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Installation
- Visit
xsquawkbox.net
to download XSquawkbox (XSB). This software is an
XPlane plug-in that connects you to the VATSIM networks.
- Unpack the supplied files and place them in your
{Xplane_home}/resources/plugins directory
- Download
and install all available CAX aircraft
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Setup
- Register
for a VATSIM
account. Take note of your id and password.
- Visit
the VATSIM
Who's Online. Take note of the IP
addresses for the two closest servers to your position
(ie. the USA-W, or UK-1 servers). Use the Visual
Display option to find out which areas have
active ATC. This information will give you an idea
of where to fly if you'd like to have ATC service
for your flight.
- Start
xplane. Go to the Rendering Options menu,
set the Number of Aircraft to Display to
at least 8.
- Go
to the XSB menu under the Plugins menu to set up
a Push to Talk key, either on the joystick
or keyboard.
- Complete
the audio set up portion of XSB
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Connecting
- Position
your aircraft ON THE RAMP at an airport with ATC
coverage (based on the info from the Who's Online
page for the VATSIM network).
- Select
the "Connect..." option from the menu. Enter your
VATSIM ID, password, and the IP address
of the server to connect to. You will also need
to select the Make and Model of the aircraft that
most closely matches the one you're flying.
- Once
connected, select the Squawk Standby option
under the XSB menu.
- Select
the Show Who's Online option to get a list
of nearby ATC. A few seconds after connecting, the
list will be updated. Tune your COM1 radio to the
appropriate frequency, to listen in to the chatter
on text and voice.
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Getting
Started
- Now
that you're connected, listen in to ATC for a while.
Get a feel for the flow of communications.
- A
good idea for a first flight would be to do a VFR
flight, remaining in the traffic pattern at the
airport. This will get you comfortable talking on
the radio, without trying to fly a complex route
in a complex airplane.
- File
a VFR flight plan by going to the Send Flightplan
option. Enter a route of LOCAL. Make reference to
the fact that you're new by entering 'NEWBIE' in
the REMARKS section of the flight plan.
- Contact
ATC, tell them who you are, where you are, and what
you want to do, then follow their instructions.
- For
a sample transcript of how to interact with ATC
for an IFR flight, visit
this page.
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Do's
and Don'ts
- Do
not exceed 250 KIAS (indicated airspeed) below 10,000ft
- Do
not pause in flight without the permission of ATC
- Always
position your aircraft on the ramp (not a taxiway
or runway) before connecting to VATSIM
- File
a flight plan EVERY TIME you conduct an IFR flight,
regardless if ATC is online or not. You never know
when they will show up.
- Squawk
stdby while on the ground, until ready for takeoff
- Squawk
2200 when conducting IFR fight without ATC service
- Don't
report "ready for takeoff" unless you're truly READY
to go. ATC expects you to execute your takeoff roll
very quickly after you are issued the takeoff clearance.
- Execute
ATC actions, and THEN respond. For example, if ATC
says "5 from DUMBA, fly hdg 260, maintain 4100 until
established, cleared ILS 28R approach", you should
adjust your heading, and start your descent, then
respond.
- If
ATC issues an instruction to another aircraft, wait
a reasonable amount of time for the aircraft to
respond before making a transmission yourself. This
will eliminate many, many voice collisions on frequency.
- In
the USA, "flight levels" exist at FL180 and above.
The altimeter should be adjusted to 29.92 when at
or above FL180. Below that, refer to the altitude
in thousands/hundreds of feet, and use the current
altimeter setting.
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