A few very basic questions before I launch....

[carguy4471]

Well, after farting with my sim for a bit, getting scenery, aircraft, avionics, etc. I'm ready to start my pilotedge adventures.

A few questions for those willing to lend a hand to a rookie.....

Callsigns. If I'm flying a GA aircraft, do I use the N number that's painted on my aircraft? Can anyone even see that? Or do I just make one up that I like? If I make it up can I use the same one when I log in using a different aircraft??

Weather. I don't feel like spending $$ on a weather add on, so can I just fly with any weather I like on my P3D?

Pilot ratings. Must I complete all 3 VFR ratings before getting started on IFR?? I really love me some IFR flying but will likely do VFR 1 and 2 just to get the feel for everything and work out any bugs. I'd really love to jump from v2 into the i1 and come back for v3 later if it's permitted.

I may think of some more questions but that's what's on the top of my head for now. Thanks everyone!!

[Kyle.Sanders]

First and foremost: welcome to the network!!

I want to leave this here:
http://myflightroute.com
---a great resource for PE


Aircraft registration number that is painted on your aircraft is not seen by others. When you log into the network you will have a box to fill out and one of the boxes is your call sign. What you type there is what the controller and other aircraft will see.
While we are on the subject with aircraft registration, I am going to drop this right here: https://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificat ... g_nnumber/

You can fly with whatever weather you want but if you are not flying with "real world weather", you should indicate in the remarks section of a flight plan and/or tell an air traffic controller.

You can fly The ratings in any order that you like but two things:
1. If you skip one, anything after the one that you skip does not count. In this case if you skip the V3, this I1 you want to do will not go on your record.
2. I highly suggest you follow the ratings in order. There is so much valuable information in there that everyone should know. Especially the V3 rating.

Good luck!

[Ryan B]

Just make sure you have charts handy for the frequencies...have fun!

[schwed]

Welcome to the network! I'l hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

I'm a RW pilot and spend a lot of time training on the pilot edge network. I want to STRONGLY recommend that you do th ratings in order starting with V1. Flying VFR is an important skill needed to fly under IFR.

Watching Keith's videos (available on the pilotedge website) was invaluable to me as a pilot and I would suggest you watch them. They're long, but incredibly helpful. I watched all the videos prior to doing the ratings and before actually taking the check ride with the FAA.

As you go through the ratings, read all the materials for the rating as well as the videos.

You can certainly go on the network and start flying without reading anything. But I find it many times more enjoyable to do things on the sim as I would in real life.

Happy to answer any questions you have along the way.

Enjoy and have fun!

[carguy4471]

Welcome to the network! I'l hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

I'm a RW pilot and spend a lot of time training on the pilot edge network. I want to STRONGLY recommend that you do th ratings in order starting with V1. Flying VFR is an important skill needed to fly under IFR.

Watching Keith's videos (available on the pilotedge website) was invaluable to me as a pilot and I would suggest you watch them. They're long, but incredibly helpful. I watched all the videos prior to doing the ratings and before actually taking the check ride with the FAA.

As you go through the ratings, read all the materials for the rating as well as the videos.

You can certainly go on the network and start flying without reading anything. But I find it many times more enjoyable to do things on the sim as I would in real life.

Happy to answer any questions you have along the way.

Enjoy and have fun!

Check and Check.

I have watched all the vids, love 'em! I am actually a r/w pilot, but admittedly, just have a ppl and not many hours.

I will take the good advice given and focus on the ratings in order. That v3 might be the death of me though, lol. Should be good fun in any event.

I appreciate the words of encouragement from everyone!!

[Kyle.Sanders]

If I remember correctly, I failed the V3 the first time. Listening for those "magic words" or "cleared into/through..."

[schwed]

If I remember correctly, I failed the V3 the first time. Listening for those "magic words" or "cleared into/through..."

I did too. I accidentally switched the comm to the standby freq instead if the Nav. ATC couldn't get ahold of me and I missed an instruction.

The second time around I had an engine failure. Fortunately I was allowed to take off from SMO where I did an emergency landing and was able to complete the rating.

Fun times!

[wmburns]

Callsigns. If I'm flying a GA aircraft, do I use the N number that's painted on my aircraft? Can anyone even see that? Or do I just make one up that I like? If I make it up can I use the same one when I log in using a different aircraft??

I fly on FS Economy (FSE) quite a lot. As an aircraft owner I'm flying the same aircraft frequently. I like to use (when possible) a call sign with some real world "history".

If looking for some "interesting" ideas for call signs here's something I wrote some time ago.

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=4512