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Several days ago we sent out an email to our email list (sign-up here) that had 1 simple question:
What Do You Need?
We had a great range of answers from things people would like to see in add-on aircraft, to new simulators, and some direct suggestions for AOA.
One thing that seems to be sticking out to me wherever I look is the fact that many virtual aviators want to learn how to better communicate with Air Traffic Control (ATC).
There are A LOT of people out there that would love to try VATSIM but aren’t sure how to speak the pilot ‘lingo’ if you will.
So I have another simple question for you, and I would love to get your answer.
Would You Like To Learn ATC Communications from Angle of Attack?
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{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Chris, you always ask us to speak our minds…so here goes. I would prefer to see a comprehensive Systems Procedures for the MD-11 (and other AC Type AoA projects) rather than ATC training. There are already many / plentiful existing ‘avenues’ for learning ATC communications.
Keeps up the great work on Aviator90 and looking forward to MayDay11.
cheers Paul.
i second that
Hey Guys,
Yes, I do say speak your minds and I appreciate you guys being so passionate about the systems section.
Did you guys watch the monthly video message? I went into a lot more detail about the systems section subject.
Also, let’s keep in mind that AOA doesn’t have to be on one track. I’ve seen a great need for this Pilot Communication thing.
Hi Chris,
I regularly listen to the Podcast on FSBreak and enjoy it immensely…..
I have been following your Aviator 90 series….. keep up the good work, it’s great to have access to tutorials in video format that helps to extend personal knowledge to be able to implement it into Flight Simulator.
In relation to the topic of an ATC Tutorial, I would love to see comprehensive tutorials on this…. especially country specfic information such as Transponder Codes if possible, as I live in Northern Ireland.
What is the Transponer Code in the UK when you are flying VFR in uncontrolled airspace in the UK?
Is it 1200?
Many Thanks Chris! ;>)
Hey Damian,
I’m thinking that whatever we do should not only be tutorial type stuff, but we should have an area where we can answer questions about all this stuff.
If the aim is to be proficient in ATC enough to fly anywhere on VATSIM, you’ll need to teach ICAO standard ATC as well as local variations. English ATC is quite different to American, and French ATC is, well… French. How many readers would know what was being said if they heard “Vent Arriere piste trente” over the radio? Yet you’re quite likely to hear it on VATSIM in France (and maybe even Canada too).
BTW, it means Downwind for Runway 30
Then you start getting into teaching local procedures as well as just ATC. It’s no good teaching someone to expect to hear “Cleared for standard overhead join: Report descending dead side” if they don’t know what an overhead join is or how to fly it…
Conversely, a Eurpoean pilot wouldn’t have much idea how to “join on the 45″
A noble intention, but there’s much more to “ATC” than it might first seem.
Hey Tim,
I’m not talking about an ‘all things to all people’ product. That’s not what we do here. If we were to teach the world how to do ATC in their next of the woods, that would take weeks of continuous video tutorials.
However, there are many things that can be taken from around the world and put into a course to allow people who aren’t too worried about learning french or learning every system around the world. VATSIM isn’t meant to be this way, and there wouldn’t be a reason for us to do it that way.
I think one transition we’re making here at AOA is from the ‘advanced’ mentality to getting back to the basics. Up to this point we’ve done advanced tutorials. But, you know what, we all started somewhere. There are a lot of flight simmers out there hungry for what we have to offer. I founded AOA along the lines of teaching people how to fly in flight simulator. I didn’t start this company to only be advanced for the advanced simmers.
So, with that said, I wouldn’t limit or expand this ‘idea’ too much. Right now it is just an idea.
Far be it from me to tell you where to draw the line — I’m just throwing thoughts and ideas into your pot. I could certainly make a case though that anything beyond “press 1, 2 or 3…” for ATC is ‘advanced’…
And similarly, what is “basic” depends very much on where you are. Microsoft, in designing FS, chose to ignore the world and make everywhere “America”. If you only want to appeal to the American market, then that’s a valid way to go. But when it comes to considering VATSIM (which seems to be at the core of your original question), where local phraseology and procedures are important, to ignore that would be a disservice IMHO. That doesn’t mean you have to go hugely in depth over every possible variant in every possible territory though.
ATC training for NATS reporting would help me a bunch – I never got the hang of that because I didn’t find an easy tutorial in one place. It’s probably easy, if someone would just show me.
NATS actually aren’t that easy.
My personally isn’t that interested in ATC communication since I already learnt a big bit about it, that’s why I voted no. BUT! For other people who want to get in to the gibbrish radio phraseology that can put people off to try an online flying network, this could be an excellent chance to learn via AoA. And as Tim Arnot said, what kind of phraseology will you then be learning, is it VFR used in the US or more general IFR communications?
Absolutly, The ONLY reason I dont try Vatsim is that I am worried about ATC. I dont want to log on and not know how to start the process and then look like a fool! lol
Thanks for leaving a comment, Cody. The voting is heavily favoring ‘yes’ right now, so I’m surprised more people haven’t chimed in to give us a thumbs up.
But, we do see a need.
Thanks for checking in! Throttle on.
I agree with Cody. This is one of the things that’s held me back from trying VATSIM. I’ve logged in a couple of times to listen in but it seems a bit intimidating or overwhelming. I for one would welcome a good tutorial series perhaps starting out with how to do VFR flights working up to IFR with commercial airliners.
-Jason
Well, so far it’s looking like this is something people REALLY want. We’re listening.
Hi Chris,
I think even a small amount of ATC training for flight simmers would be useful as there are a lot of VA’s/Flying clubs out there that are not using Vatsim or another ATC site but have there own ATC, and i think more people would join these clubs even if they had a basic training, The rest can be learnt with experience in the sky’s just like flying a new plane, also most of these clubs are helpful and dont expect you to be 100% proficient.
Keep up the good work with Aviator90.
Clive
Very true, Clive. I too have been thinking about it a lot and reading. It seems as though it is all pretty simple, actually, and based on correct terminology and a certain philosophy, it doesn’t have to be difficult.
Hi Chris,
Well i for one will be interested, although i have been simming for a few years now, i have just recently got a couple of friends interested in flying and have been doing a fair bit of multiplayer flying with them, this would be a good chance for them to learn a little more. As i only came across this site the other day by chance they are also following your Aviator90 series and are understanding a lot more now they have seen the videos. So keep up the good work and as you say Throttle on.
Clive
Wow, that’s awesome Clive! Thanks for recommending our stuff.
I’ve actually been learning a lot in the past few days about communications, believe it or not. Studying for this course has really opened my eyes to some things I wasn’t quite doing right, and other things that I have done pretty well.
Just goes to show that sometimes we get too relaxed with our experience.