I was hoping to start flying helicopters in vatsim. Can anyone help explain the phraseology or provide a link. Also how do I operate inside controlled airspace at helipads and do I need to be in a special ops organisation to fly to helipads etc. For me I would be flying In UK/Europe. And also what about offshore oil rig ops (I’m thinking about the north sea)
Hi Bevan,
In short Rotary Wing aircraft are not automatically under VSOD. The type of aircraft doesn’t make it ‘Special’.
If you undertake an ‘activity’ that is listed as restricted in the VSO Policy then yes you need to be a member of a VSOA Partner.
To answer the question on airspace and procedures that is hopefully the purpose of VATSIM (educate). There are some excellent resources around both with VATSIM and from real world that you can use to learn. The answer is not simple.
I highly recommend getting experience without ATC, and then listen in on some ATC/RW communications. LiveATC is good. You could also join a VA or VSOA partner to interact and learn. vHelimed operate in the UK.
Have a look at this up to date document of VATSIM Germany. Some information is specific to Heli Ops within German airspace, but the rest can be used globally:
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What helped me a lot was this YouTube channel by The Nerdy Helisimmer. There is a playlist on flying helicopters on Vatsim called “Flying On Vatsim And Helicopter ATC”