boeing247 wrote on Jul 28^th, 2011 at 4:51am:


They are a lot more realistic than FSX ATC. But I just don't care for the computer generated voices. Here's a link to a 20 part video of a Delta MD-11 flight from KBOS to KATL. http://www.youtube.com/user/cobrakev1526. Starting at the third or fourth video listen to the transmissions between ATC and the FO. They are sick.

Michael Cubine

Cancel IFR, squwak 1200, frequency changed approved!

Quote:

Haha, nice moment for the ATC then.

You can fly online to argue with some fellows.   But these are rare events, I personally never had one being related to my clumsy sky work, but the forums sometimes give a sort of 'feedback', which then tells some stories.
But there isn't more than some typical human interaction going on which of course can include some screaming. 

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

Markoz wrote on Jul 28^th, 2011 at 8:22am:


way off topic, but I read that he chose the 767, so to continue...

I also was quite annoyed with FSX ATC but I figured out how to make it work with IFR and them cancelling you after you've missed a frequency change.

the trick with that, if you haven't given up on it yet, is to wait for them to give you one(freq.change)...confirm it, tune to next freq. if you want but DO NOT contact. Then go to sleep or whatever on long haul IFR flights...then when you are close, T/D or whenever, you pull up ATC window and you will have closest center to contact letting you complete IFR flight without getting canned

FSX ATC is what it is, just like the rest of the program, needs help to make it what it could be. I have an old rig and just try to make due with what I have so at the moment I still use FSX ATC. To me it's better than nothing.

Any time I take a flight somewhere IRL I listen to the cockpit communications with ATC if it's available. I could see making a mission that could give you a more realistic simulation with real world ATC recordings but it would be a huge undertaking to do FSX ATC over again and do it right.

For myself, I only can fly using IFR, if I use VFR, I cannot communicate with ATC.

GO WITH THE 767!!!