Tips, advice and Generalities - Part 2
A Real world Pilot?
All the advice for the beginner should be adhered to, however you, as a licensed pilot, should know there are a few things that happen online that may be different than you are used to;
Online ATC covers more than one airport
This is no truer than in the JFK airspace. Technically the NYARTCC requires the JFK tower controller to cover Farmingdale-Republic as well as clearance delivery, ground and sometimes departure and approach. In practice this means that 4 aircraft at JFK can positively inundate the frequency with requests that you usually won't hear in real life.
This means you may only get a clearance to the active and a request to "advise when airborne." Other odd ball requests are to squawk Mode C before you get to the active, IFR style commands when VFR, such as assigning a heading, unfamiliarity with VFR routes through Class B (JKF South Shore is virtually unknown) and trying to exert control over you outside of the control area when VFR. There is nothing to be done about this while you are flying. Do what they say, note who they are and perhaps go to the controller website and ask about it in the forum. Nearly all of people in that ARTCC that want to do it right, so don't be afraid to discuss your thoughts with them.
Join the NYARTCC
What better way to get the C's and D's manned? A licensed pilot should at least have the radio work down, and even if your local airport does things differently from Farmingdale or Danbury, you will be a better help than someone that has no experience period.
Be Patient
You would be right in thinking that VATSIM is a great way to practice your real world flying, but as an online pilot you will have to get used to meeting up with people that have never done this before. Don't yell, suggest.
Beware the Pop-up controller
We've all done it, as controllers; looking for the destination of that one aircraft and then jumping into the tower as the pilot is about to land, just so we can do some controlling. The worst conclusion to this is when the pop-up ATC send you a "contact me" as you are trying to judge you flare and cross-wind correction. Again, be patient, the best we can hope for is that they will only do that once. Follow proper piloting procedure and fly the plane, land and clear the runway. Then contact the pop-up ATC. It is debatable as to whether it is you fault and his for the delay in comms, however consider this- some people can't fly due to computer speed, therefore the only control, therefore have no idea what you are capable of doing in "flight."
NYFC is recommending to the NYARTCC that the pop-up ATC be ready to send the "contact me" as soon as they log in. They know you are coming, you don't know they are coming, it only makes sense. You as the Pilot-in-Command, on the other hand, should have the tower frequency on standby as far out as you normally would. Check if the tower is online in the downwind.