Hi mates, years I’m flying in IF, hundreds of hours. But, I wanted to become an atc in expert server, particularly in events and such. But… How do I even start? I never really had a busy or long sessions as an atc in IF
What are your tips?
Hey!
Nobody starts from 100, so don’t worry about being a bit lost there with not much knowledge. You mentioned you have hundreds of hours, and that is already a good starting point, actually. The first thing would be being aware of the Expert Server rules and environment in general, as it would be a bit hard to be a controller without any knowledge of that server, of course.
Then, the next step would be to be mentally ready and prepared. Surely, it’s nothing impossible, but considering this is a game/simulator, this is an extra/additional experience which requires more time and effort rather than simply sitting down and starting to play. The entire preparation, recruitment process and time in IFATC will not be the easiest thing ever, so just know to be ready. But again, it’s not impossible at all, and with the right mindset and effort, you can do it.
Given where you are right now, I highly suggest reading the ATC Manual from Sections 1 to 5 (Section 6 is about Radar, which will not be necessary for you as a new controller). Take your time with it, as it could be a hard and long read at the start. But if you merge this learning with in-app practice ATC sessions, while practising frequently, you will soon start to get the most out of it and make it a habit = everything will seem easier.
Don’t worry about “busy and long ATC sessions”. Those are not what make you an IFATC controller, nor are they even performed at the start of your journey. Your practising and testing phases will usually have no more than 6 to 10 planes, and upon joining IFATC, there is a rank system (closely monitored by IFATC Supervisors) which is meant for you to climb the ladder and gradually get experience with traffic getting more and more. However, and this is very important, controlling busy airports does not necessarily make you a good IFATC controller, and this is something I often say to newer IFATC members. A good IFATC controller knows their limits, learns from their previous mistakes, builds experience gradually, and is a professional member in general. It is also not a requirement to always open the busiest airport, and that depends on each member’s preferences.
At IFATC, there are several ways for you to contribute positively and be a good member. Opening an airport with 100 close inbounds and then getting overwhelmed within minutes doesn’t show you are the perfect controller. Quite the opposite, actually. Quality above quantity at all times.
Take your time now and start learning and practising. Then, check the IFATC Recruiting topic and make sure you fulfil all requirements. Once you’re fully ready, hit the join button and follow the entire recruitment process (which consists of a written and practical test, assigned by your recruiter). Although this is a long message, I might’ve missed some details here and there, so don’t hesitate to ask me or any other member of the community for help. Asking questions is always a good and positive thing.
Good luck, and hope to see you soon there! 
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Honestly, I thought about picking a certain ATC position, and become extremely experienced in it, rather than being once a ground, once a tower, etc. I’m thinking about focusing on FIRs instead and training myself to be able to work with a few FIRs at the same time, and guide flights through airspace, descenting and departing ones, rather than getting a swarm of arrivals from another FIR controller and me having to squeeze them between tower and FIR atc.
What you think? If so, which manuals I should read for that?
Unfortunately, that will not be possible yet for you. To control FIRs/Centre frequencies, you will need to become an IFATC Officer. Eligibility to apply as an IFATC Officer starts after 60 days as an IFATC Specialist (which is the 2nd rank you’ll receive after Apprentice; the latter is the one you are at when you join). Additionally, there are a few other requirements, such as an operations number (2000) and training sessions attended (10; this is something you can exclusively do as an IFATC member, unlike operations, which are something everyone can have).
Furthermore, the process to become an IFATC Officer is harder than just becoming IFATC. In addition to the various requirements, you’ll need to complete a written test first, then perform some official training, and finally complete another practical test. The (mandatory) training phase is the hardest and longest because, up until that moment, you would have controlled Ground and Tower only, and Radar (Approach, Departure and Centre) differs quite a bit. Additionally, your radar training sessions will not be as easy because you will need continued planning at not-so-standard/straightforward airports.
If you decide to join IFATC now, upon completing the recruitment and testing phases, you will be an IFATC Apprentice, which is an initial and quite brief phase. Subsequently, you’ll become an IFATC Specialist, and during the time with both of these ranks, you can control Ground and Tower only, gradually building your experience and understanding how the IFATC team works as a whole. Becoming an IFATC Officer, which seems to be your main interest given your preferences, isn’t mandatory and will require good knowledge of IFATC, professionalism, activity, and being ready to dedicate more time and energy to that lengthy (yet rewarding, if you’re truly interested in that) process 
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Well, I don’t think im capable of ground and tower, because they are really annoying me, making me upset and just break me easily, because atleast on training server, not many pilots really listen - and those that do, end up with a bunch of other pilots that do whatever they want, endanger everyone in the airspace /airport… I just don’t really know if im capable of being a ground and tower, at the standard IFATC wants. But FIR, approach and departure, I do have a lot of experience outside IF, and getting more in IF itself too…
I’m not sure what to do anymore:(
As Jinco said, getting approach/centre or all radar frequencies requires Officer rank. But let me assure you, pilots on Expert Server are completely different, compared to the training server and they will listen to you.
So your best course of action, is to apply for IFATC first of all, get trained with an official trainer within IFATC or in @ATCMentorshipHub for local controlling, pass your local test, wait 60days and then you can apply for radar controller!
This is not a fast process, but I can assure you, for a person like you, with a passion, I can, not fully relate, but also we need to understand that there is a set process for those things and there are so, so many people, in fact, everyone in IFATC, that will be really happy to help you achieve your dream of ES radar controlling!
Feel free to Message me for more details or respond here!
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I started by watching event recordings to learn ATC flows. For a deeper grasp of pilot communication, I used commercial flight pilot training to see the other side. That perspective really helped me anticipate what controllers need to say.