Events happening today
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05 December 2020 05:00 PM 06 December 2020 01:00 PM
Cross the Ditch 19: Summer 2020
It's been a long long year, but on VATSIM there are some things you can still count on.
In the first weekend of December pilots from every corner of the globe will descend upon Australia and New Zealand to continue their undaunted quest to Cross the Ditch!
Check out the official Cross the Ditch website
Apply to provide ATC
Book your Flights now!
View the Event Schedule
Check out the Virtual Airline Leaderboard
Grab the recommended add-on scenery for each of the event airports
What's it all about?
For twenty hours this December, the skies over the Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand will be filled with aircraft all on a mission to Cross the Ditch.
An example of that typical down-under understatement, this "ditch" is over 1100nm wide. The flight routes all range from three to three-and-a-half hours flight time.
Throughout the event, the Oceania region's two divisions – VATNZ and VATPAC – will be providing full ATC coverage, in the Southern Hemisphere's premiere oceanic event.
This is a great opportunity to experience Oceanic flying without the need to commit to an eight-hour flight!
If you're new to Oceanic Flying, our reporting tool makes taking part a breeze.
Event Times
This twenty hour event is timed to allow pilots from all over the world to join the fun:
UTC: Saturday 5th December 2020 17:00 - Sunday 6th December 2020 13:00 AEDT: Sunday 6th December 2020 04:00 - Monday 7th December 2020 00:00 NZDT: Sunday 6th December 2020 06:00 - Monday 7th December 2020 02:00 Four airports, fully staffed
For this season's event, VATNZ and VATPAC are both staffing two airports from 6am to midnight local time. Pilots simply pick one of the airports and then fly to either of the two airports in the other division.
The result is eight routes simultaneously crossing the Tasman, with ATC coverage for all of them. This event will be Conga-line free!
It isn't possible to complete all eight routes in the one day, but shrewd pilots should be able to complete the Four Airport Challenge by operating a valid Cross the Ditch flight through all four airports during the event.
The Four Airports for Cross the Ditch 19 - Summer 2020 are:
VATNZ - New Zealand Queenstown (NZQN) Wellington (NZWN) VATPAC - Australia Gold Coast (YBCG) Melbourne (YMML)
Calling all Pilots and Controllers
Flight plans are available from the Flight Plans section.
Book your flights now from the Flight Bookings page. Bookings made on this site help us plan for the event, and will also show up in vroute.
Controllers wanting to get in on the action can also apply now at the event's ATC Applications page.
Events Calendar 1 Comment -
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06 December 2020 09:30 AM 10:45 AM
Event Details
Those pilots intending to fly this flight in FSX/P3D please note the departure airport "Golden Grove YGGE" requires the installation of additional Alan Blencowe scenery. Refer to the links in the scenery section below.
Simulation Date/Time : Current date set to daylight.
Weather : Real World / Fair weather if real world is unsuitable for VFR operations.
Distance : 182 nm
Est Flight Time : approx 80 mins
Aircraft : Single or twin engine aircraft such as Beechcraft Baron, Cessna Caravan or similar capable of 165 to 185 kias.
Altitude : Upto A9500
Flightplan
File as : YGGE YKAR YPJI YMRW YTHS YMEW YDRA YGEL
GPS Flightplan is available for FSX, P3D, FS2020 as a 'pln' file and X-Plane as an 'fms' file. The original Plan-G flightplan is also included for those that find this useful. These are all enclosed within a Zip archive.
Navigation : Pilots familiar with the area can navigate visually, for those less familiar the accompanying GPS Flightplan is the recommended method of navigating the flight plan.
Communications
Australia uses CTAF (Common Traffic Advisory Frequency) for radio comms at uncontrolled airfields. Now that VATSIM has introduced AFV (Audio For VATSIM) CTAF can now be used across all VATSIM approved pilot clients. Pilots are requested to tune to the published frequency as detailed in the flight details for an event when operating in or around an aerodome to make and monitor CTAF broadcasts. Pilots should also be aware that it is a VATSIM COC (Code of Conduct) requirement that all pilots at uncontrolled airfields should monitor Unicom (Australia 122.80). It is highly recommended that pilots ensure that at least one of their "on board" COM radios (COM 2 being the most likely) is tuned to receive unicom transmissions in addition to transmitting and receiving on the published CTAF frequency. Please Note. All pilots should also be vigilant regarding the receipt of text on both unicom and CTAF. If it is discovered there is a pilot participating that is unable to receive voice transmissions, pilots should arrange to also broadcast via text to ensure those pilots without the benefit of voice is able to receive appropriate broadcasts. VATSIM provides an update guide for getting AFV working on each of the approved pilot clients.
Pilots also should read this post regarding the implications of using VATSIM UNICOM for CTAF. It provides some insight into potential pitfalls for the unwary when monitoring 122.80 in a CTAF environment.
Recommended Scenery
FSX / P3D
Alan Blencowe's Complete Scenery Collection - Required for Golden Grove [YGGE] ORBX Australia ANTS AUSSIE AIRPORTS OZX 3.5 AU Scenery OZX Libraries 1.2 (required for all OZX scenery) X-Plane 10/11
Bazz's Australian and PNG Scenery for X-Plane Flight Details
GOLDEN GROVE [YGGE] Takeoff
elev : 1183
rwy : 11/29 asphalt
CTAF : 126.70
KARARA [YKAR] T&G - H-209° D-31
(Scenery not depicted in P3D)
elev : 1019
rwy : 12/30 sealed
CTAF : 126.90
PERENJORI [YPJI] T&G - H-239° D-25
(Scenery not depicted in P3D)
elev : 966
rwy : 14/32 9/27 dirt
CTAF : 122.80
MORAWA [YMRW] T&G - H-315° D-19
elev : 902
rwy : 09/27 15/33 gravel
CTAF : 126.70
THREE SPRINGS [YTHS] T&G - H-204° D-21
(Scenery not depicted in P3D)
elev : 882
rwy : 1/19 dirt
CTAF : 122.80
MINGENEW [YMEW] T&G - H-305° D-27
elev : 999
rwy : 18/36 gravel
CTAF : 122.80
DONGARA [YDRA] T&G - H-266° D-27
(Scenery not depicted in P3D)
elev : 23
rwy : 17/35 dirt
CTAF : 122.80
GERALDTON [YGEL] Land - H-339° D-32
elev : 121
rwy : 14/32 bitumen
rwy : 08/26 gravel
rwy : 03/21 asphalt
CTAF : 126.80
NDB : GEL GERALDTON 359.0
VOR/DME : GEL GERALDTON 113.90
Chart
VFR Operations 0 Comments
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Upcoming Events
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08 May 2024 09:00 AM Until 10:30 AM
0This Weeks Flight for Wednesday 8th May 2024 finds us in Canadian Northwest Territories flying from Hay River CYHY to Yellowknife CYZF (home base of the famous Buffalo Airways) with a delivery of freight to Fort Providence (CYJP) on route.
Flight created by YMA555
Scenery: Due to the plethora of flight sim programs now in use scenery is at the discretion of each pilot.
Aircraft: Capable of 150 kias. A DC3 or C47 would be suitable.
Comms: Tune Radio to 122.80MHz - Unless Advised by ATC or further detailed hereunder
.Flight Plan: Details
Distance: 173nm
Weather: Real time weather, fair weather if conditions are not suitable for VFR Flying.
Flight Plan:(CYHY-CYZF)< Just click on this link for Flight Plan for .fms and .pln
BELOW: MAP OF ROUTE
THANKS FOR FLYING VATPAC WORLD DISCOVERY FLIGHTS
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10 May 2024 09:00 AM Until 10:15 AM
0Simulation Date/Time: Current date set to daylight.
Weather: Real World / Fair weather if real world is unsuitable for VFR operations.
If not using live weather, please be mindful of others who are using live weather and will be taking off and landing into the wind.
Distance: 184 nm
Est Flight Time: approx 75 min
Aircraft: Beechcraft Baron or similar aircraft capable of 160 kias.
Altitude: Not above FL125. Suggested 3500 ft.
Flight plan
File as: YPKG YGGR YMZI YJEY YLEO YMMI YLTN
GPS flight plan is available for FSX/P3D .pln, MFS2020 .pln, X-Plane .fms and Little Navmap.
Navigation: Pilots are encouraged to navigate visually. For those less familiar the GPS flight plan is the recommended method of navigation.
Communications
Australia uses CTAF (Common Traffic Advisory Frequency) for radio comms at uncontrolled airfields. During an event, Pilots are requested to broadcast intentions on the published CTAF. Pilots should also be aware that it is a VATSIM CoC (Code of Conduct) requirement that all pilots at uncontrolled airfields should monitor UNICOM on 122.800. Pilots should ensure that at least one of their radios (COM 2 being the most likely) is tuned to receive UNICOM transmissions in addition to transmitting and receiving on the published CTAF.
Pilots also should read this post regarding the implications of using VATSIM UNICOM for CTAF. It provides some insight into potential pitfalls for the unwary when monitoring 122.80 in a CTAF environment.
Scenery
Due to the plethora of simulation platforms now being used, scenery is left to the discretion of each pilot.
Flight details
KALGOORLIE-BOULDER [YPKG] Takeoff
elev: 1203
rwy: 11/29 18/36 asphalt
CTAF: 126.6
VOR/DME: KG 114.1
NDB: KG 287
GOONGARRIE MINE [YGGR] T&G - visual along the Goldfields Highway
elev: 1244
rwy: 09/27 dirt
CTAF: 126.7
MENZIES [YMZI] T&G - visual along the Goldfields Highway
elev: 1348
rwy: 04/22 dirt
CTAF: 126.7
JEEDAMYA [YJEY] T&G - visual along the Goldfields Highway
elev: 1414
rwy: 06/24 14/32 dirt
CTAF: 126.7
LEONORA [YLEO] T&G - visual along the Goldfields Highway
elev: 1217
rwy: 04/22 asphalt
rwy: 12/30 gravel
CTAF: 126.8
NDB: LEO 377
MURRIN MURRIN [YMMI] T&G - visual along Leonora-Laverton Road
elev: 1535
rwy: 03/21 asphalt
CTAF: 126.8
LAVERTON [YLTN] Land - visual along Leonora-Laverton Road
elev: 1530
rwy: 07/25 asphalt
rwy: 16/34 dirt
CTAF: 126.8 Chart
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11 May 2024 08:00 AM Until 12:00 PM
0Welcome to the next installment of Newbie Night. This event offers the chance for inexperienced members to join experienced aviators and controllers and take to the virtual skies. Whether you're completely new to flight simulation or you've been flying for years but never connected to the VATSIM network, this is the night for you with plenty of people available to help on the VATPAC Discord. To Join the Discord visit this link.
Event Details:
Fly between Adelaide (YPAD) and Melbourne (YMML) in either direction to experience Class C and enroute airspace, with a bit of time to relax in cruise and enjoy the scenery. This flight is for:
Newbie pilots who want to learn and gain confidence flying on the VATSIM network with live ATC. Experienced controllers who are patient and willing to help newbie pilots on the network. Experienced pilots who are patient and willing to assist newbie pilots through the VATPAC Discord. Flights will depart from 0800z (1800 AEST) with ATC requested/available until around 1200z (2200 AEST).
We recommend planning to depart before 1030z (2030 AEST) to complete your flight with full ATC.
Tutorials:
This site has tutorials (see Help > Tutorials in the menu) which give an overview of flight and ATC procedures. An example of procedures between Class C airports in a radar environment can be found here: https://vatpac.org/help/pilot-tutorials/ifr-melbourne-to-sydney/
Routes:
We recommend using the following routes which are suitable for a jet such as an Airbus A320, Boeing 737, regional jet or business jet, or a turboprop such as a Dash-8, ATR 72, Saab 340 or King Air.
YPAD-YMML:
Jet: DCT AD V255 BENDO Y12 ARBEY H119 ML DCT
Nonjet: DCT AD V255 BENDO V211 PUBAP W291 WENDY V279 ML DCT
YMML-YPAD:
Jet and nonjet: DCT ML H345 AD DCT
Charts:
If you do not have charts they are available here: https://vats.im/pac/charts
ATC:
Controllers interested in controlling the event are encouraged to submit their ATC Applications here. Applications will remain open until three days before the event (08MAY24), after which the roster will be released and available for viewing. Please keep in mind that slot availability will be dependent on the number of applications. Non-standard positions (marked with *) can be opened in accordance with the Activation of Non-Standard Positions NOTAM.
Login Identifier: Radio Callsign: Frequency: AD_DEL Adelaide Delivery 126.100 AD_GND Adelaide Ground 121.700 AD_TWR Adelaide Tower 120.500 AD_APP Adelaide Approach 124.200 AD_DEP* Adelaide Approach 118.200 ML_DEL Melbourne Delivery 127.200 ML_GND Melbourne Ground 121.700 ML_TWR Melbourne Tower 120.500 ML_APP Melbourne Approach 132.000 ML_DEP* Melbourne Departures 118.900 ML-TBD_CTR Melbourne Centre 123.050 ML-YWE_CTR Melbourne Centre 134.325 ML-MUN_CTR* Melbourne Centre 132.600 Scenery:
YPAD - Adelaide:
Payware - Impulse (MSFS)
Payware - AUSCENE 2 (P3D/FSX)
Freeware - Gateway (X-Plane)
YMML - Melbourne:
Payware - Orbx (MSFS)
Payware - Orbx (P3D/FSX)
Freeware - flightsim.to (MSFS)
Freeware - Gateway (X-Plane)
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12 May 2024 09:00 AM Until 10:15 AM
0Simulation Date/Time: Current date set to daylight.
Weather: Real World / Fair weather if real world is unsuitable for VFR operations.
If not using live weather, please be mindful of others who are using live weather and will be taking off and landing into the wind.
Distance: 154 nm
Est Flight Time: approx 75 min
Aircraft: Any GA aircraft capable of 130 kias.
Altitude: Not above FL125. Suggested 3000 ft.
Flight plan
File as: YLTN YSRD YPOP YSDC YPKG
GPS flight plan is available for FSX/P3D .pln, MFS2020 .pln, X-Plane .fms and Little Navmap.
Navigation: Pilots are encouraged to navigate visually. For those less familiar the GPS flight plan is the recommended method of navigation.
Communications
Australia uses CTAF (Common Traffic Advisory Frequency) for radio comms at uncontrolled airfields. During an event, Pilots are requested to broadcast intentions on the published CTAF. Pilots should also be aware that it is a VATSIM CoC (Code of Conduct) requirement that all pilots at uncontrolled airfields should monitor UNICOM on 122.800. Pilots should ensure that at least one of their radios (COM 2 being the most likely) is tuned to receive UNICOM transmissions in addition to transmitting and receiving on the published CTAF.
Pilots also should read this post regarding the implications of using VATSIM UNICOM for CTAF. It provides some insight into potential pitfalls for the unwary when monitoring 122.80 in a CTAF environment.
Scenery
Due to the plethora of simulation platforms now being used, scenery is left to the discretion of each pilot.
Flight details
LAVERTON [YLTN] Takeoff
elev: 1530
rwy: 07/25 asphalt
rwy: 16/34 dirt
CTAF: 126.8
SUNRISE DAM [YSRD] T&G - visual along Mount Weld Road
elev: 1350
rwy: 06/24 asphalt
CTAF: 126.8
PORPHYRY [YPOP] T&G - H-192° D-42 nm
elev: 1189
rwy: 06/24 dirt
CTAF: 126.7
CAROSUE DAM [YSCD] T&G - visual along Yarri Road
elev: 1291
rwy: 06/24 asphalt
CTAF: 126.7
KANOWNA overfly - visual along Yarri Road
KALGOORLIE-BOULDER [YPKG] Land - visual along Yarri Road
elev: 1203
rwy: 11/29 18/36 asphalt
CTAF: 126.6
VOR/DME: KG 114.1
NDB: KG 287 Chart
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15 May 2024 09:00 AM Until 10:30 AM
0This Weeks Flight for Wednesday 15th May 2024 is a flight for seaplanes in Canada BC from Coal Harbour to Campbell River with a few stops/T&G's on route at pilot discretion.
NB: Aircraft with floats mandatory
The bases have different ICAO depending on which sim is being used. Refer Flight Route Details hereunder in need.
T&G's at pilot discretion
Flight created by YMA555
Aircraft: Capable of 120kias is recommended
Comms: Tune Radio to 122.80MHz - Unless Advised by ATC or further detailed hereunder
Flight Route: Details
Weather: Real time weather, fair weather if conditions are not suitable for VFR Flying.
Flight Plan:(PANC-PAFS)< Just click on this link for Flight Plan for .fms and .pln
BELOW: MAP OF ROUTE
THANKS FOR FLYING VATPAC WORLD DISCOVERY FLIGHTS
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