<https://forums.vatsim.net/topic/3519-academywhat-was-the-point/#comment-21351>
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"Piloting on VATSIM is the game that is \"supposed to be fun.\" Controlling is a volunteer position to enable the fun for those playing the game. Granted, controlling can be pretty fun at times as well, but as a volunteer controller my primary goal is to enable others to have fun while flying on the network. For most pilots that means realism. And realism coming from a controller means that the controller has to know what he/she is doing (or at least SOUND like he/she knows what they are doing), and that means training.  \n  \nThe academy teaches you the basics and the ARTCC will fill in the gaps to get a solid foundation and then build off of that. Any ARTCC that does less isn't worth your time anyway. If I wanted to just get on and spout out anything I wanted, I'd be controlling on FSX's multiplayer servers...not VATSIM. \n  \nSwitching hats to a pilot perspective...there are certain ARTCCs (unnamed you'll note) that I will NOT fly in because I've had terribly unrealistic experiences with them. When I fly, I want everything to be as realistic as it can be from the startup checklist to the proper phraseology to the jetway coming to let the pax off the aircraft. If an aircraft model or panel isn't cutting it in realism, I get rid of it. If an ARTCC has proven unrealistic in their controlling/phraseology, I don't fly there. If VATSIM isn't cutting it in realism.... \n"
<https://forums.vatsim.net/topic/3519-academywhat-was-the-point/?tab=comments#comment-21335>