The following is a brief description of how you, as a new pilot to SATCO can get started in this great hobby without stepping on toes when you first log onto the SATCO network. By following these simple guidelines, will keep you from annoying controllers and other pilots. This is by no means a complete list, but it is a list that will get you going in short order.

• Plan your flight, or at least have a good idea of where you want to fly to and from prior to logging on. Gather any and all tools, charts, maps that you may need.

• Check available utilities or lists to see where ATC is available.
  • Check the SATSERVE site: http://www.satusa.org/servers/allservers.htm
  • Check WhazzUp, available at: http://www.schiratti.com/whazzup.html
  • Check ServInfo, available at: http://avsim.com/hangar/utils/servinfo/
• Gather any charts that you may need for your flight.
  • Pull out your charts, or go online to find the charts that you need.
  • There are a variety of sites available to the sim pilot. If you plan on flying in and around the Los Angeles Area, check out the Los Angeles ARTCC website at: http://www.laartcc.org
  • Most, if not all of the ATC centers have their own web pages with lots of links and helpful flight planning information. To find these web pages visit http://www.satco.org Once there click on the link for the SATCO Divisions from here you can click on the map for the part of the world that you'd like to fly.

• Write down your plan.
  • On a piece of paper, write down the route you are planning to fly. Make two plans.
  • First write the plan as it will be in the flight plan that you will send to ATC. This plan should look something like this. KLAX-VTU2.RZS-J501-BSR.BSR2-KSFO. Note that the items after LAX and before SFO have a period (.) in them. This denotes either a SID/DP (Standard Instrument Departure/Departure Proceedure) or a STAR (Standard Terminal Arrival). Also note that the J501 is a Jet route (for those who fly above the Transition Level (which in the US is FL180, but can be as low as FL050 in some parts of the world). Flight plans to ATC should be as brief as possible, but include the whole route. You do not need to include every single waypoint that may be entered into your FMS (Flight Management System). Some Flights are extemely long, and if you enter every point that is in your FMS, the arrival ATC may not be able to see what your arrival intentions are. In the above example, J501 starts for this flight plan at RZS and ends at BSR, but in between there are Two intersections that you will be crossing, that ATC does not need to see. They are PEGRS and ZONAL. Some J routes are extremely long, and contain dozens of VOR's and at least as many intersections. All you need to include for ATC is the start and stop point of the route.
  • Second, write down all the waypoints that you will be entering into your FMS. These are the points that are critical to flying the route correctly. Here you would enter every VOR and Intersection of a J route, so that the FMS can automatically guide you to your destination. You may find that in some cases the FMS flight plan will be very long. Don't worry, there are a lot of utilities out there such as FSNAV (shareware) that can whip up a flight plan for you. You may also try FSBUILD will not only give you hundreds upon hundreds of pre-made flight plans, but will also show you the Flight plan as it should be filed for ATC, which you can then copy and paste.
• Start your Flight Sim, SquawkBox, RogerWilco, and whatever else that you use while flying online.
  • Open your SB menu, and if loading a SB flight plan, select LOAD FMS Flight Plan. Follow the onscreen instructions and select the flight plan that you will be using and click OK (Note: You should save ALL of your SB flight plans in your SquawkBox directory, otherwise you will receive an error message telling you that DAT files could not be found)
  • When the File Flight Plan box opens, ensure that you enter the type aircraft that you will be flying (pull down menu), ensure that the *REQUESTED* Cruise Altitude is correct (remember the NEODD/SWEVEN rule. If your destination is East of your departure point, file an Odd altitude/Flight Level [anything from 000-179 degrees]. If your destination is West of your departure point, file an Even altitude/Flight Level [anything from 180-359 degrees]. Also keep in mind that ATC may assign another altitude/Flight Level based on Traffic, Terrain, etc). Also ensure that you re-enter the ATC's Flight Plan (the first one you copied down, they don't need, nor want all of your waypoints, as discussed earlier). Lastly, ensure that you have an Alternate airport if necessary.
  • Now, position your aircraft on your departure airport in a place that will not be a hazard to other pilots, prior to connecting. DO NOT ever start on a runway, as you may connect as another pilot is landing or departing. It is always best to find the terminal area, and start there.
  • Next, you are ready to connect to the network. Log on, and at this time you can change your Callsign to reflect the flight number you may wish to use.
  • After you are connected, you will need to resend your Flight Plan. Do this by right clicking in the SB Box, and click Resend Flight Plan. If you do not do this after you connect, ATC will not know where you are going, and will likely hear ATC request that you resend it. Now you are ready to find the appropriate ATC and request your clearance.
• Now select the SB menu and click on the ATC Directory. This will pull up a box of all ATC that is available within range of where you are. If you do not see any ATC, then there is none that are in range, and will not see you either. Do not call ATC that is not within range of you, as they will not be able to see you, and therefor will not be able to assist you.
  • Select the appropriate ATC. If you are at LAX for example, you would first look for LAX_DEL (this is LAX clearance delivery, who would be responsible for giving you your clearance, weather, and runways to expect). If DEL is not available, you would next look for LAX_GND, else LAX_TWR else LAX_APP or LAX_DEP, and if none of those are available you would look for LAX_CNT (note that if you see a callsign with a _V_ in between the normal callsign, this denotes a Voice controller who can be reached via his RW channel). To select the ATC, simply double click on his callsign. (In some parts of the world, the ATC may not be listed as you might expect. For example, in San Francisco you would look for BAY_XXX, in Dallas you would look for REG_XXX. This may not be immediately clear, so be sure to check that Center's Web site for details).
  • Next, you will see the controllers ATIS (Automated Terminal Infromation Service). This is generally some pertinent information that you will need, so pay attention. It can include such information current weather, runways in use, name of the controller, his RW IP address as well as other info that you may be interested in.
  • Once on his frequency you need to contact him to let him know that you have seen his ATIS message, Who you are, where you are, and where you are going to, and how you'd like to get there (IFR-VFR). If only using text, just type in the info, and send it. If, however, you are using RW, you need to wait a minute or so, to make sure that you don't talk over someone else whom the controller may have just given instructions to, and is waiting for a response. Once you have determined that the channel is clear, contact the controller and tell him the above info.
• Now that you have a plan, have sent the plan into the System, and have contacted the appropriate ATC, you are ready to begin following the ATC's directions for a fun filled flight to your destination.
  • Clearance Delivery (DEL) Clearance Delivery, as stated before is responsible for issuing a valid clearance, current weather/airport conditions and runways in use.
    • DEL will review the flight plan that you have sent, make any necessary changes and read it to you. The items that you can expect from him are best remembered with the Acronym CRAFT.
    • C = Clearance limit. This will normally be the airport that you are filed to. However, it may be to a Navaid or Intersection, if you would be required to hold, or if you are planning to proceed VFR at some point.
    • R = Route. This could include a departure proceedure, if applicable, and may be as short as your first filed waypoint. At some point you may be told ...then as filed, meaning that you are cleared to XXX, at which point you are free to continue on the flight plan that you filed. Keep in mind that the controller is obligated to give you a. either a route that gets you to your destination or b. a route that will connect you to the flight plan that you filed.
    • A = Altitude in order flown. Here you will be given an initial altitude that you can expect, with a final altitude assignment to be given in X number of minutes, miles etc. You may not be given an initial altitude, or you may be given a several altitudes that you can expect prior to reaching your Cruise altitude.
    • F = Frequency. This will be the Frequency that you will first need to change to once airborne, and told to contact. For example, at LAX you can expect to be told to contact LAX_DEP on 124.30
    • T = Transponder Code. This is your squawk code. This is a four number code that is unique to your flight. In the real world a computer spits out a code that will be unique to you and you alone. In the SB environment, this may not be practical, and you may be flying with a code that someone else is using. There are limits to our environment, but in the long run, it doesn't make too much difference.

    • Once read to you, you will be expected to read it back to one degree or another. It is not necessary to read back the entire clearance, but if you do you must get it right, or ATC will keep correcting you until you do. Most ATC expect that you at least repeat those items that are not in your filed flight plan, such as a departure procedure, if you did not file one, the initial climb, frequency and the Transponder code. An example of a full clearance, to use the sample FP that was written above would be... "N254RC, Cleared to San Francisco via the Ventura2 departure, San Marcus transition, J501, as filed. Climb and maintain 5,000, expect FL310 ten minutes after departure. Departure Frequency 124.30. Squawk 5001." Your read back could be as simple as "N254RC, Cleared as filed, c/m 5,000 expecting 310 in ten, 124.30 on departure, squawking 5001"

    • DEL will then tell you whether or not read back was correct, and correct you if you left something important out. He will then give you other information that is important, such as current weather, the runway in use and anything else that you will need to know about. He will then push you on to Ground GND

  • Ground (GND). Once you have recieved your clearance, started your engines and have made your way to, but not onto the taxiway, you will need to call Ground for Taxi instructions. Ground is responsible for getting you from point A on the airport to the departure Runway, in an orderly manner, and to ensure you do not conflict with other traffic on the ground, be it another aircraft, a fuel truck, or someone changing a taxiway light. At most airports, Ground only controls aircraft on taxiways inside the departure runways. You may want to check a Centers website for more details. Ground will give you instructions to taxi, it is important that you understand what you are being told, and read back all instructions. If you have a question about what Taxiway Bravo is, ask! If told to taxi to a runway, it is implied that you have clearance to cross all other taxiways/runways to get to that runway. However, if you are told to taxi to a runway, but hold short of another taxiway/runway, then you may NOT proceed across that taxiway/runway unless specifically told to do so. Once you are at or near your assigned runway, you will be told to contact the Tower (TWR).

  • Tower (TWR). Tower is responsible for all active Runways. He is also responsible for sequencing all aircraft for landing and departing. This can and does include both VFR pattern aircraft, as well as IFR traffic. The Tower, when it is clear to do so, will clear you for departure. He may give you additional instructions that you must follow, until told otherwise, by either himself or the next controller. For example, Tower may clear you for departure by saying "N254RC, Wind 230@5 Fly runway heading maintain 250 knots or less, Runway 25R, cleared for takeoff. What this all means is, that the winds are coming from a heading of 230 degrees at 5 knots. He expects you to, upon departure, to fly the runway heading at 250 knots or less, from Runway 25R. You MUST comply with these restrictions, and you must read them back, so that there is NO confusion. You will be expected to comply with these restrictions until told other wise by the next controller. At which time you may be told to turn for a vector, resume a departure procedure, climb to a new altitude...etc. Once you are airborne, the Tower should then push you to the next controller Departure (DEP)

  • Departure (DEP). Once airborne and told to contact departure you will be contacting the controller who's frequency you were given during your clearance delivery. This may be Departure, but could be Approach or even Center, depending on the staffing at the time you are online. Departure's job is to Radar Identify you, and start you out on your route in the ATC System. Departure will probably climb you to an altitude higher than your initial climb instructions, but not to your Cruise altitude (depending on your filed altitude and destination). Departure will guide you away from the airport on your SID/DP or to your first filed point in your Flight plan. He will keep you separated from other traffic by at least 3 miles and 1000 feet. Once you reach his lateral, or vertical boundary, he will again push you to the next controller in the ATC chain. This could be another Approach controller, or Center controller.

  • Center (CEN). Once you reach the Center controller, you can expect that the radio communications to be greatly reduced. The center's job is to climb you to your Cruise altitude, and if not already on your Filed route, vector/direct you to join your flight plan route. It is conceivable that once switched to center, you will here that controller only twice. The first time, to greet you, and tell you to climb to your Filed altitude, and the second time to change frequency to the next controller. You may not hear him call you other than those two times. He may call you if there is a potential conflict with other aircraft, or terrain, at which point he may give you speed restrictions, holding instruction, vectors, or an altitude change. You are expected to comply with all instructions. It is centers job to a. vector you back to your original route or b. give you a new clearance. At all times within Class A airspace, Center will keep you clear of other traffic within 3-5 miles and 1000 feet below FL290 and 2000 feet above FL290. While not necessary, it is generally a good idea to tell Center when you reach/leave your cruise altitude. However if the controller is busy, this may be omitted. At this point you will begin to reverse the order of controllers down to your destination. Follow all instructions and read back those instructions so that there is no confusion for either yourself or the controller. If you have a problem, or a question, feel free to ask the controller. If he is not too busy, he'll be glad to help.

  • Net Etiquette (Netiquette). While flying online, courtesy is a must. Keep to your Flight plan. Fly at 1X speed, unless approved by ATC. If no ATC is available, you may speed up to 4X, but keep a close eye on who's online. If ATC appears, slow to 1X again, until the new controller approves a faster rate. When no ATC is available, and you begin your descent into your airport, or if you are starting a flight with no ATC, switch to the Unicom Frequency of 122.80 and let other pilots know your intentions. The minimum information you should include is Who you are (callsign), What you are (type aircraft), Where you are (position from a known point such as airport, NAVAID or Intersection), How high you are, and What you plan to do. If other pilots are in the area, and could be a potential hazard, they should also call to give their position and intentions. Pay attention to these calls, as they will usually let you know of the local traffic patterns, and the landing/departure runway. It is best to conform to these runways to avoid conflicts. Be mindful of others when using Roger Wilco. Keep in mind that only one person may talk at any one time. If a controller gives instructions to another person, wait for that person to reply before you try to call. If a controller use the word "BREAK" in a radio call to Two aircraft, the second aircraft is expected to respond first, followed by the second aircraft. For Example LAX_V_CTR: "N254RC C/M FL310, BREAK AAL1028 You are flying off course, turn left heading 270 vectors back to LAX" In this case, AAL1028, after Waking, will respond with something like, "Roger, left 270" then N245RC would be clear to respond with "C/M FL310, 5RC" At all times ATC has priority. If you hear ATC start a communication as you begin yours, stop immediately and wait for ATC to resume/repeat his instructions. Above all, have fun. When done right, there is nothing as satisfying as flying online with REAL ATC!

Craig Moulton
gaspedal@mindspring.com