner for Vatsim's 'P1' Rating. This is a competency rating and is not required to fly with them or on Vatsim, but it will help.

2) Vatsim also provide free training on a 1 on 1 basis and will train you up to 'P1' standard.

3) The last person we set up on here was Stevie Vee, so he would be a good reference point too.


Software
Get yourself a Vatsim username and password.

You can use 'Squawkbox' or 'FS Inn' to connect to Vatsim.

Download and set up one of those clients. I use FS Inn.

Never be on the runway when you connect to Vatsim.

Yes, it does look complicated, but there is plenty of help from this thread and online.

If you can get this far, put yourself in a Cessna in a remote part of the airfield and connect and listen to ATIS or ATC, then you're 50% there!

Other bits
When V and I fly online, we communicate behind the scenes on Mumble voice client.

You should always have a flight plan entered via one of the clients. Even if you're just pootling around an airfield.

You can put that you're a "new member" in your flight plan to help ATC help you.

You shouldn't run before you can walk, e.g flying into Heathrow on a busy night on your first flight.

Vatsim is all about trying to be as 'real-world' as possible. Anyone straying from that, buzzing towers, not doing as they're asked, will be contacted by a supervisor.

Once again, if you're about one evening, we can connect to Mumble and go through the basics to get your flying online. It is hard work, but ultimately rewarding.

 

[Vuvuzela]

Flight Sim 2013 | A Mini Review (I can't/won't mention competitor names )

The event was held at RAF Museum in Cosford. I'd never head of this facility before, but combine it with a Flight Sim event and I'm there. The parking was very adequate and reasonable at £3.50 for the day. They also ran a free bus from a park and ride site nearby.

The main event took place in Hangar 1. This was a great setting of historic aircrafts with the exhibitors placed through the outside. Most people had manged to get the goody bag which included a copy of PC Pilot, 2 addons for FSX and a Rise Of Flight Lite DVD.

The first and best demonstration was the Boeing 737 'home cockpit' simulator. This was a curved projector screen with PFD, MFD, FMC, etc etc. It was amazing. It is modular so you can buy bits at a time, but the kit we saw was in the region of £13,000.

A PC builder had their ware on display. They were showing of the new Isle of Man scenery which looked awesome. Running on a machine tweaked 'to the max' for performance.

Other stands included Virtual Airlines, Mutley's Hangar, VFR Poland and the new pro-training team for the Dash-8.

I met Vuvuzela in the flesh as well

I walked away with the latest copy of PC Pilot and a Flight Planner Pad.

We had a quick look around the other hangers and saw a fantastic display of aircrafts, tanks and missiles.

It's a fantastic facility and well worth a visit.

Thanks to the organisers for a great day.

It was a great day at the Sim show. Very enjoyable indeed. I have to agree with Blue the Boeing 737 home cockpit simulator was fantastic and proved the most popular stand on the day. See pictures. Maybe one day I might treat myself .

The guys from had some very nice hardware which they were showing off. Again as Blue said the Isle of Man scenery they were showing, looked fabulous(didn't take a photo of that for some reason )

The Museum was very impressive and well worth the visit some great planes on show.

Great day, great show and great company!

If you want any advice/help on Vatsim please just ask.

Spoiler

 

[!bluetonic!]

˄ *cough*... remove competitor's name..

 

[Vuvuzela]

I'm having a issue with FSinn. I'm trying to re install it and its giving me quite a few errors. Its also not installing the control panel(traffic light in task bar) any idea please?

 

[!bluetonic!]

http://forums.vatsim.net/viewtopic.php?t=20466

You have to follow the above instructions specifically.

CoPilot and then FSInn.

If it goes wrong, try and delete everything and go again..

 

[Vuvuzela]

will take a look cheers.

 

[picnic]

I've not read Blue's link in detail but one thing FSInn does not like is if the FSX path in the registry isn't of the right format (can't remember if it needs the trailing / or not) Use one of the FSX Registry repair tools to ensure it's right before installing FSCopilot and FSInn.

 

[Vuvuzela]

Not working. never had this issue before. Will stick with SB4 then I guess.

 

[Vuvuzela]

I've not read Blue's link in detail but one thing FSInn does not like is if the FSX path in the registry isn't of the right format (can't remember if it needs the trailing / or not) Use one of the FSX Registry repair tools to ensure it's right before installing FSCopilot and FSInn.

Done that too Picnic and still having issues

 

[picnic]

That's a shame, what sort of errors are you getting?

 

[Dappo]

Here are some shots of vintage boats and planes.
I thought I would try something different and edit the shots to make them look like they are from the 1900-40's era.
Shots were taken at Orbx Damyn's Hall, Southampton, FTX England and Global.

Spoiler

First flight 1903 (B&W):

First flight (Colour):

RMS Titanic at Southampton docks 1912:

Etrich Taube reconnaissance mission over Belgium 1914:

HMS Drake patrolling near the coast of Jutland, Denmark 1916:

Voisin 1907 biplane:

Red Baron flies over Flanders 1917:

HMS King George V near the English coast 1941:

Messerschmitt approaching Dover 1940:

C-47 D8 ‘The Argonia’ unloading cargo 1944:

The Hindenburg leaving Berlin 1937:

 

[beefkeef]

Here is my MD11 leaving Zurich.

 

[thingemajib]

Here is my MD11 leaving Zurich.

Christ, thought you were soya for a sec there! Very impressive shot!

also, nice performance takeoff

 

[picnic]

Epic work Dappo Didn't realise people had made models of things like the Titanic.

 

[!bluetonic!]

Just when this thread was getting a little bit quiet... BAM great pics you two.

Dappo: All that money on a HD PC setup and you make it look like a cinefilm projector


Right, for those that want to fly online, I'll be online this Thursday to assist, 19:30 - 22:00 ish..

 

[Vuvuzela]

That's a shame, what sort of errors are you getting?

Will try install a little later again and see what they were again. As mentioned above I'm not even getting the traffic light in my taskbar.

Just when this thread was getting a little bit quiet... BAM great pics you two.

Dappo: All that money on a HD PC setup and you make it look like a cinefilm projector

Right, for those that want to fly online, I'll be online this Thursday to assist, 19:30 - 22:00 ish..

Fantastic shots Dappo. Really really good

beefkeef, great shot of the MD11

I'm around Thursday maybe closer to 8 but will get on.

 

[picnic]

Will try install a little later again and see what they were again. As mentioned above I'm not even getting the traffic light in my taskbar.

Part of the install adds an entry to dll.xml or exe.xml and if that fails your traffic lights will be missing.

 

[cuffylad]

Just when this thread was getting a little bit quiet... BAM great pics you two.

Dappo: All that money on a HD PC setup and you make it look like a cinefilm projector


Right, for those that want to fly online, I'll be online this Thursday to assist, 19:30 - 22:00 ish..

Yeah great pics guys.

I will try and be online on Thursday to have a little fly with you mate, you going on Vatsim?