HiI'm getting a bit impatient waiting for Radar Contact version 5, its been in the pipeline now for years.I fly mainly in the UK and both VFR and IFR, what has put me off VoxATC before are the scripted readbacks.I need some advice please from users that have both Radar Contact and VoxATC - is this program a must have or should I wait for RC 5 ??Glen

Haven't you tried PFE??vololiberista

I fly mainly in the UK and both VFR and IFR, what has put me off VoxATC before are the scripted readbacks.I need some advice please from users that have both Radar Contact and VoxATC - is this program a must have or should I wait for RC 5 ??

Glen,Not knowing what will be in RC 5, I don't see how that question can be properly answered. When RC 5 is out, I'll look at it and judge. Until then I'm totally happy with Vox after having been a heavy Radar Contact 4.3 user. (But that's me.)Out of curiosity, if you don't like VoxATC for scripted readbacks then how do you feel about FSX or RC 4.3's "press 1, press 2, press 3" approach?Turning 90 degrees, have you tried Multi Crew Experience? It offers a voice interface to FSX ATC and Radar Contact ATC. From what I've read in their documents, the "voice command structure" appears somewhat flexible. (Your mileage may vary of course.) Like VoxATC it has a full-featured time-limited trial so you can get your feet wet without worrying about purchasing a lemon... or mixing obscure metaphors.

Haven't you tried PFE??

This is another possible option. There appears to be lots of satisfied users of PFE out there. (I simply haven't tried it yet.)

Many thanks guys for your advice.I am not too bothered about using voice to contact ATC, I'm just looking for a more realistic ATC, especially for European airspace. I do go online with Vatsim, but the stations are mainly manned between 19:00 to 22:00 in the evenings which is not always convenient for me, hence the need for a software based ATC.I did try a trial version of VoxATC some time ago but my computer had a major problem and by the time it was sorted my free trial period was over - typical !!If ATC gives me intelligent instructions I have no problem pressing buttons, as in Radar Contact, but I find it very 'Americanised' for flying in the UK, especially VFR.Glen

Many thanks guys for your advice.I am not too bothered about using voice to contact ATC, I'm just looking for a more realistic ATC, especially for European airspace. I do go online with Vatsim, but the stations are mainly manned between 19:00 to 22:00 in the evenings which is not always convenient for me, hence the need for a software based ATC.I did try a trial version of VoxATC some time ago but my computer had a major problem and by the time it was sorted my free trial period was over - typical !!If ATC gives me intelligent instructions I have no problem pressing buttons, as in Radar Contact, but I find it very 'Americanised' for flying in the UK, especially VFR.Glen

Then I think PFE will do for you. It has regional accents which "don't" sound like a computer as in RC4 and it handles all AI in the same manner. Also for large airports your PO will be able to direct you along the taxiways. It's a steep learning curve but once you are used to it it's probably the best option available.vololiberista

vololiberista Sounds interesting, but is it one of these programs that you have to enter lots of info before it works or is it just importing a flight plan.Glen

vololiberista Sounds interesting, but is it one of these programs that you have to enter lots of info before it works or is it just importing a flight plan.Glen

No it's not "just" importing a flight plan. You have many options besides. But once you have set those options for each new flight plan you simply call the flight plan up each time you want to fly. Simple really. You can set your sids' star's and even oceanic routes. vololiberista

OK, many thanks :( Glen

I tried PFE about 2 months ago when I was reviewing what product I should go for to replace the FSX ATCit is far worse then VoxATC on few notes that broke me from using it (RC I have not tried)1) you must file a SID/STAR in your flight plan (you loose the dynamic of an ATC assigning you one)2) you need to file a dedicated PFE flight plan, unlike VoxATC that reads your FSX flight plan, which I liked since I use vroute.info Premium and I can easily export the flight plan to FSX and just import it before I fly3 )it doesn't use any AIRAC data4) you loose granularity of voices packs (e.g. IVONA) you could add and improve your ATC, you are stuck with what they got , even though they have many accents, yet I still find it hard to understand and a bit robotic IMO5) and the worse part is that it dosn't control AI traffic , only controls you taking in consideration other traffic, you hear the AI traffic talk to the MSFS ATC in the background (hated it, it's like having two ATCs - one for you and the other for AI)VoxATC was the true winner for me (I even haven't waited for the trail to run out and I got it on the 4th day as I was so happy with it compared to PFE, RC don't have trail versions, or at least I couldn't find any)VoxATC is not a perfect one, but it is sure provided me almost everything I was looking for. I am very happy I went with VoxATC for the following reasons (I mainly do IFR flight, VFR flights have other options that I did not mention here as I haven't tested them)1) it supports and control UT2 AI traffic which I own (or any other BGL AI traffic based)2) It reads the standard FSX flight plan (which most of flight plan tools out there Free or not support exporting to that format)3) you don't need to load a flight plan to the VoxATC, nothing. all I need to do is load the flight plan in FSX as you would do if you would use the regular FSX ATC (VoxATC would read it automatically)4) It fully support REX or any other weather program you got (as it reads the actual weather that is in the FSX regardless on how it got there)5) ATIS is replaced by the VoxATC (others also do it I guess)7) it support Holding, route divination to avaiod traffic or weather and fist officer to handle COMMs (I personally disabled the two later ones)8) you don't need to pick or file in the flight plan any SID/STAR as the VoxATC would know to assign you one based on the RW in use and the flight plan (that really charmed me), you do however have an option picking your own SID/STAR if you wish so, you could also ask the VoxATC to vector you to final if you don't want to use a SID/STAR.9) VoxATC as apposed to PFE & RC does use Navigraph Airac cycle (AIRAC) and could be updated like any other AIRAC product (very important)10) I find no difference to the claim of "Scripted read back" that needs to be read in VoxATC to the "Scripted on screen button" display need to be pressed (can't understand how RC/PFE would be better in that mater)11) many would say that Voice recognition (talking to the ATC) is far realistic then pressing buttons on the Menu, personal for me it was not one of my set objectives for an FSX ATC replacement program, I personally looked for a more realistic ATC then FSX ATC, rather talking to it or pressing a button on the ATC menu.

I tried PFE about 2 months ago when I was reviewing what product I should go for to replace the FSX ATCit is far worse then VoxATC on few notes that broke me from using it (RC I have not tried)1) you must file a SID/STAR in your flight plan (you loose the dynamic of an ATC assigning you one)2) you need to file a dedicated PFE flight plan, unlike VoxATC that reads your FSX flight plan, which I liked since I use vroute.info Premium and I can easily export the flight plan to FSX and just import it before I fly3 )it doesn't use any AIRAC data4) you loose granularity of voices packs (e.g. IVONA) you could add and improve your ATC, you are stuck with what they got , even though they have many accents, yet I still find it hard to understand and a bit robotic IMO5) and the worse part is that it dosn't control AI traffic , only controls you taking in consideration other traffic, you hear the AI traffic talk to the MSFS ATC in the background (hated it, it's like having two ATCs - one for you and the other for AI)

Filing a SID/STAR is optional in PFE and in no way reduces the ATC quality. A SID is entirely dependent on the route which a particular flight wishes to take and is in no way compulsory.It is therefore chosen by that flight and integrated into that flightplan. I have all the SID's STAR's already incorporated into the flight plans in PFE. Secondly I always use the latest airac cycle when compiling a new flightplan. With PFE it is actually not necessary to import the fp into the sim. It does however, allow you to either use the sim's own fp from within or an adapted fp which matches the PFE version. PFE has at least 100 voices. AI is "only" controlled by the sim. No other ATC programme can "control" AI. If AI is a real problem then use something like AI separation. The voices are most definately not robotic in PFE. and as far as real weather is concerned. I have a real weather generator programme already in touch with FSUIPC and the sim. PFE reads the weather via the sim and PFE and directs you accordingly.I have to say your "review" as you put it was not very thorough!!vololiberista

Filing a SID/STAR is optional in PFE and in no way reduces the ATC quality. A SID is entirely dependent on the route which a particular flight wishes to take and is in no way compulsory.It is therefore chosen by that flight and integrated into that flightplan. I have all the SID's STAR's already incorporated into the flight plans in PFE. Secondly I always use the latest airac cycle when compiling a new flightplan. With PFE it is actually not necessary to import the fp into the sim. It does however, allow you to either use the sim's own fp from within or an adapted fp which matches the PFE version. PFE has at least 100 voices. AI is "only" controlled by the sim. No other ATC programme can "control" AI. If AI is a real problem then use something like AI separation. The voices are most definately not robotic in PFE. and as far as real weather is concerned. I have a real weather generator programme already in touch with FSUIPC and the sim. PFE reads the weather via the sim and PFE and directs you accordingly.I have to say your "review" as you put it was not very thorough!!vololiberista

that was my point "you don't have to put SID/STAR in the flight plan" , you could if you wanted to, but you don't need to, VoxATC would calculate it and do it for you :)another point I pointed out is , I don't have to file in a PFE flight plan, I can just use the standard FSX PLN files that almost any route build program or freerouting websites (e.g. Simroute) could export, I have yet seen any routing build programs or website that support PFE flight plans export (not critical but saves some time)AI is fully controlled by VoxATC, hence it is not accurate saying "no other ATC program can control AI"in my Opinion the PFE sounds were robotic with accent(s), there are many micro breaks in their sentences between words and it was hard for me to understand them compared to VoxATC IVONA voice pack(s) I have, as I mentioned before VoxATC is very modular to what voice packs you can add to your preference.as for weather, it is probably true that RC/PFE also handle it well, I mentioned it in the VoxATC capabilities not in the PFE drawback section in my post.

Akila / vololiberistaI really appreciate your comments on both programs, you both contribute interesting points on each program.Thanks for taking the time to answer my initial query :( Glen

If ATC gives me intelligent instructions I have no problem pressing buttons, as in Radar Contact, but I find it very 'Americanised' for flying in the UK, especially VFR.

Have you tried VOX ATC with the UK expansion pack...Everything is geared towards UK phraseology and airspace and you get UK accents etc...I find it excellent....Dave

I have used PFE/Pf2000/GameCommander ever since it came out, if I remember correctly FS2000 and then upgraded with PFE. So far I would not be without it and love it. The relatively new taxi help makes it almost worth having just for that function to me. Voice recognition and communication is also a must IMHO.However, I am always open to trying new things. One question relative to "VOX-ATC": Does it have voice recognition capability?Thanks:RTH

However, I am always open to trying new things. One question relative to "VOX-ATC": Does it have voice recognition capability?Thanks:RTH

VoxATC is mainly based on Voice recognition to communicate.It uses the Windows Voice recognition Engine.It works great, never had a problem of "Not recognizing" what I speak.