What is VATSIM?

VATSIM (short for: Virtual Air Traffic Simulation Network) is a worldwide private non-profit association to organize virtual air traffic. You can find more information about VATSIM at http://www.vatsim.net.

There is a regional structure:

VATSIM Global
  - VATEUR (consists of VATEUD, VATUK, VATRUS)
     - VATEUD (32 European VATSIMs except UK and Russia)
       - VACC Austria

As Real As It Gets

VATSIM has a motto: "As real as it gets": We use professional charts, issued by our real counterparts, the ATC for real world traffic. We use their procedures - just a few simplifications, because we are virtual. We even use (most of) their FIR, air traffic boundaries and frequencies.

Pilots are free and welcome to fly in the VATSIM network - the more, the more fun we have. They can flock up in virtual airlines, fly alone, as they like.

As for controllers, things are a bit different, because controlling air traffic "as real as it gets" requires learning and training. And - it is great fun too! Therefore, there is a "career" (S1->S2->S3->C1->...), there are stations you are allowed to staff (DEL, GND, APP, ...), there are even tests (ATSimTest, CPT, OTS). On the other hand: You are welcome in a community of fellow controllers who meet and have fun.

Preparation

The Training Department welcomes you to the virtual ATC world of VATSIM. Your training contains several theoretical and practical lessons.

Software

Before we start with your training you have to download the necessary software:

To communicate with your mentor we use Teamspeak (make sure to get Version 3).

Thereafter we need an ATC client. There are a couple of clients available on VATSIM, but the VACC-Austria use only Euroscope.

You can find it at the euroscope homepage or you use the full configured VACC-Austria edition from our homepage.

Rules & Regulations

For sure, the priority of our hobby is having fun. But don´t forget we want to provide professional service to our pilots and this contains a handful of rules which we don´t have to ignore.

The holy bible is the Code of Conduct. This regulation is valid for everyone on VATSIM.

Additionally every VACC has Rules&Regulations regarding internal topics. Have a look into our Rules and Regulations.

Gentlemens' Agreement

Not everything is written down in a document. The VACC-Austria stands for an excellent relationship among ourselves, courtesy and their reliabilty. If you want to receive these qualities, give it to each other.

If you are unsure what the code of conduct says, then you might agree to being a gentleman :-)

Booking your station

If you want to control on a specific date and time, you have to book your station on our homepage. Choose your station and the time you want to make ATC. If you´ve booked your station, everyone (especially the pilots) will see when they can expect ATC service and plan their flight to or from your station. If you won´t be able to control at your booked time, please delete your booking. It is not nice if pilots fly to the airport according to your booking and no ATC is online. Another point is: Please be online for the whole booked time.

Teamspeak during your ATC session

Being online on teamspeak while being online at VATSIM is highly recommended.

As OBS, you are welcome to join any channel with active ATCs. Please respect privacy in the meeting channels, and ask for permission if you join training lessons.
As controller, it is highly recommended to be online at teamspeak and to join the channel you need to communicate with other ATC.

Your first basic lesson

Berfore your first basic lesson it is required to install the software written above. Be on time to your lesson to avoid delay.

Documents

There is also a PPT presentation for the basic lesson:

[Basic Lesson] (Note: This PPT is stored in Claus' box.com public folder. Please feel free to download it, edit it, save it in some (other) public place and correct the link here. Thanks!)

Study Guide:Basic Lesson

Contents