Online fying
Moderators: Staff, HR, Flight Ops
" Hi pilots! I heared so much about online flying with ""real"" atc. I would really like to try it. What do I need for online flying (apart from internet connection <!--emo&:P-->[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif[/img]<!--endemo--> )?? What are your experiences with onilne flying? best regards! "
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CraigM
"Flying online is a lot of fun. You have a few choices for which orgainztion to join, and you can join more than one if you choose. VATSIM - <a href='http://www.vatsim.net' target='_blank'>http://www.vatsim.net</a> IVAO - <a href='http://www.ivao.org' target='_blank'>http://www.ivao.org</a> FPI - <a href='http://www.flightproject.net/' target='_blank'>http://www.flightproject.net/</a> In many ways these networks are similar. All use different methods for connecting to their networks. I fly on VATSIM and enjoy it very much. I'm a VATUSA (US division of VATSIM) staff member, so I'm biased, of course 
We also have pilots who fly on IVAO and have a nice time there. From what I've seen, both VATSIM and IVAO have a good amount of pilots and controllers online during the peak flying periods, for regions, which is good. FPI, as far as I have seen, has very low numbers of both at any given time. IVAO seems to be more focused on Europe and has little US traffic or controllers. VATSIM covers all regions resonably well, but could be said to be more focused on North America, but I would argue that. The controllers are trained in local procedures and should be able to provide a very good ATC experience. Hopefully this helps. I don't want to start an argument over which network is better. Many times, pilots who've never flown the other network will argue and have no real basis for their case. They base it on rumor and what they've been told by others. So my comments on IVAO are limited as I've never flown on that network. Look at the web sites, see which suits your tastes and enjoy!"
We also have pilots who fly on IVAO and have a nice time there. From what I've seen, both VATSIM and IVAO have a good amount of pilots and controllers online during the peak flying periods, for regions, which is good. FPI, as far as I have seen, has very low numbers of both at any given time. IVAO seems to be more focused on Europe and has little US traffic or controllers. VATSIM covers all regions resonably well, but could be said to be more focused on North America, but I would argue that. The controllers are trained in local procedures and should be able to provide a very good ATC experience. Hopefully this helps. I don't want to start an argument over which network is better. Many times, pilots who've never flown the other network will argue and have no real basis for their case. They base it on rumor and what they've been told by others. So my comments on IVAO are limited as I've never flown on that network. Look at the web sites, see which suits your tastes and enjoy!"