First Flight Complete!

[4535jacks]

So I completed my first flight today from Oceano to San Luis and then to Santa Mairia.

I used the default C172 (i don't have payware aircraft yet) and used the callsign G-CGMH which is the reg of the aircraft I own and fly in the UK and so reading this callsign is second nature for me and one less thing to remember when conversing with ATC! The flight went ok but I must apologise to the controllers for my use of UK GA RT such as requesting frequency changes, reporting finals, reading QNH or QFE, when reporting an altitude or height and so on. I will pick the US way of doing business I promise! Thanks to the controller that had to put up with me for an or so.

Anyway, the flight was fun and reasonably challenging and I was very impressive with my new Orbx SoCal textures. If anyone wants to recommend a good scenic route then I am all ears.

Jacks

[Justin Lerner]

Congratulations, welcome to the network!

I'm curious what lead you to PilotEdge and to try the USA's "way of doing business" as you put it.

[Ryan B]

I think it's cool you're flying "over here." I was always afraid of vatsim EU flying. Mainly because getting a hold of charts seemed difficult.

[4535jacks]

Truthfully I haven't decided to try PE to learn US RT but rather to find the most immersive and realistic flight simulation. I use flight simulation to complement my RW flying and so I want to talk to knowledgeable and professional ATC. I looked at VATSIM but it looked like it was focused on commercial jets and did not have great coverage. Also VATSIM wasn't that busy.

PE seemed to offer a GA focused professional environment.

If you want some UK charts, then I recommend you download the free Skydemon Lite for iPaD or Andriod. I use the full version (subscription required) to plan and navigate all of RW flights. Skydemon is incredibly popular over here and most pilots use it as their primary gps. I fact it is so good that I have mounted an iPad case of my instrument panel so it can be easily see and used in flight.

Out of interest, is there a system in PE that tracks airspace infringements?

Jacks

[Matthias Geiss]

Truthfully I haven't decided to try PE to learn US RT but rather to find the most immersive and realistic flight simulation.

^this

I'm from Germany, and don't have any real world flying experience. When I decided to start flying online I had the obvious chices of Vatsim/IVAO, but I soon realized that my usual simming times don't line up very well with those times when there is good ATC coverage on the free networks. So I took the plunge, joined PE and although I just did ten flights (V1 - I7), I already know that it was the right decision.

[BFG]

Welcome. I was monitoring the other day and heard you - your call sign is very distinctive (as is your accent!). You'll love PE and there's no gong back. As for beautiful VFR routes in the scenery, I have yet to find one in Orbx SoCal that isn't wonderful to look at. I've been flying the Alphabet Challenge to build my skills, and after only four flights have already found it a pretty amazing tour of the area. You might check it out: http://myflightroute.com/atoz.php?

[Peter Grey]

he flight went ok but I must apologise to the controllers for my use of UK GA RT such as requesting frequency changes, reporting finals, reading QNH or QFE, when reporting an altitude or height and so on. I will pick the US way of doing business I promise! Thanks to the controller that had to put up with me for an or so.

I was the one controlling you last night. No need to apologize, you're simply doing what you know (and is correct on that side of the pond). Obviously things are different in the US so call it some bonus knowledge .

[4535jacks]

Thanks Peter.

Out of interest when conducting a vfr flight through class g airspace, what radar services are available and terminology is used to request them.

In the UK a vfr aircraft can request 3 types of service from a LARS, basic, traffic and deconfliction. I guess it is not the same stateside!

I conduct a medium distance vfr flight and would of like a traffic servic but did!'t know how to ask.

Gary

[Justin Lerner]

Out of interest when conducting a vfr flight through class g airspace, what radar services are available and terminology is used to request them.

In the UK a vfr aircraft can request 3 types of service from a LARS, basic, traffic and deconfliction. I guess it is not the same stateside!

I conduct a medium distance vfr flight and would of like a traffic servic but did!'t know how to ask.

There is only one type of radar service available for VFR pilots called flight following. You can pick it up on the ground at any towered airport, otherwise you'll need to call the closest TRACON or ARTCC once you're airborne.

Here is a video that demonstrates the process of picking up flight following once you're in the air: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QxM5BAaA8o

I'm not sure how your radar services work in the UK, so I'll go a little more into how it works in the United States.

Getting flight following on the ground is as easy as telling clearance delivery or ground (whoever you talk to first) that you want flight following, to where, and at what altitude you plan to be at for the majority of your route. Altitude reporting is not mandatory with flight following, so if you leave this altitude for any reason you're really not obligated to inform ATC unless they've requested it. You're still just VFR traffic so you can technically do whatever you want within the regs. The only difference between you and someone squawking 1200 is you're getting traffic advisories (and vectors if you ask for them). Remember that you are still ultimately responsible for your own separation and navigation because you're not in positive control of ATC despite being "radar contact." So if you're lost and need some help, or you can't see traffic that ATC is pointing out to you, just ask for a vector.

Also, flight following is not a guaranteed service. If a controller's airspace is saturated with traffic, they don't have time for VFR guys, and they can and will legally deny you radar service.

[4535jacks]

Peter, thanks for the info and the link.

It would seem that VFR flight following is the same as UK traffic service where you are under radar guidance and will be provided with traffic info but resposibility for deconfliction is your responsibility.

In the UK vfr traffic can request a more controlled service called a deconfliction service which is like a traffic service but also the controller provides flight instructions to maintain deconfliction - under affect you are under full control.

Is there equivalent of this service in the US?

Apologies for all the questions!

Gary