I have been meaning to do a Vatsim flight for a long while now. My last was way back in 2010. Up until then I had done about 30 flights all in Australia where I was comfortable with the airports and procedures (along with the accents). I noticed today that there was an event at EGBB. I thought initially it was a bad idea. I hadn't flown on Vatsim in 4 years, hadn't flown on Vatsim outside Australia and hadn't flown the Dash 8 in a Month. In the end I thought bugger it and connected as ICX363 for the flight to EGJJ.

All went reasonably well considering my initial doubts although I was a bit rusty on some calls and the Dash 8. One big mistake though was that in all the excitement I forgot to begin the flight on the bloody ACARS client! I had already started my right engine when I realised the error but I carried on regardless and glad I did as it was a great experience, especially when holding at E1 for runway 33 and ICX366 landed. The flight was great (I got a nice direct to LELNA) and the airspace was busy, the busiest I've flown in on Vatsim. London Control took me all the way to EGJJ until establish on the ILS for 27 (I was expecting a hand off to unicom at their control boundary). One question about this for those with experience on Vatsim in the UK. My last instruction from Control was "Turn heading 320 until established on the ILS". I did this however never heard from Control again. Should I have prompted him, perhaps letting him know I was established or should I have switched to 122.8? In the end I just landed and taxied to the stand.

As it was my first ICX Vatsim flight it would be nice to get it logged although I understand if it's not possible. The details are as follows...

Pilot In Command: Sergio De Ceglie
Date: 16/08/2014
Flight No: ICX363
Departure: EGBB
Actual Time/Schedule Time: 10:45 / 10:40
Arrival: EGJJ
Actual Time/Schedule Time: 11:58 / 11:45
Comments: N0319F230 CPT4D CPT Y321 PEPIS Q41 SAM N621 LELNA
Aircraft: DH8D
Flown: Vatsim

Hopefully I will get around to many more ICX Vatsim flights.

Cheers,
Serge

EDIT: Wow, that was quick. Thanks for adding the log entry.

Congrats on your first VATSIM Flight!


Found your VATAWARE log here http://vataware.com/flight/13906555

Ive added it to your logbook for you!


Depending which London Control you were talking to, I believe one does control Jersey (LON_W_CTR), however sometimes they are very busy and can forget about you. Id recommend in that situation once your established on the ILS call up with something like "London Control, Intercity 363 fully established 27" it'll remind him your there and chances are if your about 4 miles out will give you landing clearance!


Only switch to unicom if the controller logs off, or your told to.


You can check with London Control is in control of the area you are in here http://www.vatsim-uk.co.uk/area-sectors/

Thanks for updating the log Chris. Much appreciated.

I checked out the UK Area Sectors webpage before the flight but for some reason didn't notice the bit at the bottom covering EGJJ. I was probably looking at Vatspy during the flight and saw the CTR boundary on there which is why I got confused. I believe I was on LON_CTR 123.9 at the time after being handed off from LON_C_CTR. Thanks for the tips. Always something to learn. 

Cheers,
Serge

VATSpys good but if any London control is online shows the entire sector being covered!


I only recently found that sector map, its very helpful!


Theres always room to learn more stuff and VATSIMs a great place, sadly there are some impatient people on there who expect you to know everything but I'd say most people are willing to help if you ask!


If you need any more help with VATSIM shout up on here, I fly on there quite regularly!

I managed to sneak in a second ICX Vatsim flight today. The Vatsim event at EGBB was still on so I flew ICX158 from EGBB to EGPH. It went a bit better today and I remembered to start the ACARS this time. My only error was that I forgot to turn on the transponder when on the runway for departure for which I got a prompt from Tower. Other than that the flight was relatively uneventful. The ACT coverage and staff were excellent along the whole route and I feel my calls improved. The landing was a bit rough though with gusting winds making the approach to runway 24 difficult.

Unfortunately, it might be a while before I get time to do another Vatsim flight but this weekend has been good.

Cheers,
Serge

On the subject of VATSIM, I have a rare evening to myself tonight if anyone is up for a flight somewhere?
Will be online from about 19:30

Im just planning to fly EGLC - EHRD, will be on from around 1830 ish...depending how easily the kids go to bed!

Congratulations on your first two flights Serge, if you have any more VATSIM questions then just post here in the forums 

Sorry Ben but I'm off out for a family dinner tonight (all you can eat world buffet, been semi-fasting all day), just logged off VATSIM now having done some VFR out of East Midlands (been ages since I've done any VFR stuff). There's some very good coverage over the UK at the moment, so you should be in for a treat.

Chris, I'm guessing you're not logged on yet? Because I can see you on ServInfo as prefiled but I'm sending you offensive PMs and you're not responding  (yes, that is the level of maturity the airline's senior management are at)!

Might have to join you for an all you can eat buffet instead. Absolutely hank marvin!