Air Traffic Control for a Larf

It’s not often that I find something on the ol’ Net of Webs that surprises me, but VATSIM did. The Virtual Air Traffic Simulation Network is exactly what it sounds like: aviation enthusiasts flying various simulated craft to various simulated destinations, all in the shepherding embrace of those who play air traffic controllers.

The Virtual Air Traffic Simulation Network, known as VATSIM.net or "VATSIM" was created in 2001 by a group of individuals who came together with a goal of creating an organization which truly served the needs of the flight simulation and online air traffic control community. With an eye towards more than just providing a network of computers for users to log into, VATSIM is an online community where people can learn and, at the same time, enjoy the pastimes of flight simulation and air traffic control simulation all while making new friends from all over the world.

TerraNova is most intrigued by those who play air traffic controllers, noting that at the time of writing, there were 25 pilots online and 4 ATCs just in e-Oakland (e-CA, e-USA), a single hub of the VATSIM network.

Far be it from me to poo-poo the harmless entertainments of others, but I must ask: why not sleek spaceships? Why not multi-headed, pitch-belching dragons? Why Oakland, California, and not Titan, Saturn?

The answer is self-evident, really: they just want to fly planes. But the very banality of it is intensely curious to me.

Here’s the first official video for Oakland, but be warned: there be Coldplay afoot.

VATSIM Official Homepage