I believe any packaged ATC whether it be FSX or and addon is unrealistic and does not emulate what goes on in real world (RW) ATC which uses subjective judgment to determine some operations. If you looked at the Enroute IFR charts and approach plates your would think the world of ATC is an exact science and does not involve any judgments that might be subjective.  I would like to site three examples to help explain.

1. KLAX has four parallel runways that have a heading of about 250/070 degrees. FSX determines which runway to use based upon wind direction. In this case the dividing line between a headwind and tailwind is 160 degrees. With a wind direction higher than 160 FSX would direct planes to land on 24L, 24L, 24L, and 27R. Lower than 160 planes would be told OIL, OR, I7, and 27R were the active runways. At 160 degrees FSX would choose the default runways which are to the north or east. At KLAX the default runways are to the east. KLAX does not operate this way. Due to noise abatement procedures KLAX will stay in a west operation even if planes are taking of and landing with a tailwind. It would require a strong tailwind for KLAX to shift to an east operation. Plus planes that are on the runway, the hold short position or taxing from the gate to the takeoff runway would need to be redirected to the other end of the airport. Not to mention planes on final, initial approach, and STARS would have to be accounted for. So to change the direction of operation of KLAX is a decision not to be taken lightly But FSX will change it for a one or two degree change in wind direction. Give me a break. This is simply not real.

2. KJFK has four runways. Two that that are parallel and run NW/SE and two parallel NE/SW. Several weeks ago I was listening to RW ATC for the CAMRN Approach Control. Because of the time of day (1400Z) they were landing on 31L, 04R, and 04L. Is there any addon ATC which could duplicate this situation?

3. KTPA had two parallel N/S runways. FSX and addon ATC will use both runways for north operations. That's fine for takeoffs. However only 01L is used for airliners. 01R is seldom used and then only for GA aircraft. Why? The approach path for 01R passes over Davis Island which is a very exclusive residential area and is home to some Tampa's movers and shakers and they don't want to listen to jets a thousand feet above their heads even if is only a landing as opposed to a takeoff. Does FSX and addon ATC know this?

I am certain that a lot airports in the thousands that FSX depicts has these special type of circumstances. Could a addon be created to take all this into account? Probably. Could we afford it? No! Well maybe we could if we were billionaires.

Michael Cubine