P I L O T F I R S T S T E P S

31/7/2020 training:pilot:first_steps [Documentation Library]

https://doc.ivao.aero/training:pilot:first_steps 1/12

Pilot First StepsPILOT FIRST STEPSThis tutorial will show you the steps required to join IVAO as a virtual pilot. It is meant to give you a short overviewabout the tools used, and some very basic instructions how to “behave” in this new environment.

If you have not yet done so, you will need to join IVAO (https://ivao.aero/members/person/register.htm) to createyour personal user account.

Note that this is required only once, and valid for both ATC and pilot career!

More speci�cally, we will show you how to…

Download, install and set up the required softwareConnect to the IVAO Network (“IVAN”)Submit a (basic) �ight planInteract with Air Tra�c Control (ATC), or how to act in absence of ATCObtain further information and training

DOWNLOAD IVAP

The �rst thing you need to do is download our pilot client, IvAp, which will allow you to connect to the network. Thiscan be downloaded from the Software Development Pages (https://ivao.aero/softdev/software.asp).

FS 2002 and FS 2004 users should download “IvAp v1 (for FS2002 and FS2004)”FS X users should download “IvAp v2 (FSX Only)”X-Plane users should select the proper version on the Software Development Pages(https://ivao.aero/softdev/software.asp). Look for IVAO X-Plane Client. Note that the operation of the X-PlaneClient di�ers from the IvAp for Flightsimulators 2002/2004/X, the basic priciples are the same however.

https://ivao.aero/members/person/register.htm

https://ivao.aero/softdev/software.asp

https://ivao.aero/softdev/software.asp



Pilot First Steps

Once you have downloaded the program, you should run the executable �le and install the program.

During the installation process you will be asked if you wish to install TeamSpeak and FSUIPC. We are usingTeamSpeak for our voice communications, so if you intend to use voice for your communication with the Air Tra�cControllers (ATC) and you do not have TeamSpeak 2 installed on your computer, you should select also TeamSpeakto be installed. FSUIPC is a small module necessary for your online �ying. If you do not have FSUIPC installed onyour computer (or if you do not know what it is), select also FSUIPC to be installed.

When it has been installed, you should visit the con�guration settings (Start Menu → All Programs → IVAO → IvAp -IVAO Virtual Pilot Client → IvAp - Con�guration) and set the required options. Check the IvAp manual for a detaileddescription on each of the settings.

MTL (MULTIPLAYER TRAFFIC L IBRARY)

MTL (Multiplayer Tra�c Library) will enable you to “see” other aircraft around you by installing hundreds of aircraftand their liveries into your �ight simulator.

The MTL package is included in the IvAp download and will automatically install itself when installing IvAp. Afterinstallation of IvAp has completed, the MTL Downloader will run automatically and ask yout to initiate download ofthe MTL �les.



Pilot First Steps

Press the green “Full Install” button to install all the MTL aircraft. Alternatively, you can select the MTL you wish toinstall from the list.

If you are installing all the MTL, there are over 3000 models to download so this may take some time. Once theaircraft have been downloaded, an MS-DOS window will open – do not close this window. Allow it to complete itstasks.

You may notice that Flight Sim takes long to load up due to the amount of MTL installed. You can reduce this timeby hiding the MTL, which will not a�ect your Flightsim or IVAO experience. This can be done by visiting Start Menu→ All Programs → IVAO → IvAp - IVAO Virtual Pilot Client → MTL Hide Aircraft. The following program may take anumber of minutes to complete so even if it looks like your PC isn't doing anything, it is. Eventually, the MS-DOSwindow will open up again.

Execute your MTL installer periodically to download the latest MTL updates.

TEAMSPEAK

We use the TeamSpeak 2 program for voice communication. Text communication is permitted but voice ispreferred. Teamspeak is included in the IvAp download package, and will be installed automatically during theinstallation of IvAp.

Important: IVAO is only compatible with TeamSpeak Version 2! Should you have TeamSepak 3 installed already,install our version, too.

Once you have installed and have run Teamspeak, there are some settings you must change. Open Settings →Sound Input/Output Settings.



Pilot First Steps

You should select the “Push to talk” method and select a key by pressing “Set”. Here you can see that Mouse btn 2(mouse scroll wheel) has been selected as the push to talk key. Now, every time you want to transmit to thecontroller on the frequency, you must �rst press the push to talk key, speak and then let go of the push to talk key.Avoid using the “Voice Activation” method as this opens your microphone whenever noise is picked up sobackground noise and even you breathing, may set it o�. You could then be transmitting over the channel withoutrealising it.

As a “Push to Talk” button, select a key that does not have any function in your Flight Simulator. If this key has anyfunction in your Flight Simulator, every time you press it to talk in TeamSpeak, the Flight Simulator function will beactivated.

FIRST CONNECTION

The following steps are based on FS 2004. Still, FS 2002 and FS X users should be able to follow the guide.

Load Flightsim and create a �ight.

You will notice that a new menu has appeared in the �ight sim task bar called “IVAO” (FS X users: Addons → IVAO).Select this menu and then press “Start IvAp”. The IvAp program will now load and you will see an icon made up ofgreen and red dots load in your taskbar, near to your PC's clock.

Note: FS X users will not see the green and red dots.



Pilot First Steps

You may see various things loading in �ight sim (IvAp program/multiplayer connection), just leave these tocomplete what they need to do. When you see 3 green dots and 1 red dot, like in the image above, the programhas �nished loading.

You will now see the IvAp window in the top left hand corner of your Flight Sim.

Some important things to do before connecting to the network:

Make sure that when you are connected, your aircraft is parked at a gate. Do not connect on the runway oron a taxiway. When choosing your air�eld within the Flight Sim menus, it automatically places you on theactive runway so ensure that you have selected a gate in the appropriate drop down menu.Do not use the slew option in �ight sim to slew around the airport once you are connected. If you have tochange gates just after you connected, use the options within �ight sim to load your aircraft at a new gate.If connecting with an airline callsign, you must use the airlines ICAO code followed by the �ight number, i.e.BAW123 not BA123.

To connect, press the “CONN” button. You will then be presented with a new window.



Pilot First Steps

Enter the details:

Callsign: The callsign of your aircraft, this could be your aircraft registration or �ight number for example.Real Name: Your full name that you registered with IVAO.VID: Your IVAO VID that was assigned to you when you joined.Base Airport: An airport close to where you live, your VA base, or any airport you would class as your “baseairport”.Password: The IVAN password you were assigned when you joined IVAO.Aircraft Type: The type of aircraft you are �ying.MTL Model: The aircraft and livery you want other people to see you as.Server: The server you are connecting to. For best performance, use the one auto selected.Port: Leave this box as it is!If you can transmit and receive on voice, select that option. If you can receive voice but cant transmit voice,select that option. If you are text only, select no voice.

Once again, make sure your aircraft is parked at a gate before connecting!

When all of the above details are correct, press the “Connect” button.

When you have successfully connected, the sign “OFFLINE” will change to “ONLINE”, and you will receive a welcomemessage in the IvAp dialog box and all the dots in your taskbar will have turned green.

FSX users will not see the green dots.



Pilot First Steps

FLIGHT PLANNING

On the IVAO Network, it is mandatory to �le a �ight plan for every �ight. Before or after connecting to IVAN, openIvAp and press the buttons “ACARS” and “Send Flightplan”, then �ll in the form. Most �elds will be unknown to you,for your �rst �ight it is su�cient to �ll �ight rules, departure aerodrome, route and destination aerodrome.

Some airspaces are very compact, complicated and get very congested. We recommend that your �rst �ight is alocal �ight at a quiet airport (and not the big international �eld of your capital!) in order to start with a simplesetup. The easiest way is a local �ight according to Visual Flight Rules, that is doing tra�c patterns around theair�eld and �ying in the vicinity of the airport.

For such a �ight, �ll in the �ight plan as follows and refer to the picture for the location of the mentioned items:



Pilot First Steps

Field 8, Flight Rules: “V” for VFR �ight.Field 13, Departure Aerodrome: Enter the ICAO-Code of your departure.Field 15, Route: “LOCAL” or “DCT” for your local �ight.Field 16, Destination Aerodrome: Enter the ICAO-Code of your destination, in this case the same asdeparture for your local �ight.

Later on, you might want to �y a route from A to B, employing Instrument Flight Rules. To �nd your way, youshould follow the “motorways” in the sky, or airways. There are many di�erent sources to �nd these routes. Thebest place to get routes is from the IVAO Route Database (https://ivao.aero/db/route), which lists many popular citypairs. The routes found in this database are the routings that real aircraft follow through the air.

You will need to have enroute and aerodrome charts at your disposal to follow those routes. Controllers use thesecharts as well and will expect you to have them. Charts for your �ight can be found on the division's website of thecountry you are �ying at (see active divisions list (https://ivao.aero/Content/About/Divisions.aspx)). Another goodmethod is to query your favourite internet search engine for the words “[ICAO code] charts”, replace “[ICAO code]”with the code of your departure/destination air�eld.

INTERACTION WITH ATC

The purpose of IVAO is to �y online with virtual Air Tra�c Controllers guiding you through the skies. You shouldtherefore have an understanding of how to communicate with controllers. The United Kingdom Division o�ers anexample of how to communicate for a VFR and IFR �ight (http://ivao.co.uk/pilot/guidelines).

https://ivao.aero/db/route

https://ivao.aero/Content/About/Divisions.aspx

http://ivao.co.uk/pilot/guidelines



Pilot First Steps

When connected and ready to start your �ight, you have to make sure if there is an online ATC station in yourairport or area. To do so, type in your IvAp .ATC and a list will appear with all active controllers in your area,including their respective frequencies. See the example below:

Tune the proper frequency of the controller in your radio shack. From now you can communicate with thecontroller.

If you have selected to use voice for your communications, when inserted the appropriate frequency, you will alsoautomatically join the TeamSpeak channel of the controller.



Pilot First Steps

Before contacting the controller you should retrieve his ATIS. Knowing the information of the controller's ATIS willhelp you communicating and �ying in his airspace. To retrieve the ATIS, you can follow the steps below:

The primary form of communication with ATC is voice. However, text communication may be used. Whencommunicating via voice, there are some important things you should remember: •When a controller or anotherpilot transmits on the frequency, wait until the other station has acknowledged and replied to the transmissionbefore you transmit something. •When you �rst connect to a new frequency, wait for a few seconds beforetransmitting. You may inadvertently interrupt a conversation.



Pilot First Steps

If you have trouble tuning to a controller's frequency using your airplane radios, you can type in your IvAp .c [theproper frequency] and hit enter, example: .c 132.975.

UNICOM

If there is no ATC online in the area where you are �ying, you should tune to the Unicom frequency of 122.800 (atext only frequency) and broadcast your intentions. When �ying on Unicom, keep a good look out for other tra�cthat may be operating in your area.

The “UNICOM” frequency here on IVAO is a text-only frequency. This means that all your transmissions in thisfrequency are done only by text. Hence when you select this frequency, you will not join automatically aTeamSpeak channel.

Unicom is not to be used as a chat channel. It should be used for operational messages only. You should use theprivate message feature within IvAp to chat to individual people.

When you �rst load �ight sim, the default frequency is 122.950. If there is no ATC at your departure aerodrome,please remember to �rst of all tune to Unicom 122.800 or you may transmit your intentions on the wrongfrequency.

The UNICOM frequency is not meant to chat with other pilots. If you wish to chat with another pilot or ATC, type inyour IVAP .chat [airplane or ATC callsign], hit enter and a chat window opens.

FURTHER INFORMATION

You may �nd our IVAO Forum (http://forum.ivao.aero/) incredibly helpful. A local division forum is also available,select it from the drop-down menu at the top. You can use it to ask any questions or post about any problems youare having. There are lots of people willing and able to help you make the most out of your online �yingexperience.

If you cannot �nd what you are looking in the forum or a division site, you can use your favorite internet searchengine to �nd what you want.

TRAINING

If you would like to extend your understanding with regards to online �ying, you may �nd it bene�cial to request atraining session from your local division's training department. This can be done via the training section of yourdivision website, which is linked to http://xx.ivao.aero/ (http://xx.ivao.aero/) (replace “xx” with the two-lettercode of your division). If you are unsure about the correct code, visit your personal pro�le(https://ivao.aero/members/person/details.asp) page – it is listed there.

AND F INALLY…

Have fun! This is an incredibly addictive hobby. As soon as you start �ying online, you will never go back to o�ine�ying and will wonder why you didn't do it sooner!

Back to Training (/training:index)

http://forum.ivao.aero/

http://xx.ivao.aero/

https://ivao.aero/members/person/details.asp

https://doc.ivao.aero/training:index



Pilot First Steps

P I L O T F I R S T S T E P S

Documents