I found out something interesting stuff that may be useful about the IL2 servers today.
The main company servers reach their peaks between 10 and 2 EST. (these have the small maps with icons and airstarts) They numbers start to fall off but are still decent at 5 EST.
The Combat box (the north American server) and probably one of the best servers seems to peak between 4 and 9 EST. (I'm still not solid on this one yet but I'm getting closer to figuring it out) This one is the one to check out if you want the full realism with SRS. I have noticed that the peak times seem to be much earlier in the day then I was used to with AH3.
SRS: (there are a bunch more but these are just the ones I'm familiar with.
Once you start up you contact tower on channel 2 requesting a callsign or you can request a specific callsign. I usually use Lonestar for example.
After you get your callsign you can request taxi and then takeoff. You may be told to hold if somebody has declared and an emergency.
Once you are airborn you switch to channel 1 (command) where you can request picture, co-ordinate strikes etc.
"Command, this is Yamaha Lead in grid 1015
(updates location so they can advise you on enemy aircraft and call for support if needed)
"Command, this is Uncle-3 in grid 1015, request mission."
(this will be assigned based on plane type and weapon loadout)
"Command, Maniac-Lead, strike package en route to grid 1716, ETA 5 minutes."
(this will allow command to vector fighters for cover)
"Control, this is Arrow-Lead in grid 1017, request bearing home"
(this is a big help for people like me that sometimes have the map upside down)
"Tower, Maniac-3 in grid 2417, emergency landing"
(This will deny takeoff clearance to planes taking off to clear the runway for you if needed)
Please feel free to correct anything I got wrong as I'm still learning.
