ZLA & ZOA

VATSIM

May 21st, 2023

16:00 - 20:00 PDT
23:00 - 03:00 GMT

More than 30

Controllers

200+ Flights

Book today!

About CalScream

Besides being online simulation's largest fly-in event, CalScream is unique because during the event, pilots and controllers re-enact the most accurate duplication of real-world flying seen. Rather than the unrealistic sight of having 300 planes in a single-file line going to one airport, where you follow one guy in front of you for 250 miles (whom you may never see), we encourage a greater mix and spread of traffic. At CalScream, pilots fly from many medium to large airports in a smaller area, to other airports in the same area. When you fly, not only are there planes in front of you, but planes crossing right to left, above and below you - and traffic coming opposite direction. ATC will have to move you several times during your flight to miss other traffic, creating a far more realistic experience.

The best part of CalScream is that for the four hours of the fly-in, we replicate virtually every flight that originates and ends in our airspace, with realistic callsigns, routes, and departure times. We've taken all of your hard work out of it - all you need to do as a pilot is decide which of the 200+ flights available at CalScream.com that you'd like to fly and sign up for them. The data we supply contains all of the information you need to complete your flight: A route, links to charts, airspace maps, callsigns, aircraft type, and most important – your departure time. On the day of the event, with charts in hand, you'll be calling clearance delivery for pushback at the same exact time as a real-world pilot calling for his... You'll be departing at the same time as your real-world counterpart, and seeing the same traffic out the window as a real airline pilot would see. This is truly as real as it gets!

The History

From the Avsim archives dated May 2001 - the original California Screamin' is announced.

Jeff Clark, Facility Chief, Los Angeles ARTCC reminds us about the California Screamin' event which is going to be on June 10th, 2001. Jeff says:

We're attempting something not done on the SATCO network before, which is to recreate as many real world flights, using real world routes, on real world schedules, in a small area of airspace, which we think will provide a great experience for online pilots.

For those of you who don't know, Los Angeles and Oakland Centers are putting together a massive fly-in event with a difference: Instead of everyone flying into one airport in a boring single-file line, they’re duplicating real-world flights inside a compact and crowded area (California), to replicate as closely as possible, what the skies would look like at that precise time in the real world.

As you're taking off from Las Vegas on your way to San Francisco, you'll be following planes bound for different California airports. On your climb-out, you’ll see planes heading back in to Las Vegas from many other fields. There will be cross traffic off your left and right, practically everywhere you look.

Jeff continues,

The number of ATC facilities staffed will be among the highest you've ever seen on SATCO. We are planning on opening over 25 positions in our airspace to handle the anticipated crunch and make sure it all flows smoothly. This means an even more realistic experience for you, and ensures that there won’t be any logjams of planes trying to get in or out of a particular airport.

Come to the ZLA website and pick several legs to fly (most pilots are signing up for 3-4!), and feel what it’s like to have a schedule to meet, just like the big boys! If you book now, you’ll get your choice of the best (and most interesting) routes.

Previous CalScream Events

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