The Virtual Air Traffic Simulation Network (VATSIM) is a virtual world that I feel has something to say to the rest of us. I'm having a hard time putting my finger on what exactly, but it is a feeling. A little while ago, the Oakland ARTCC on VATSIM posted a fine (and first official) video...
The strangest component of a VATSIM ARTCC (Air Route Traffic Control Center) might seem to be those who play the air traffic controllers. To be one seems odd in what must already appear to be an odd world experience to most outsiders: I'd much rather fly a plane than instruct others how to land one! Add into the mix the exhaustive training regime controllers undergo (see [fn1]), and there comes a sense of sacrifice or at least commitment.
Yet, on this Saturday night, I casually note that at e-Oakland (e-CA, e-USA), just one hub in the VATSIM universe, there are 4 controllers and 25 pilots online.
In Civicus I asked whether a measure of a good world, virtual or otherwise, is the degree to which one can rely upon the duty-mindedness of strangers. Thus my question. Were you to devise a set of metrics to measure the health of a virtual world, what would they be? High on my list, I suspect, would be the willingness and the commitment of strangers to bring me home.
Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you.
-ColdPlay
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/Ed 11/19. The VATSIM Online Flying Survey 2006 is available here. Relevant to a number of details wrt comments below. Including: 99.3% players are male; ~50% have no RW aviation experience; ~25% are private pilots; ~25% other RW aviation involvement. Interestingly, 66% of 4463 respondants said that they have controlled on the network.
The Oakland ARTCC on VATSIM website.
The Virtual Air Traffice Simulation Network
Post-gazette reprint of May 18 Wall Street Journal article By Peter Sanders. See also General Discussion on forums here ("VATSIM Makes Front Page of Wall Street Journal").
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[fn1] (From the Oakland ARTCC on VATSIM website, emphasis added):
"The most important step in starting your training is to become familiar with the contents of this site... Pay special attention to recent changes by checking the NOTAMs page and be sure to review the SOP and Policy statements from the SOPs/LOAs page... Download the Oakland CTR sector file and any tower other sectors you might be interested in. Familiarize yourself with the airports, navaids, and geography of the ZOA airspace.
You are required to take the ZOA SOP exam and Clearance Delivery / Ground exam. The Training Administrator or an Instructor will arrange to have it emailed to you, and it will test that you have read through the SOPs and policies and are familiar with basic airport operations. The procedure for taking this test is the same as the VATUSA pilot/observer test that you took prior to joining ZOA ARTCC. You may not control unsupervised until you pass this test. When you do pass this test, in accordance with our Facility Certification Policy, you may work any DEL, GND, or TWR position except at KSFO and KOAK.
New controllers should begin to work through the Student 1 (S1) Syllabus on the Controller Training page. Extensive practical training information is at your fingertips in this section of the web site.
Student S-1 & S-3s are primarily trained by the Mentor Team. The Deputy ATM runs the mentor program and can assist you in locating mentors for your initial training. Posting in the discussion forum is the best place to introduce yourself and alert the mentors to your joining the ARTCC."
Including (from here):
FAA Order 7110.65 - ATC Procedures
FAA Federal Aviation Regulations - Part 91
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