New member - some questions

[serg.kr]

Hello,

I just joined recently and have a couple questions.

1. If I understand correctly, we're free to use our own weather engines while flying in PilotEdge. However, does this mean we can set up our weather to be perfectly calm, clear and sunny, even though in the real world there might be strong winds, overcast skies, and a torrential downpour at the moment? Can we fly VFR in PilotEdge even though the conditions may be IFR in the real world? Or how about slightly less extreme - let's say they're VFR, but the winds are a bit strong - can I set up the wind to be calm in my sim?

2. Since everyone uses their own weather engine, the ATIS code that one pilot hears in their sim will be different than the one I hear in mine. Do controllers simply ignore the ATIS code I give them? However, I should give them the code anyway so they know I have the weather, right? (Also, are there plans to have some sort of a centralized system in the future so our ATIS codes are consistent?)

3. Are there any rules about pausing or disconnecting mid-flight?

4. I'm aware that in the real world, pretty much the only purpose in filing a VFR flight plan is so that they start looking for you if they haven't heard from you within a certain time. Is there any purpose in filing a VFR flight plan in PilotEdge? Are we encouraged/discouraged from doing so?

5. This one is a bit longer - it's about a rather strange experience I had during my first real attempt at a flight today:

I took off from Mojave (MHV), intending to make a short 20-mile trip to General Fox (WJF). I intended for this to be a fairly straightforward flight, just to get myself familiar with the service, talking to controllers, etc. I practiced the flight on my own first, before connecting to PilotEdge, and it went smoothly. I tried it on PilotEdge, and oddly enough, after taking off from Mojave and climbing about 1,000 feet, my engine failed. What's strange is I didn't configure any failures to occur in my sim (FSX) -- and I've never had this or any kind of failure happen unexpectedly, unless I've specifically configured it to occur. I briefly considered whether I should declare an emergency to ATC, or attempt to turn back and make an emergency landing - but I decided this wasn't the purpose of the flight at all, and I wasn't even sure if this kind of thing is allowed in PilotEdge, so I just disconnected.

The cause of the unexpected engine failure is a complete mystery to me. There aren't any settings in the PilotEdge client related to system failures, are there? I didn't find any by looking through the options or searching online, so I have no reason to believe PilotEdge is to blame. It's just really strange - I didn't do anything differently between my practice flight and my actual flight using PilotEdge. It's possible that my weather engine (REX) may have had something to do with it. I've had cases before where REX would have no wind at one altitude, then suddenly 25-knot winds at another altitude, with no smooth transition in between, which caused me to stall unexpectedly - but never an actual engine failure. But anyways - should something like this happen again, are we allowed to practice actual emergency procedures, including off-field landings, in PilotEdge?

That's all I have. Looking forward to flying in PilotEdge - it promises to be a great tool for practicing cross-country flight planning and communicating with ATC. Hopefully, my future experiences won't be quite as terrifying as today's flight!

[Keith Smith]

If someone could field these, I'd appreciate it as I'm tied up tonight, but I'll take the last one. We don't manipulate any of the systems in FSX, so the engine failure was unrelated.

[djrisc]

1. If I understand correctly, we're free to use our own weather engines while flying in PilotEdge. However, does this mean we can set up our weather to be perfectly calm, clear and sunny, even though in the real world there might be strong winds, overcast skies, and a torrential downpour at the moment? Can we fly VFR in PilotEdge even though the conditions may be IFR in the real world? Or how about slightly less extreme - let's say they're VFR, but the winds are a bit strong - can I set up the wind to be calm in my sim?

You can use any weather you would like, simply tell the controller that "you have the weather". If you don't let them know that you have the weather, they will ask you if you have it or you can request it from them. They will supply you with the real current weather. But there is no requirement to use actual weather conditions, you can use whatever you'd like. (This includes time of day settings as well.)

2. Since everyone uses their own weather engine, the ATIS code that one pilot hears in their sim will be different than the one I hear in mine. Do controllers simply ignore the ATIS code I give them? However, I should give them the code anyway so they know I have the weather, right? (Also, are there plans to have some sort of a centralized system in the future so our ATIS codes are consistent?)

I'm pretty sure if you give them an ATIS code they will simply disregard it. I'm unsure if they will compare the code to actual live weather. (someone else jump in on this?) Normally I just say "I have the weather" and skip the ATIS code in this case as I set my own weather a lot as I'm still learning VFR and it's been raining here in SOCAL a lot. lol

3. Are there any rules about pausing or disconnecting mid-flight?

I've had to disconnect midflight before and it doesn't appear to be an issue. I try to avoid it as much as I can to avoid any confusion with the controllers. Once my computer crashed and came back in at an airport and the controller asked me what had happened and I just explained and we quickly moved on. So, it's generally not a problem. I haven't tried pausing, I would think you would want to try and avoid that just to not negatively affect the experience of any other pilots in the area. I personally try and log in and treat it as real as I possibly can.

4. I'm aware that in the real world, pretty much the only purpose in filing a VFR flight plan is so that they start looking for you if they haven't heard from you within a certain time. Is there any purpose in filing a VFR flight plan in PilotEdge? Are we encouraged/discouraged from doing so?

I know that the controllers are using this (esp. reviewing it for equipment type as I was asked about it once by a controller.) I personally make sure to file every time as they also show your flight based on flight plan on the website. It's a great feature to go back and review your flight later.

I'm pretty new as well, as I've only been around a little over a week, but I have to say I have learned a TON using the service even for a short time. It's an amazing service and community. The controllers are super professional.

Welcome, and hope to see you in the air soon!

Brett

[Ryan Geckler]

4. I'm aware that in the real world, pretty much the only purpose in filing a VFR flight plan is so that they start looking for you if they haven't heard from you within a certain time. Is there any purpose in filing a VFR flight plan in PilotEdge? Are we encouraged/discouraged from doing so?

I know that the controllers are using this (esp. reviewing it for equipment type as I was asked about it once by a controller.) I personally make sure to file every time as they also show your flight based on flight plan on the website. It's a great feature to go back and review your flight later.

We don't see your VFR flight plans. They are strictly for flight tracking on the website.

[djrisc]

Ryan,
Thanks for The clarification! I had no idea you all couldn't see it. I just assumed as I was asked about if I was /g the other night as I didn't put it in the flight plan.

Brett

[Keith Smith]

Brett,

I didn't mean to put the burden onto someone who was relatively new to the network. Sorry I wasn't more clear, that was my fault. My intention was for one of the controllers to respond as they have insight into the inner workings of the network. Thank you for the enthusiasm and help, though

1. Yes, you can use your own weather, even if that results in you needing to use a different one than is normally in use at that airport. For example, we have pilots requesting the ILS 9 at SAN from time to time. We give it to them upon request as long as traffic permits.

2. You have the right idea, you should tell us that you have AN atis code (doesn't matter which), or "have numbers" so that we don't have to read it to you.

3. You can disconnect without warning if you like, although with this being a human-based service, it's not a bad idea to the let the controller know you're heading out. That way, we're not left wondering if:
a) you were unhappy with the service, particularly if there might have been a miscommunication earlier on
b) perhaps there was a technical issue, which leads to the possibility that you might be reconnecting soon, either in the same spot, or further down the line
c) something came up, real world, and you are canceling the flight completely.

It's really the distinction between B & C that's important, so for that reason, it's not a bad idea to let us know.

4. Ryan's right...we don't see your VFR flight plan on the scope. You can file one for tracking purposes on the web site if you like. You can't open or close VFR flight plans as we don't model FSS.

[serg.kr]

Thank you all for the helpful replies!

The only thing I would still like to clarify for certain is with the weather - is it actually acceptable to set my weather to calm & clear in the sim and fly VFR on the network, even when the conditions in the real world are IFR? It would appear to the controller as though I'm violating the rules; and in the real world, my guess is they would actually deny clearance if I asked to take off when there's heavy rain an a 200-ft overcast. Do the controllers in PE ignore this? Or should I still heed real world weather when flying in PE, and avoid flying when conditions are IFR?

[Keith Smith]

You can set any weather you want. If you know the r/w weather is IMC and you're going to do a VFR flight, simply say, "we have the numbers, and we're set to VMC." That will remove any doubt from the controllers' minds.

[serg.kr]

I see - thanks! I've actually been avoiding flights because I thought it mattered, and I didn't want to sound like a moron requesting clearance under VFR in my C-152 when the weather was IFR. This is actually great to hear since, at least from what I've been seeing lately, weather in the PE service area tends to be pretty shoddy for VFR flying. I've actually been waiting for it to clear, but turns out that's totally unnecessary!

Once again, thanks for all the help - things are starting to make a lot more sense now! I'm certain I'll be back with more questions, but I'll start new threads for those.

P.S., As a thought, I would perhaps recommend documenting this whole weather issue somewhere where it would be easy for beginners to find. As a new member, it feels a little bit strange to have controllers relay real-world weather information to me, and for me to just ignore it because I have the weather set to something different; and likewise, it feels strange to tell them I have information "Bravo", knowing that they're ignoring that bit as well! It's not that there's anything wrong with this - in fact, I'm happy to hear I can set the weather to whatever I prefer to fly in today, and not be bound by what's currently happening in the real world - but it might benefit other new users to have these sorts of questions be answered somewhere in the guides, so they know what's allowable and what's not!

Have you considered something like an FAQ page? I've seen quite a few questions around here that I don't think have been documented elsewhere, but would be quite worthwhile to put in an FAQ. If this is something you'd consider, let me know and I can send you some suggestions to get started!

[RZ786]

Hi there. I'm new to the Pilot edge forum. My flight simulator set up will be ready in two weeks and I just did my first hour in a Cessna 172 at the flight school I'm attending for my PPL. I'm not that good with the Sim(FSX) as it's all new to me. I would just like to know if you have any suggestions on how to go about this regarding the SIM. Do I do the missions on the sim first or do I just jump straight into flight my own flights with Pilot edge. I'm still learning how to do flight plans and all the things that go with it. I watch tons of YouTube videos to gain knowledge... I'm happy to be part of this community and I some how don't feel all alone in this....I'm looking forward to a lot of learning and seeing all of you in the sky some time!