Welcome to aviation computers! Here you will find information about civil aviation.
(EN)
Καλωσορίσατε στην aviation computers! Εδώ θα βρείτε πληροφορίες σχετικές με την πολιτική αεροπορία. (GR)
In
2011, VATSIM has completed 10 years of operation and offer in on-line flight simulation
field. The VATSIM network is the most organized network of the world with more
than 200,000 members.
VATSIM is a disinterested, international flight simulation network. Members can
log in either as pilots or as air traffic controllers depending on their rank
and the education that they have received and get involved by conducting the
most plausible procedures. VATSIM has
been distinguished for the high education level of the staff and the realism it
provides. Worth noticing is the fact that in 2006 the organization was front
page of Wall Street Journal. As far as the
participation of the public is concerned, it is indicatively referred that on 3
September 2009 there were more than 209,000 active members recorded. There are two
Greek-speaking branches of VATSIM· the Greek and the Cyprus Virtual Area Control Center, where volunteers with enthusiasm and a great deal of knowledge provide exceptional
services for free to all members.
The
stand of VATSIM at the flight simulation conference.
The view
of a VATSIM Air Traffic Controller.
Objectives
The main aim(ήpurpose) of VATSIM is to maintain the high level
of realism as far as procedures and phraseology are concerned. That made the
organization very popular among trainee pilots that had ATC communication
problems and among pilots that would like to further improve their
capabilities. Furthermore, there are provided training sessions free of charge
at which everybody can take part.
Imitating reality, VATSIM is divided into geographical areas, the Virtual Area Control
Centers. Those centers provide pieces of information [Flight Information
Regions (FIR)], the Civil Aviation Authority of each country [Area Control
Centers (vACC)] and the Air Traffic Control sections [Air Route Traffic control
Centers (ARTCC)].
In addition there are six major zones, which are:
Africa and Middle East
Asia
Europe
South America
Oceania
North America
History
VATSIM network was created after the dissolution of the Simulated Air
Traffic Controllers Organization (SATCO). SATCO organization split into two
separate communities, one of which is VATSIM.
Simulated Air Traffic Controllers Organization (SATCO)
After the middle of 90s, on line community providers started being created and every single one could
cooperate with people from the whole world through Internet. Because of the
more and more growing number of aviation enthusiasts, SATCO community was
created, chaired by Randy Whistler. AVSIM wanted to donate it’s provider for
the needs of the community. In December 1998, IVAO was split from SATCO due to
disagreements and by this way gained its current form. After this event, AVSIM
withdrew its donation after a disagreement with the board of SATCO in 2000. On 7 June 2001, the vice president of SATCO,
Harvey Stein, resigned due to lack of transparency in the donations of members.
More resignations followed and there were made requests for the publication of
financial data. In the next few days, SquawkBox (a program used by pilots to
log in on line) creator , Joe Jurecka. After a while, SATCO was dissolved.
Foundation of VATSIM
Former members of SATCO began the immediate
foundation of a brand new organization, chaired by Harvey Stein, the former
vice president. The VATSIM organization officially started operations on 12
July 2001. Mr. Stein was later elected chairman of the VATSIM board. The board signed
a contract with Randy Whistler, former chairman of SATCO and VATSIM was
recognized as the official SATCO following.
Software
Flight plan in VATSIM
VATSIM is supported by sophisticated systems and software
to ensure network operation. Those systems make flight and scenes very realistic.
Members use special applications (like Squawkbox or FSInn) for simulators (like
Microsoft Flight Simulator or X-Plane) for pilots, or Virtual Radar Client
(VRC) and Euroscope for air Traffic Controllers. All those applications are free
and provided by VATSIM.
Internet services are provided by different sources from all around the world
and all of them communicate between them. There is also software of other
sources/ providers, that even though aren’t so necessary, provide important
information about available routes, ATC positions, weather conditions and
flight history.
Training
All users, in order to connect on line, have to be
members of VATSIM and being aged 13 years old or more. There are no charges for
connecting to VATSIM.
VATSIM doesn’t require from pilots to be trained before their first flight, but
air traffic controllers receive mandatory training before being able to open
any position. In 2005, Israel Airways (El Al) requested from pilots to take
some exams via computer before joining the company. VATSIM has two boards· the Board of Governors and
the Executive Committee. Present chairman is David Klain. All operations are
supported by volunteers and donations. Using the network is free of charge and
there are no indications for charging fees in the future.
Austrian Arrows | Fokker 100 | OE-LVG
