vatsim,

[dkluempers]

Just to clarify. The following is directly from the VATSIM Code of Conduct, Section B Pilot's Conduct:

8. Pilots are permitted to declare in-flight emergencies. If, for any reason, air
traffic control requests the pilot to terminate the emergency, then the pilot
must do so IMMEDIATELY or log off of VATSIM. Pilots are not
permitted to simulate, in any manner, an unlawful act while logged onto
the VATSIM.net network including, but not limited to, declaring a hijack
by statement utilizing either voice or text or by entering a transponder
code of 7500.

Emergencies are not addressed in Section C Controller's Conduct except in references to the Guard frequency use. As section C is
silent as to any requirements for handling emergencies there can be no inference that a controller is required to handle an emergency.

That said I think most controllers enjoy the opportunity to handle an emergency now and then. When I trained as a controller my
instructors/mentors made sure I learned how to handle them. While I have not seen abuse during my time as controller I think it was
wise to add this section to allow controllers some discretion when needed.

While I have a bias toward VATSIM I have heard from a number of people who think very highly of IVAO. I encourage any new user to
online flight simulation to give them both a try and see which envirionment they prefer. We are all very fortunate to have the benefit of
some great free networks and some really awesome software to use in simulating both flying and controlling. I only wished I had these
things when I started my flight trainging back in 1977.