ATC Advice

[Nigel H-J]

Hi chaps, I am looking ahead to when I eventually get onto the internet at home and one option that is high on my list is a better ATC than the FSX default one although having updated it through Edit Voicepack it is by far much better than it was, but on some IFR Flights I am having to constantly change headings which can be a bit of a pain in the neck.

Having looked at some of the alternatives I have come to the sad decision of wanting to actually speak to ATC rather than just relying on selecting requests from a numbered menu. Having looked around I know many say that Radar Contact is very good but unfortunately it does not cover VFR flights and is now by all accounts quite dated.

Can anyone who uses either of the following let me know what they think?

I was able to download the trial version of Pilot2ATC but as soon as I clicked on the start trial you have to be online for it to start. http://pilot2atc.com/

I have had a look at VOX ATC but not sure after having read one thread from AVSIM Forum whether or not VOX ATC is still offering support, registration etc or is it now on a slippery downhill slope? http://www.avsim.com/topic/490255-regis ... h-install/

Another ATC but still not able to download a trial version is PF3 http://www.oncourse-software.co.uk/pf3_details.htm

ProATC think this operates through menu numbers instead of speech. http://www.pointsoftware.de/proatcx_e/index.html

Any help or advice greatly appreciated and have I missed out any ATC software? not interested in using VATSIM.

Regards
Nigel.

[Vc Ten]

In a similar quandary myself Nigel I've looked at all of the atc addons you have listed and none have given me confidence that I would get much more realisim than the default or that the addon will work with my ai aircraft which flight planner to use etc etc
Most virtual airlines insist in flying online I know ours doesn't, but if I jump ship at some stage I thought it might be a good idea to try it out. I joined IVAO a few months ago. It was a toss up with those, or Vatsim. Better European coverage swayed it. After setting it all up, buying a headset etc, I've been flying online for a few weeks now.
Plusses are Its very realistic when you have full atc coverage during your flight. Its very satisfying being vectored and correctly spaced with other pilots to a successful landing
It makes you use correct flight plans and real world procedures This could be seen as a downside if charts aren't available although they all are. Its probably best to have upgraded airports which correspond to the charts another possible downside as that will limit where you fly to / from
Training is encouraged to help you get it right, again its great when you do. I guess it would help in real world flying with procedures and phraseology
Downsides are, Its crap if there is no atc cover where you are flying to / from
You can't use ai traffic. they get in the way of other online a/c and would no doubt cause confusion especially on the ground or during an approach. You can see the other online pilots but, as above, if no one else is flying in your area you are on your own.

Because of this it means altering your use of the sim. Time of day. Evening or weekend is obviously best for more online users. Places you fly to from. Some airports or control centres are better served than others
You need to be at the computer all the time. Ok if you have online company, but boring if not. However Atc could go online in the area you are flying through at any time, and would expect you to respond. So no more 3 or 4 hr flights on autopilot, letting the pc get on with it while watching the telly downstairs.

Overall I'm not sure if online is right for me. You cant get more realism than talking to a real person pretending to be atc ( and doing a good job at it) But I like the routes I fly, times I fly, even not bothering with charts etc if I just want a quick va flight
Doesn't really help you with finding an atc addon though does it
Atb
Dale

[blanston12]

I will be interested to see what you find out. I have looked for ATC software that could be used 'offline', but did not get very far. I personally don't mind responding to ATC using the menu but would prefer more realistic options and would really like to get regional accents when flying around the world.

Even the default ATC will get upset with you if you try to do an IFR flight and don't respond to them in time, my favorite trick is once I am at my target altitude, the next time they order you to switch to a new controller is to respond but to not contact the next controller until you're within 150 miles of your destination.

[Vc Ten]

Yeah Joe that's just about the same as I do
I would like ATC that preferably was voice driven
I could use WOIA and that it would interact with it
I could use my own weather engine WX lite at the moment
I could use sids stars or not if I wanted
Use any planner preferably fsx default
Would give me destination apt atis info to assist in route planning
I could go on
Atb
Dale

[SkippyBing]

I'd like ATC that would let me declare an emergency when I've done something stupid!

[Nigel H-J]

Hi Dale and many thnaks for such an indepth review, I had read about these on-line ATC's but somehow I seem reluctant to want to try it out for some reason. Don't think I will get very far in my quest for an interactive ATC until such time as I am able to connect to the internet, at one time you could obtain a demo of Radar Contact but that is now not the case for some reason or other but do know from reading some write-ups that you can declare an emergency and they also have regional accents but as there is no demo I don't want to part with cash unless I am absolutely sure that i would be happy with it.

Guess I will have to wait!

Regards
Nigel.

[Vc Ten]

Just completed an online flight for the va from lipz to Manchester atc coverage for most of the way making it an interesting but more difficult flight. I came off the pc with my head mashed London controller wanted me to fly into egcc using waypoints and star approach. Bit difficult in 1-11 with only vor. I Asked for vor and vectors and these were given no problems. Descended and vectored exactly onto ils. Changed over to ground when cleared of runway, and ground controller gave me gate 16 I bought Manchester extreme the other week and it matches well with the rw charts so finding my way to the gate was ok until I found an aircraft parked in my spec Turned out it was a static one that comes with the airport. I thought I had got rid of them in the options, so I had to ask the controller if it was an online flyer or not
Atb
Dale

[adysmith]

If you are flying with on line ATC you will be expected to be able to follow SIDs and STARs accurately, as per current RW operations.

For "old school" aircraft such as we use the realistic options for that are probably either FS Commander or FS Tramp.

I stopped on line ATC flying some years ago as I got fed up with idiots who thought they knew what they were doing!

[Nigel H-J]

I stopped on line ATC flying some years ago as I got fed up with idiots who thought they knew what they were doing!

Think that is one reason why I am unsure of using on-line ATC with having serious hearing problems.....
they may take me for an idiot!!

Regards
Nigel.