Communication - Lesson Five
-  Flying Etiquette for Would-be Online Pilots  -

What's a Flying Etiquette?

This article contains Ten Commandments for all pilots who want to fly in ATC Environment either on SATCO or IVAO Network. With more and more ATC controllers available online during weeknights and weekends, it is more and more realistic and enjoyable to carry out your Emerald flights online. Please, notice that by joining a Network you join a Community. Every Community has got an Etiquette that one must observe in order to be accepted. The Virtual Flying Community is no exception. In order to adapt to this community as smoothly as possible without irritating Air Traffic Controllers or fellow Online Pilots, you must observe some rules...

Ten Commandments for Online Pilots

1. Do not connect to SATCO / IVAO while standing on a Runway! When you connect to either Network your aircraft immediately appears on the monitors of ATC controllers as well as other Pilots flying or taxiing in the vicinity. Just imagine: you are on finals to Dublin RWY 28 just before touchdown cleared to land, and suddenly a 747 appears before you out of nowhere! You would become angry, wouldn't you? So would others! Avoid annoying other people by joining only when standing at the Terminal. Please also notice that when changing airports FS places you right on the runway! Avoid using FS' "go to airport" feature when connected to SATCO / IVAO for the above reasons!

2. Do not depart without a submitted Flight Plan! Always file a Flight Plan no matter there is ATC coverage at the airport or not, and no matter you fly a scheduled flight or just perform touch-and-goes. It is your flight plan that makes your intentions clear for ATC controllers. If there is no ATC coverage at your departure airport, it is essential that you send your Flight Plan to the Unicom frequency (122.80). Why? Because a controller might turn up any time or you might wander into controlled airspace and then the ATC will ask you to resend your Flight Plan. If you have filed one before departure, resending it is but a moment but creating a flight plan on the spot freezes your aircraft in the air for several minutes!

3. Do not depart without preparation! Keep all relevant Charts at hand! Virtual controllers are there to assist you, that's right, but there are other pilots who need assistance. Controllers are very busy at times and may not have the time to give you radar vectors throughout your flight. Therefore you must be able to fly your Flight Plan on your own. Before departure, study your own flight plan carefully in oder to familiarize with waypoints, departure, arrival and go-around procedures, etc. ATC may order you to fly direct to a certain navaid or intersection that may or may not be part of your original flight plan. If you have got the relevant Chart at hand, it's easy to comply. If you haven't got the Chart, use your GPS! Ask for vectors only when it is absolutely necessary!

Finally: if you haven't got the SID/STAR or Approach Chart, always advise the controller on initial contact!

4. Do not SLEW or PAUSE the game while in the air! First, it is unrealistic. You fly online for added realism, don't you, so why would you do such an unreal thing? Second, ATC controllers are sequencing aircraft for departures and arrivals and slewing your plane either in the air or on the ground may upset the sequence. Third, it may annoy your fellow pilots. Would you be happy if you were waiting for departure with three other aircraft before you and when your turn came someone slewed his aircraft on the runway before you? I don't think so. Slew your aircraft to parking position before connecting and then forget the Y key! Many a time people PAUSE the game to check charts or do some other stuff. This is simply another way to upset ATC's sequence and annoy other pilots. Just imagine: you are Number 2 to land 5 miles behind arriving traffic and the guy before you suddenly pauses the sim and stops in the air! Then you have no choice but to interrupt your approach or hit the P yourself, both of which is very annoying!

5. Do not fly at an accelerated Simulation Rate! - for the above reasons. Doing so may upset sequencing and / or cause trouble to other pilots the same way slewing and pausing does. ATC approved acceleration on long transatlantic routes may be admissable but it is better to avoid acceleration altogether during online flights. Flying at an accelerated rate in the vicinity of airports is strictly forbidden!

6. Do not leave your PC unattended! Even the most experienced pilots have the tendency to leave their PC behind "for a moment" in order to visit the lavatory, going out to the kitchen to make a sandwich or ring up a friend. It is OK as long as they fly offline, but not when online! Why? Because ATC controllers have the conflicting tendency to send their most important transmissions at these very moments! For example, a separation conflict may occur while you are away requiring prompt reaction on your behalf. BTW do you know what would the result of the crossing of a 737 and a Concorde be called? A flaming wreckage! Leaving your PC behind "for a minute" is one way to realize it, so it is best to avoid leaving your virtual cockpit behind altogether, but if you really must leave, advise ATC of your prospective time of coming back.

7. Do not set your RW to Voice Activated mode! This is a common mistake of beginners: Voice Activated mode is most comfortable - don't have to rummage about the transmit key, yes? No! As long as the RW team cannot guarantee that it doesn't react to anything but YOUR voice (and believe me, they cannot at the moment) it must not be used. It does react to all noises, sending out a large number of mike clicks blocking all communication on that channel. Do not use it!

8. Do not interrupt your Controller or fellow pilot! First of all, courtesy requires you not to do so. Second, it prevents effective communication between pilot and controller. Your transmission cannot be that urgent and even if it is, chances are big that the ATC controller will be unable to make it out if you are not the only one speaking on his channel at the time. In addition, you must avoid transmitting between ATC instruction and readback. There are several instructions that the pilot must read back so that the ATC can make sure that his orders are understood correctly. If a controller gives instructions to another aircraft, wait for that aircraft to respond before you call out to the controller. As a general rule, keep your transmissions on the minimum, always think before you speak and constantly monitor all transmissions. By doing so you may get useful pieces information that you needn't ask for later and you will be able to avoid transmitting at an inconvenient time, making your controller and fellow pilots happy.

9. Do not argue with your Controller! Air Traffic Controllers are in command of the airspace under their control. There is absolutely no point in arguing with them at all. If you don't like it, change sides and sit before a radar screen. As long as you are sitting in the cockpit, however, you have no choice but to comply with their wishes. Even ATC controllers make mistakes sometimes, that's right, but it doesn't authorize you to start an argument. If you happen to recieve an instruction that seems inappropriate, simply ask the controller to CONFIRM it. It is enough for a controller to recognize his mistake and review his last instruction. If he doesn't, he must have his causes (unknown to you) for asking what he does. If you are 100% sure that he made a mistake you can politely ask him to give reasons, but only after you have complied with his instructions. The only acceptable reason for refusing to comply is immediate danger to the aircraft.

Be advised: ATC controllers are extremely sensitive to arguments! If you want to make them happy, you'll avoid it at all costs!

10. Do not be offensive to anybody! Always keep in mind: this is just a hobby that people (pilots and controllers alike) do in order to have fun! As soon as either party feels unhappy there is no point in the whole thing any more. In order to prevent this happening, please always be patient and polite with all members of the online flying community. Do respect other people's feelings and never lose your temper. Nobody has ever been hurt in an online accident but many has been in the following dispute.

My many thanks to Mr. Mahesh Sahasranaman for his article that I have used as a template.