FlightLine Community - Event Access

In order to join our ATC-staffed events, you'll need Event Access (Not the "Ping Event" role!).

To apply, go to #bot-commands and do "/apply" with the @Appy bot. Select "Events" as the application_name and ensure you have DMs enabled.

Answer the questions from the bot in your DMs and your application is complete.
Feel free to use the information below or any other resources to help you answer the questions, but you may NOT plagiarize.
Please allow for at least 48 hours after finishing your application before pinging or DMing a staff member about your application. Thank you!

The information and relevant screenshots on how to apply are also in #applications.

What should you do when someone is misbehaving on frequency?

If someone is breaking the rules (in a text chat or voice call), try to keep evidence of the activity if possible.

Report the offender to any online moderator, or if the offense happens during an event, report it to the event host (whoever pinged people to start the event). If no mod staff are present in the VC, you may try to get the person to stop politely, but understand that it is not your job to deal with the person and be mindful not to start a fight.

What is IFR?

IFR stands for Instrument Flight Rules. There are different flight rules for different types of flights, with the main 2 being IFR and VFR.

Flying under IFR means that the pilot is primarily relying on instruments for navigation. This includes waypoints and other NAVAIDs (Navigational Aids), instrument approaches (i.e. ILS Approach), and radar. Aircraft under IFR can be vectored by air traffic control to keep them clear of weather, keep them safe from terrain or traffic, or to guide them to their final approach. Pilots under IFR are required to stick to their route and ATC vectors throughout their flight.

What is VFR?

VFR stands for Visual Flight Rules and is the other major flight rule that flights operate under.

As the name implies, pilots primarily rely more on their vision for navigation and safety. These flight rules give pilots more freedom in how they navigate, but also place the burden of separation more on the pilot. Pilots are responsible for keeping clear of terrain and looking out for other aircraft, with some ATC assistance. Under VFR, instrument procedures like ILS approaches or SIDs and STARs may not be used.

If you fly VFR, make sure you're familiar with the traffic pattern!

What is a SID?

SID is an abbreviation for Standard Instrument Departure. It is a charted departure procedure used by IFR aircraft that guides the aircraft on a certain path connecting them to the rest of their route (The point at which aircraft "transition" from the SID to their route is called the transition waypoint).

SIDs are used to maintain an efficient traffic flow of departing traffic, keep aircraft clear of terrain, and to keep arriving and departing aircraft from conflicting.

What is a STAR?

STAR is an abbreviation for Standard Terminal Arrival Route (and no, it is not a star in the sky). STARs are charted arrival procedures that guide aircraft from their route towards their final approach. STARs may also contain altitude restrictions that can guide an aircraft's descent.

STARs can sometimes be thought of as the opposite of SIDs since they serve the same purpose as SIDs (maintaining an efficient traffic flow, keeping clear of terrain, and preventing conflict), but are used for arriving aircraft instead. Also, instead of ending with a transition waypoint, the transition waypoint for STARs is the point where aircraft switch from flying their route to joining the STAR.

What is a transition waypoint?

In the context of a SID, the transition waypoint is where you transition from the SID to the rest of your flight plan route. In simpler terms, it's where you exit the SID and continue on the rest of your flight plan.

In the context of a STAR, it's simply the opposite. It's the waypoint where you transition from your flight plan route to the STAR. Basically, it's where you enter the STAR.

What is the ILS?

ILS stands for Instrument Landing System. It is a system used by IFR aircraft which helps guide pilots on their final approach to line up with the runway. It is comprised of the localizer, which helps aircraft line up laterally with the centerline of the runway, and the glideslope, which helps aircraft "line up" vertically and descend to the runway.

The ILS is usually a very helpful tool for lining up your final approach for any IFR flight, but it can be especially helpful when visibility is lower and the runway isn't visible.

What do I do when there are no ATC online?

When flying on the private server and no ATC are online, you should stay on the UNICOM frequency, 122.8.

When on this frequency, advise other pilots of your actions (i.e. takeoff or landing) and be sure to include where you are (i.e. "Tophon traffic, (callsign) taking off Runway 27R, Tophon").

What is the speed restriction below 10,000 feet?

250 knots. (You don't have to find a way to paraphrase this answer XD)

What is the VFR traffic pattern?

The traffic pattern is a circuit around a specified runway which VFR aircraft fly in when arriving into, flying around, or departing an airport. A left-hand traffic pattern means the turn to each leg is a left turn, and the circuit is on the left of the runway. A right-hand traffic pattern is simply the opposite. Entry to the traffic pattern (from another airport) is usually on the downwind leg (depicted below) and pilots should fly accordingly, but aircraft do not necessarily HAVE to enter the pattern there.

The five legs are, in order from takeoff: Upwind, Crosswind, Downwind, Base, and Final.

The most commonly used legs in communication with ATC are downwind and final, though the base leg is also used. The traffic pattern is depicted below.