Hello folks !
When I'm flying on Vatsim as a VFR pilot, I always use a piece of paper next to me to write down all instructions or informations I may receive or listen, like the ATIS or the departure clearance etc.
BUT I think it can get messy sometimes and you don't remember automatically what instructions refers to what. This is why I created that VFR Vatsim Notepad file. It contains 13 blocks divided as such :
- Departure Informations
- Callsign
- Departure and Arrival airports
- Stand
- Cruise altitude
- Your Transponder code
- Time Log
- Log Engine Start: used to know when you started your engine (can be useful to track down when you need to change the fuel selector for example)
- ETE and ATE: Estimated Time Elapsed and Actual Time Elapsed. They refer to the time you took for your flight.
- EOBT and OBT: Estimated Off-Block Time and Off-Block Time (EOBT refers to the time you think you'll be taxiing and OBT is the actual time you start taxiing)
- ETD, ETA, ATD and ATA: Estimated Time Departure, Estimated Time Arrival, Actual Time Departure and Actual Time Arrival
- VFR Waypoints
- Used to write down the major points of your VFR routes in case you need to tell ATC where you're heading to.
- Departure ATIS
- ATIS Frequency
- Information Code Letter
- Runway in use
- Transition Level
- Winds
- Visibility
- Clouds
- Temperature
- QNH
- Taxi Departure
- Departure instructions
- Departure Frequencies
- Enroute Frequencies
- Enroute Instructions
- Arrival Frequencies
- Arrival ATIS
- Arrival Instructions
- Arrival Taxi
As a bonus, the second page contains the typical VFR Phraseology used in Switzerland that can be applied in Germany too. Remember that VFR clearance in Switzerland and Germany are not necessary. What matters is the VFR departure (or arrival) route you want to take. Also in Switzerland GA engine start-up clearance are not necessary on Vatsim unless it's night time.
Of course it is a first draft and may be changed in the future depending on the feedback. Feel free to leave any feedback on the comments. I hope this document will be useful for some of the VFR pilots flying on Vatsim. Note that this file could be used as well for IVAO.
Enjoy your VFR Flights !
Air Amaruk