[VATSIM] How to talk to ATC

In this guide i will go through most steps on how to talk to Vatsim atc.
Might be hard to understand for some, enjoy :)

Before Reading! + Tips

This tutorial is mainly based about flying around Europe, I have never flown in America so i have no idea what atc is like there, but i guess pretty simmilar, i have only 105 hours on vatsim so im not some hardcore ''vatsim nerd'' if you want to see my vatsim profile here you go : https://vataware.com/pilot/1363578 . This guide is more into IFR flying.

Some people might have sceneries, so for you they are taxing on grass, but for them they are on taxiway, vice versa :) but ATC doesnt mind that, ATC also understands you might have a scenery so they wont tell you off for going out of taxiways etc.

If you see some mistakes or have questions or have suggestions make sure to comment down below :) Hope you enjoy.

For Vatsim i use Vpilot, and for ATC coverage i google ATC Sectors, and i use http://www.vattastic.com/

In this Guide things in Bold will be things depending of situation, so for example if in bold i says callsign, you would say your callsign.

If you using default airports simply google airport ICAO and charts, and free charts from jeppesen are mostly from 2006 so the layout really matches the game as FSX is from 2006

Some commands that i know on vPILOT
.com1 : Switches to com 1
.com2 : Switches to com 2
.x : Squawk Code ( e.g. .x 2550 )
.com1 [frequency] : Switches to that frequency ( e.g. .com1 122.800 )
.com2 [frequency] : Switches to that frequency ( e.g. .com2 125.800 )
.chat Callsign : You can chat to other pilots ( e.g. .chat RYR2812 )
.msg Callsign : Works like .chat, but sometimes buggy.
.METAR [ICAO] : For example if there is no ATIS available and you want to check current weather at a certain airport you can type in .metar icao of airport and it shows information like wind, qnh etc.
If you know anymore make sure to comment

Special Squawk Codes
2000 - IFR when no squawk given
7000/1200 - VFR when no squawk given
7700 - Aircraft in danger (seven seven – go to heaven)
7600 - Radio Failure (seven six – radio fix)
7500 - Hijack NEVER SET THIS ON VATSIM! (seven five – man with knife)
If you know anymore make sure to comment
The guide isnt fully finished

Before you talk to ATC

Before you talk to ATC make sure you filed your flight plan on vPILOT, or what ever you are using, by clicking on ''Flightplan'' tab and filling the information there. So then the ATC will see your route etc.

ATC's

I use vPILOT, this information might be different on other programs

The are different types of ATC's in Vatsim

Area Control, e.g. Wien Radar LOVV_CTR

Approach, e.g. Gatwick Approach EGKK_APP

Departure, e.g. Liverpool Departure EGGP_DEP

Tower, e.g. Warsaw Tower EPWA_TWR

Ground, e.g. Liverpool Ground EGGP_GND

Delivery, e.g. Gatwick Delivery EGKK_DEL

ATIS, e.g. Manchester ATIS EGCC_ATIS

What does each ATC do?

If there is no atc around you, you can check via the left side of vPILOT, or on http://www.vattastic.com/ . You simply tune in to 122.800 (unicom) and just say your actions there.

Area Control ATC; This ATC is in charge of a sector, for example London Control has i think 5 sectors, North,East,South,West and Central.

Airport Approach; From this ATC you will recieve a STAR to an airport, or vectors depending on the situation, you will also be informed about airport information, traffic etc.

Airport Tower; Tower will simply give you clearances for Takeoff / Landing.

Airport Ground; This ATC is in charge of the ground, it will tell you what stand ( gate ) to taxi to, what holding point etc.

Airport Delivery; This ATC will give you IFR clearances to an airport you flying to.

Airport ATIS; This is an automatic message, no human behind it, this gives you the airport METAR, so the airport information ( airport information is important e.g. Delta ) it will give you the weather, wind etc.

UNICOM (122.800); This is no ATC, but its a frequency that you should be on when thers no atc around so you can inform other pilots of your actions.

Who to talk to?

Now, this can get confusing to some.
( p/s = Push And Start )

if you at an airport with no ATC not even centre, you just use the UNICOM on 122.800

If there is just Delivery at an airport, you ask him only for the clearance and then move to Unicom on 122.800.

If there is only Ground, you ask him for clearance and P/S, Taxi etc.

If there is only Tower, you ask him for clearance, p/s, taxi, takeoff / landing clearance.

If there is only Approach, you do the same as all things above, plus you get an approach phase from him. Also if there is no Centre, you should contact Approach after takeoff.

If there is a Centre, make sure first the centre operates top down, which means he operates airports and in the air actions, some Centres only operate aircraft above FL245. if its Top Down service, you ask the centre for everything, Clearance, Taxi, Takeoff, Landing. Pretty much everything. Which is why this is the hardest ''job''.

How to talk to ATC ( Departure )

Things in BOLD Change depending on situation and place.

ATIS

First Listen to the atis to get the information !!!
Once you get your information e.g. Alpha you can proceed. If no ATIS available simply say no Information or dont mention it, Listen out for ''on initial contact say you have xxxx''

Delivery

With Information:
Template: Departure Airport Name Delivery, this is Callsign at Stand Number Aircraft type Aircraft Request IFR Clearance to Arrival Airport with information ATIS information
Example: Gatwick Delivery, this is Easy 2281, at stand 109, Aircraft type a320, request IFR clearance to Frankfurt, with information Alpha.

With no Information:
Template: Departure Airport Name Delivery, this is Callsign at stand Stand Number Aircraft type Aircraft Request IFR Clearance to Arrival Airport
Example: Gatwick Delivery, this is Easy 2281, at stand 109, Aircraft type a320, request IFR clearance to Frankfurt

*ATC* You are clear to Destination Airport via Airport STAR Departure, Squawk

Template: Callsign Clear to Destination Airport via Airport Sid Departure, Squawking Squawk
Example: EZY2281 Clear to Frankfurt, via BORI 2J Departure, Squawk 5512

Ground

Tip If you not aware how to move on ground at certain airport, google airport ICAO and chart eg. EGKK Charts, and find ground charts, there you will see taxi ways and holding points.

Pushback

Template: Airport Name Ground, Callsign at stand Stand Number, Aircraft Type request Push and Start
Example: Gatwick Ground, this is EZY2281 at stand 109, A320, request Push and Start.

*ATC* Callsign Push and Start Approved facing South

Template: Push and Start Approved facing South callsign
Example: Push and Start Approved facing South EZY2281

Taxi

Template:Airport Name Ground, Callsign Pushed back from stand Stand Number request taxi.
Example: Gatwick Ground, EZY2281 pushed back from stand 109, is ready to taxi.

*ATC*
Callsign Taxi to Holding point Via Taxiway
Example to what ATC might say, EZY2281 Taxi to Holding point Juliet 2, via Kilo, Qubec, Juliet.

Template: Taxi to Holding point Via Taxiway, Callsign
Example: Taxi to Juliet 2, via Kilo, Qubec, Juliet EZY2281.
ONCE YOU APPROACH THE HOLDING POINT YOU GET TOLD TO CONTACT TOWER

Tower
Sometimes when you contact tower he might tell you to go to another holding point.

Template: Callsign With you, taxing to Holding point
Example: EZY2281 with you, taxing to Juliet 2.

*ATC* Callsign taxi to Juliet 2 and hold.

Template: Taxi and Hold, juliet 2.Callsign
Example: Taxi and Hold juliet 2. EZY2281

*ATC* Callsign You are clear for takeoff Runway Runway Number

Template: Clear for takeoff runway Runway Number, Callsign
Example: Clear for takeoff runway 28R, EZY2281

Once you take off you will get told to contact a Centre if online, if not you get told to monitor unicom on 122.800

*ATC* Callsign No Further ATC service available monitor unicom on 122.800
Template:Callsign Moving to 122.800, bye bye.
Example: EZY2281 Moving to Unicom on 122.800, bye bye.

How to talk to ATC ( In Air )

In air you wont get much atc, only Centres.
Once in air if there is some Centre Online and you will approach his sector, you will most likely get a message on vPILOT to contact him on given frequency, if not, message him and ask if you should be in his sector.

In Centre
Just a note, sometimes centres might give you a new squawk code.

On First Contact
Template: Centre Name, Callsign With you at Flight Level Inbound Waypoint
Example: Langen Radar, EZY2281 With you at Flight level 360, inbound GASKO.

*ATC* Callsign Identified.
Now sometimes the atc might tell you to direct to another waypoint due to traffic or him being bored, e.g. :
*ATC* Callsign Identified, Direct to Waypoint

Template:Directing to Waypoint,Callsign
Example: Directing to POBOR, EZY2281

Once you Leave a Sector you get told to monitor unicom, or if available contact another sector

If you are reaching T/D ( Top Of Descent ) Simply by informing the controller:
Template: Callsign approaching top of descent.
Example: EZY2281 approaching top of descent.

*ATC* Callsign Descent to Flight Level

Template:Callsign Descending to Flight Level
Example: EZY2281 Descending to Flight Level 210

If you are approaching your airport after Top Of Descent and still in Centres sector, he will tell you to contact the arrival airport Approach if available, if not he will help you with the approach, that is of course if the sector control is controlling your area.

How to talk to ATC ( Approach )

If Approach is Available you would contact them
Tip: If you dont have a certain STAR because your AIRAC is outdated, simply say unable to do that arrival, something in those lines.

Template: Callsign With you Descending to Flight level
Example: EZY2281 With you Descending to Flight Level 110

What ATC might say?
*ATC* Callsign Identified, expect STAR Arrival for runway Runway Number
*ATC* Callsign Identified, expect vectors to runway Runway Number

How to Reply?
Template:Expect STAR Arrival for runway Runway Number, Callsign
Example:Expect POBI 4H Arrival for runway 25L, EZY2281

Template:Expect vectors to runway Runway Number Callsign
Example:Expect vectors to runway 25L EZY2281

Once you approach the runway, and around 25 miles away or so, you will get told to contact tower
( If tower is available )

*ATC* Callsign Contact Arrival Airport Name Tower on Frequency

Template: Contacting Arrival Airport Name Tower on Frequency, Callsign
Example: Contacting Frankfurt Tower on frequency 123.250, EZY2281

BEFORE CONTACTING TOWER
If ATIS for arrival airport is available make sure to listen to it as you will need the information code for arrival too for a landing clearance, if no atis, simply dont give the atis code.
Also if you didnt get a STAR, simply just say you on vectors

Contacting Tower

Template: Arrival Airport Name Tower, Callsign with a STAR Arrival, request landing clearance for runway 25L with information ATIS information
Example:Frankfurt Tower, EZY2281 with a POBI 4H Arrival, request landing clearance for runway 25L with information Bravo

YOU CAN ALSO SAY YOU ARE ON FINAL, OR WITH YOU APPROACHING RUNWAY #/b][/u][/i]

*ATC* Callsign Clear to land Runway Runway Number ( ATC will also give some information about weather

How to talk to ATC ( At Arrival )

On landing ATC will probably tell you when to turn off, also depending on airport he will tell you what Holding point to turn off at and what side, which is why charts are important.

Once turned off Tower will tell you to contact ground if available

*ATC* Callsign Contact ground on Frequency

Template: Contacting Arrival Airport Name on Frequency, callsign
Example: Contacting frankfurt ground on 152.200. EZY2281

Ground

Template: Arrival Airport Name, callsign with you Holding point, request taxi to Say where you want to taxi to
Example: Frankfurt ground, EZY2281 with you at holding point bravo 5, request taxi to gate/stand.

*ATC* callsign Taxi to stand Stand number via Taxiways

Template: Taxing to stand Stand number via Taxiways,callsign
Example: Taxing to stand 155 via Bravo, Kilo, Juliet, Tango. EZY2281

[KobY]

You get kicked off the network

[Jesse.A.Whitney]

what happens if i was to set squawk 7500....(ps i know what it does irl)

[JamesF0790]

This is a very useful guide even now. Thanks a lot!

[fltbuff71]

Very nice write-up. Thank you for tsking the time to do this. I want to try to start using VATSIM using ATC and this looks like it will help me a lot. I will begin TODAY using your info !

[Kastel]

Ok, thanks for your advice, I think I'll start with short IFR routes.

[KobY]

IFR is much easier than VFR, unless it felt easier as i started doing IFR rather than VFR

[Kastel]

Ive found a tutorial, but since Im a new pilot (no flights on VATSIM yet) do you think starting with VFR on VATSIM is a good idea, or should I start with IFR just to get an idea of flying on VATSIM?

[KobY]

@kastel you would have to contact same type of ATC but different script, you will have to look for another tutorial as i never done VFR in vatsim so know nothing about it

[Kastel]

What if you want to fly VFR in major airports? Do I contact ATC like I would with IFR?

[KobY]

or on vatsim i think you can do .metar ICAO