I wish to try and document the general issues and concerns regarding ATC and how it is implemented in all flight simulation
packages. To say the least, new flight simulation enthusiasts determine very quickly that all simulator ATC, as the sim comes out
of the box, leaves allot to be desired. it is not a criticism to point out that none of them are stellar in how ATC was implemented.
The simulator's developer concentrated on the mechanics of the airplane and how that flies. In early development of the original
Microsoft Flight Simulator (MSFS), you flew a Cessna 172 around Meigs Field on the Chicago shore line, with about a 100 NM radius
for a world. Unfortunately, as the aircraft and world got bigger, the ATC was left pretty much as it initially existed in the late
1970's. To say the least, Meigs no longer exists and ATC was eclipsed by the scenery and aircraft updates. It just didn't get any
attention.
For that person who may be trying to make a determination which simulator is best; ATC should not be used as a criteria. All of them
are not anywhere close to be able to provide a "realistic ATC experience" as the come newly installed. To approach anything close to
a realistic ATC experience, one will need to look elsewhere for that ATC adrenalin rush. You will either end up flying on one of the
on-line ATC services, VATSIM or IVAO, installing a third party add-on to enhance the simulator's ATC, continuing on with the default
ATC, or completely shutting down the ATC and flying without it.
There is no perfect solution that fits everyone's needs or wants in this area. The usual process is to identify that the default ATC is
bad, continue flying with it until you become frustrated with the poor ATC and then settle on one of the options highlighted above.
WestWind has pilots who are flying with all of the options highlighted above and are perfectly happy with it. The key to dealing with
the ATC is to determine what will make you happy, ask questions of other pilots on the forum and make an informed decision about
what to do.
Default ATC will not permit you to fly a Standard Instrument Departure (SID) or a Standard Terminal Arrival Route (STAR). Departures
and arrivals into all airports are where ever the computer will send you. While intriguing to begin with, the intrigue does ware off
quickly. The airline is neutral on the way you depart and approach an airport. We would hope that you would strive to conduct all
flights in a close to the real way as you can possible get. But, we also recognize that everyone's simulator situation is different and
that not everyone can afford to or wishes to spend upgrade or addon money on ATC functions.
The ATC subject has many different facets. My goal was to highlight general ATC functionality in all of them. Save to say that getting
a simulator to be a "real airplane on your desk" is a labor of love, but well worth the journey of research and exploration. I hope that
this article will be helpful to the pilot seeking to understand how our flight simulators work.
