Anything similar to VATSIM for General Aviation?

[NedUT]

Howdy folks,

Spurred by another post in this forum, I took a look into VATSIM and love the idea behind it, but I get the impression that VATSIM mainly caters to IFR/commercial "point-to-point" traffic. I'd love to have the same experience as VATSIM, but more along the lines of GA flying, such as VFR & sightseeing flights (i.e. go up for 30 minutes or an hour, return back to the same airport).

Anybody know of a similar service, or does VATSIM do this and it just wasn't apparent from the info/tutorials on their site?

Also, anybody flown on VATSIM in Utah? I didn't notice anybody from KSLC/Salt Lake Center online at the time I went (not to mention my home airport of KOGD). Just wondering if there are Utah-based controllers on VATSIM and I just missed them?

Thanks for the help!

See ya in the pattern!
-Josh

[gwedge69]

I'd love to have the same experience as VATSIM, but more along the lines of GA flying, such as VFR & sightseeing flights (i.e. go up for 30 minutes or an hour, return back to the same airport).
I would like to second that motion.
George

[xplanefanatic]

I fly vfr in ga a/c all the time with vatsim, they will keep you seperated, and even offer flight following, I have even gone on and done circuits, I just asked them to vector me to the ato so I could make a visual approach. Good Luck!!!!
http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/User_files/3cdd92d9132c3acd.jpg

[lukki]

hey guys, Vatsim isn't just for point to point flying for the big jets and virtual airlines, its for everyone. To fly GA you don't need to belong to an airline, you don't have to use major airports etc. But remembering that you are flying on line, and it is run as 'real as it gets', if you want to go into controlled airspace, then you will need clearance from ATC to do so. If you plan your flights to remain clear of controlled airspace, then ATC won't bother you at all.
I fly with a virtual airline, i also am an Air Trafic Controller and i also fly GA aircraft on-line outside of controlled airspace. I quite often log onto vatsim and then take scenic tours in my Beech Baron 58 or C182 along our coasts looking at the scenery. I don't get bothered by the ATC UNLESS i stray into controlled airspace.

So don't be put off, sign up, get on-line and enjoy yourself.

cheers from downunder :-wave

lukki

[NedUT]

Thanks gents for the replies. I may yet have to check out VATSIM. It just looked from the tutorials that it was pretty much an IFR or point-to-point deal.

Now my only problem is that there don't seem to be many controllers around here in Utah, especially GRND/TWR at a regional airport like [link:www.airnav.com/airport/KOGD|KOGD] (even though it is a very busy GA airport with almost 300 flights a day on average and three intersecting runways).

If GRND & TWR were staffed, or even if SLC Approach was staffed, flying out of Ogden-Hinckley would be a lot of fun (especially since KOGD is only about 5 miles north of Hill AFB with plenty of jet traffic right over KOGD, not to mention commercial traffic on approach into KSLC, a mere 30 miles south).

See ya in the pattern!
-Josh

[lukki]

Unfortunately most information about on-line flying focuses on Virtual Airlines, IFR traffic and point to point flying.
Glad to be of some help to you. That sure sounds like a busy airport, i'll have to drop by someday and check it out.




http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/User_files/3cde02e85a3d8225.jpg

[NedUT]

Well, in real life it is anyway ;-) I live right under base for RY34 and most times during the day there's a plane coming in every five minutes or so... I love it!

I just wish it reflected it a bit more in FS2002. Of course, if I had a decent system and could really crank the AI traffic, not to mention become halfway proficient with TTools and build 300 flights a day coming in & out, maybe it would seem more busy.

See ya in the pattern!
-Josh

[Nobster]

Hello Josh,

I used IVAO (simular to VATSIM) yesterday for my first time and did a VFR flight from Frankfurt to Munich in Germany.

And the neatest thing ever:
I requested clearence for taxi and got the order to wait for follow-me car that will guide me to the runway. Ok, I thought, another little yoke from those guys that simulate the ATC. While waiting I was watching the other planes taxi around, landing and taking off. Frankfurt was real busy that time. And then, a little car came (call sign FOLLOW) and was guiding me to the airport. The coolest thing I saw so far, atleast the idea.
Think you can fly VFR using VATSIM or IVAO with no problems.

Hope this inspires you a little bit.

Greetings from Germany to the rest of the world.
Nobbi

[NedUT]

Nobbi,

Wilkommen und danke sehr!

That's very interesting... I might just have to check it out.

Tschuß!

See ya in the pattern!
-Josh

[Nobster]

Josh,

You are welcome (nichts zu danken :-) )

See you there, hope you will have the same fun I had.
Happy Landings
Nobbi