Step 3

When you are comfortable with what you have heard in Teamspeak and you feel confident, you can start up your FSX, join the FSopen session and interact with the ATC and other players.

1. On the first screen select Multiplayer on the top left menu.

2. Click on the button Local network (LAN) this is the first stage to connect directly to the FSopen FSX Server. Enter your Teamspeak real name you use e.g. ‘John Smith’ in the Player Name: box. Then press the sign in button at the bottom of the page.

3. Next press the ‘connect directly…’ button at the bottom of this page.

4. Now enter the IP address (set of four numbers) for the FSopen session (This can be found on the front page of the FSopen web site and is called FSOPEN.CO.UK). After you have entered the IP Address press the FIND SESSION Button on the bottom right of this page.

5. A pop up box will say ‘Trying to Connect’. This may take a while (up to 2 min) to connect so be patient please.

6. In the MULTIPLAYER Session Conditions Screen

Choose Role - Pilot

Click Change under Current Aircraft to select aircraft type.

Click change under ATC name to change callsign. (this is the name ATC will see you as on there radar screen). Under Airline Callsign select -None. Leave Flight Number blank. In Tail Number type your desired callsign e.g. British Airways 286 would be BAW286. Click OK.

Click change under Starting Location. Select the airport where you want to start in the session. IMPORTANT: Choose runway/starting position - from the drop down menu, select a gate. DO NOT LEAVE THIS SET AS ACTIVE RUNWAY OR OTHER RUNWAY. This will ensure you ‘spawn’ (start your session) at a gate or ramp, AND NOT ON THE RUNWAY. Click OK.

When you are happy with your selections in the Session Conditions Screen - Click OK.

In the next screen, Briefing room, Click Join Session.

7. To be able to fly in FSopen you must log a flight plan using either the Pilot Assist Software or you can use the more complex FS Chat to log your flight plan. Most users in FSopen use the Pilot Assist Software as this also has the ability to sync your communications radio in your aircraft with teamspeak automatically so, you only need to change the COM1 frequency in your aircraft and you are automatically changed channel in teamspeak! So cool!

8. FSopen pilot Assist video ‘how to use it’ can be found here Remember … do not close pilot assist when you have submitted your flight plan minimise it.

9. If you are spawning at an airport with ATC and you are using FS Pilot Assist you need to tune your COM1 radio to the ATC Frequency for that controller. These can be found in the sub channels for that airport in Teamspeak.

If Ground ATC is available at your airport, contact Ground.

If no Ground ATC available, Contact Tower.

If no Tower ATC, then contact Radar.

If no Radar, then change to UNICOM Channel and inform all other pilots of your position, and intentions.

move onto step 4