I wouldn't say "Unable" just because I couldn't do the math. Once I started down, I'd take a look at it and say something along the lines of, "It looks like we'll be unable to make XXX at ZZZ. Do you want the altitude or the airspeed?" Kyle will probably sigh and respond, "Okay, just do your best." ;)

Definitely.Unable tends to get people a bit on edge. It can come across as stubbornness in some cases. Now, generally, controllers know when they're asking for something where it places a lot of work on the pilot, or is asking the pilot to do something a little non-standard, so an 'unable' to that would be okay. Likewise, if I gave "United 962, descend and maintain 10,000 within 30 miles," and I got an unable, I'd understand, as it's an non-standard instruction, and it's awkward to comply with. On the other hand, it puts us in a bind to figure something else out, and we're not rated on every aircraft type, so we don't know what every aircraft can do.Since the pilots often know more about their aircraft than controllers, it's awesome when a pilot can come back with something useful, as Matt pointed out: "It looks like we'll be unable to make XXX at ZZZ. Do you want the altitude or the airspeed?" That way the controller knows you tried, or at least thought out your response, and are willing to help meet the end goal. ATC is run by SOPs, primarily, and if one has to bend, one has to bend. I can always point at your target on the next guy's scope and say "he'll be a little high, but he's on his way down" and the next guy can be nice about and let me off with a glare and an 'ok', or reject it and make me spin you (or give vectors).As a rule of thumb with (live) controllers, always try to offer the options. Like with that "JFK Controller has a bad day" video, a simple 'unable' might set the controller off:"You can't do anything with that plane of yours..."Try asking the controller for a favor after that. "Hey, 19R is a really long taxi for us, so can we get 19C?""Unable - traffic."(Not gonna mention 19L being open since he didn't offer me another option when I asked him for a favor)(I'm not really that ^^^ petty, but I'm just giving an example)

Before I start, I have never been a real pilot, dealt with ATC or have any real knowledge of ATC rules. I used Radar Contact for some time but found that keep getting sent away from the airport to lose altitude, only to be told to turn around to go back again annoying. I also found that I would set up a STAR on the FMC only to be vectored away from my planned route by Radar Contact. Like I said I'm no expert but I could not see that they would produce all these charts with SIDS only for ATC to keep guiding me in on a completly different route. Idid some research on the net and found ProFlight Emmulator.With ProFlight Emmulator I found that I could tell it which SID and STAR was relevant to my route to my route. During the flight the ATC would give me instructions but when it came to the SID or STAR it would just say to fly the SID or STAR. This seemed more realistic. PFE also has a lot more voices that is set up for various regions, so when flying in the UK it has British ATC, when in France they are French and so on. Add on the fact that the ATC will give taxi instructions and the co-pilot will guide you as you taxi. PFE does take more time to start than Radar Contact but I feel that if you like to fly offline PFE is the best option.

Before I start, I have never been a real pilot, dealt with ATC or have any real knowledge of ATC rules. I used Radar Contact for some time but found that keep getting sent away from the airport to lose altitude, only to be told to turn around to go back again annoying. I also found that I would set up a STAR on the FMC only to be vectored away from my planned route by Radar Contact. Like I said I'm no expert but I could not see that they would produce all these charts with SIDS only for ATC to keep guiding me in on a completly different route. Idid some research on the net and found ProFlight Emmulator.With ProFlight Emmulator I found that I could tell it which SID and STAR was relevant to my route to my route. During the flight the ATC would give me instructions but when it came to the SID or STAR it would just say to fly the SID or STAR. This seemed more realistic. PFE also has a lot more voices that is set up for various regions, so when flying in the UK it has British ATC, when in France they are French and so on. Add on the fact that the ATC will give taxi instructions and the co-pilot will guide you as you taxi. PFE does take more time to start than Radar Contact but I feel that if you like to fly offline PFE is the best option.

I tried PFE but i didn't like it cause it quite a pain to configure.I recommend that you try VoxATC, that it used the Navigraph airac, and it choose by it self witch STAR or SID or vectors to do.And above all that its controlled by voice!!!!.The only con is that it use the voice pack of windows for all the voices and if you want more you have to buy them.

Edited February 2, 201214 yr by masneoquil

I tried PFE but i didn't like it cause it quite a pain to configure.I recommend that you try VoxATC, that it used the Navigraph airac, and it choose by it self witch STAR or SID or vectors to do.And above all that its controlled by voice!!!!.The only con is that it use the voice pack of windows for all the voices and if you want more you have to buy them.

I found that when I first tried PFE but once I had set up the main parts, configuring PFE for each flight is quite simple. I figured if I could learn the how to start an aircraft from cold and dark and set up an FMC I could learn PFE.I looked at VoxATC for the reason that it used Navigraph airac but I'm not to keen on talking to the computer, my family look at me funny thinking I'm weird. I tend to get the button versions of FS2Crew for that reason. Add the fact that the voices on PFE seem more realistic. Will probably have another look when I finally get the NGX (waiting for the SDK and FS2Crew before I buy it)

On receipt of the instruction I'd immediately dial --1500 ft/min on the VS to get the aircraft going the right direction, then dial in the new altitude and hit LVL CH. At that point the FMC is relegated to a very expensive moving map generator, likely for the rest of the flight. :)Best regards,Robin.