As a existing VATSIM pilot on holiday, the next closest mobile sim would probably be Infinite Flight. I feel that VATSIM pilots with say X hours flying time in VATSIM should have a reduced grading requirement for Grade 3 to get into the Expert server.
If you’re just starting IF like me, and already have extensive knowledge I feel we shouldn’t need 100 landings to get Grade 3, instead a lower requirement of maybe 50 landings.
And to qualify for it probably 100+ hours flying time on VATSIM or P1/2 pilot rating (for hours theres a vatsim stats website)
just an idea cause again 100 landings is a bit excessive for people with already extremely good knowledge in aviation
Rather unecessary to be fair. 100 landings isn’t hard to get, just hop on a multi-runway airport on Casual Server and farm landings there. Plus, how would we be able to tell you’re a VATSIM pilot to begin with?
If some people (like me) can keep their landings at over 180 every 90 days, you surely can get 100 permanent landings.
Well Vatsim is a separate thing all together…so that probably holds no value here. It’s good that you have “experience” but Infinite Flight has its own grading system for a reason.
fair, but as someone who likes long haul, and doesnt really want to keep on taking off and landing every half minute its just a bit annoying to be in “less realistic” servers
Then an argument could be made that if you want to take off and land as little as possible, then the less realistic servers should annoy you less, because it’s not like someone’s just going to keep following you for hours on end for no reason. Generally, the “action” is near the major hubs (EGLL, KLAX, KJFK and OMDB).
I recommend XCub at Denver International. I just do laps and am able to land on every single runway there in one pass-through. Yes, grinding the landings takes a bit of effort and dedication, but 100 landings is nothing, compared to the amounts you need for Grades 4/5
I personally thing 100 landings are ideal in order to get access to the expert server. You might think its much because as you said, you are coming from a way more complex sim with amazing experience… but bare in mind that infinite flight is a mobile sim. A mobile sim that only requires a good device with a good internet connection to get you started and running.
Most of the pilots here are new and still learning how to fly even with how simple this sim is… as an air traffic controller for both local and radar on the expert server, i can ensure you that not everyone is as good as on VATSIM both with flying their aircraft and their ability to communicate with ATC. It is rather easy to farm landings hence why we have some pretty unexperinced pilots on the expert server.
That’s probably why the landing count required in order to reach the expert server is slighty high. Again, this game is mostly used by users who are most likely new to flying aircrafts and most of them are just learning. It is better for them to learn on either the casual or the training server first before they begin their journey on the expert server and be unprofessional.
I hope you have understood and if you have any more questions feel free to ask!
I don‘t think VATSIM Pilots should get reduced requirements for Grade 3, since flying a PC sim with a joystick is different from flying a mobile sim. The PC sim is obviously more detailed and simulates WAY more than Infinite Flight. Flying and talking to ATC in IF is slightly different than in PC sims. In a Mobile Sim, not everything is simulated as realistically as in PC sims, therefore you will have to get used to Infinite Flight, just as any other Pilot starting out on IF. Sure, you have an advantage when it comes to general knowledge about planes and ATC communication, but that doesn’t automatically mean that you will have an easier time getting used to IF flying than other people. Just wanted to talk abt this because I found your post very interesting. Edit: Also, just the amount of non-experienced pilots on the expert server shows, that getting 100 landings is an easy and fast process. You can go to airports with multiple runways and just farm landings in a prop plane. I would even say some other Grade 3 requirements like flight time or XP should be higher, in order to make the Expert server more professional. Also, Welcome to the IF community!
I agree that existing VATSIM pilots with significant experience should have a pathway to Grade 3 in Infinite Flight that reflects their knowledge and skills. Reducing the landing requirement for those with extensive flight time and ratings on VATSIM could be a fair approach. It would acknowledge their existing expertise while making it more accessible to those with proven aviation skills. This could help bridge the gap for experienced pilots transitioning to Infinite Flight.