First Time Flying on VATSIM - Gatwick (EGKK) to Manchester (EGCC) in the Fenix Airbus A320

Making my first full flight in Vatsim from Gatwick (EGKK) to Manchester (EGCC) in the Fenix Airbus A320.

A nerve wracking experience to say the least. There were a few moments where I dropped the ball, and much learnt for the next time. Hopefully we can start to introduce VATSIM into the streams once I’m a bit more familiar with things.

I use the “Thrustmaster TCA Sidestick Airbus Edition” joystick when I fly Airbus and the "Thrustmaster TCA Yoke Boeing Editing" when I'm flying Boeing, or anything that uses a yoke, along with the “Thrustmaster TCA QUADRANT AIRBUS Edition” throttle quadrant with a set of Logitech Flight Rudder Pedals.

▼ My PC System Specs ▼

CPU: AMD 5600X
GPU: Nvidia 3070 (Gigabyte Eagle OC)
RAM: 32GB Corsair Vengeance RGB 3600 CL16
Motherboard: MSI B550-A Pro
SSD: 1TB Samsung 980 Pro
PSU: Seasonic S12iii 650w
Case: NZXT H510

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Feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions and I’ll try and get back to you. Also, let me know if you have any landing or takeoff requests, always happy to oblige. Make sure to subscribe and ring the bell so you don’t miss any future videos.

Charts:
Copyright © 2022 Navigraph / Jeppesen
Navigraph Charts are intended for flight simulation use only, not for navigational use.

00:00 - Clearance and Pushback
01:35 - Taxi
06:30 - Take off
08:35 - Pretty Views
09:17 - Descent & Approach
12:10 - Approach
13:01 - Landing
15:02 - Taxi to Gate
18:55 - Closing Thoughts

#MSFS #VATSIM #MicrosoftFlightSimulator

[hugocarter]

I was the ground controller at Gatwick! I seem to remember your callsign for no particular reason but I’m glad you enjoyed the coverage.

[Apilot-yoex]

Flying online is one of the best think you can do with flight sim if it's not the best. The immersion espacially on your first ever contact with ATC is difficult to describe.. a merge between strees and excitement .. good job my friend and enjoy !

[aeron]

This is exactly how it's done on a first time basis. Not connecting on one of the busy airports during busy times, no "learning by doing" mentality (I mean you've prepared really well and read yourself into it) and a humble attitude as well. Wow, you've earned another Sub!

[MYxCATSxONxFIRE]

I remember my first flight on vatsim was from bristol on a cloudy day. Was the first time i had worn headphones to play flightsim and one of the first times on live weather (so through clouds). The immersion from the surround sound and first going through the clouds mixed with the stress of vatsim newbie nerves was such a surreal feeling, something i'll never forget.

[WordTradeCenter]

My friend graduated and became first officer at wizzair one of his classmates in flight school played flight sim for long time he basically hadn't to study a lot of he was really advanced he pretty much shocked everyone since he was already able to fly a plane alone...incredible what flight sim can do its realistic as real life but at the same time you won't be worried to die

[maximonkey]

Hey dude, as a Tower controller I can say you did really well, you were not scared to ask for clearification so you know exactly what you need to do. Next to that you had charts and everything prepared! I would be happy with pilots like you, instead of people who just do whatever. And if you are unsure if you should read something back, read everything back that you have recieved, can not go wrong with that.

Dont forget that, when you are ready for it, you are always welcome on EHAM!

[gtite]

I find it so brave to stream your first VATSIM flight. I’ll go and have my first VATSIM flight in a week or so and you gave me some what more confidence to do it, knowing that I’m gonnna be a little more anonimous! Great video! Respect!

[VATSIMUnitedKingdom]

Well done on getting through your first flight, you did brilliantly! We hope to see you around in the skies!

[andybrockbank]

You did way better than I ever managed before deciding Vatsim wasn't for me. When you've had a German dude give you a serve then disconnect you it's enough to make you see red. I came so close to reconnecting and giving him a blast but decided against it. All because I landed long and overshot the taxiway at which he wanted to vacate the runway causing an aircraft in his sequence to have a missed approach. Must have really wrecked his day.

[Chris_M-fnyk]

I took part in my first VATSIM flight a few days ago, our flights were VERY similar in the tiny mistakes made aswell as stress from trying to do things right.
At one point during my ascent, the AP just went completely haywire, so i had to fly my SID by hand whilst trying to manage ATC communications on my first flight.
Safe to say, it was one of the most stressful times I've ever had playing any game/simulator. Absolutely worth it though, was a blast!

[MaxRank]

Haha, getting over the initial call nerves. Priceless. We have all been here. Best of luck on your Vatsim journey, it’s the best way to fly without doubt.

[Manuel--]

A small piece of advice: While short flights are very attractive, as you don't spend a lot of time "doing nothing", it's also nice to have slightly longer flights for your first few flights online, so you can actually properly prepare. Short hops are very, very demanding.

You look very confident for a first flight by the way!

[darrencrosby]

When flying on Vatsim, its good advice to pause when you change to a new radio frequency, to prevent over talking a pilot. Also readback for most things is required. Great job for your first time. well done mate.

[NaCl]

Glad you enjoyed your first Vatsim flight! Flying with VATSIM does become easier overtime as you get more practice, and flying a full flight with full ATC (from delivery to centre back to delivery) is really a breathtaking experience.

[aeronaut]

Dude GREAT work. You knew what to do and weren’t afraid to make errors, and the small ones you did make, you’ll never make again (with some practice). Great video as always

[dhouse-dl]

Never forget my first time...in a 'Baron'...talk about work load, orbits around a VOR to let the heavies in, speed up, slow down, loads of mess ups but it really is so immersive, huge stress, huge fun. A few goes later I tried a circuit at Birmingham in zero vis, total soup....Got some praise from the controller...well chuffed.

[tnmcelroy]

This was the same as my first go on Vatsim. The nerves before that first radio call were so high. I can manage ground, take off, departure, and landing. But arriving, or being vectored completely threw me. So I'd recommend practicing those. The best thing I found was to be aware of what the ATC might tell you, so it's not a surprise when you get told something you weren't expecting.

[el_quba]

I just started watching and... wow choosing an airliner for your first flight on VATSIM. That's brave and kudos to you!

[homasas]

Hi, you were correct to repeat the taxiways, its mandatory. Also, when the instruction is "BEHIND aircaft line up BEHIND", you usually have to repeat "behind xx line up and wait behind" to acknoledge that you understood the critical instruction to let the other airplane land first. Then it was very good for a first time. Always pilot and naviguate first, then communicate. After a while, you will always know in advance what the ATC is gonna tell you.
Finally, try to not overcommunicate on UNICOM. Go straight to the point and dont announce every single step of your flight. Be aware of the traffic around you. Use Vatspy, VSR or whatever you like to know how many planes will be on your path. According to that, communicate accordingly.

[TheFootballManager]

This is fantastic, my first time I forgot to start the apu and went to taxi and the plane just shut off, logged off in a flash.