Ive been debating this for awhile now....Do I turn on the AI traffic or not? I finally have a rig where with Ultimate Traffic 2 it doesnt hurt to have AI on at 100 percent. But having the extra fps is nice if AI is off. Plus there is the fact that AI just seems to keep the ATC super busy and not able to keep up with my flight when time comes i need finals and such. Im seriously thinking of getting Radar Contact soon just so i can ditch the FSX ATC altogether. And yes i know of VATSIM and while that does have its advantages (and disadvantages), that particular option just doesnt sound like my cup of tea.

 

So how do you guys fly? AI on or off? Do you use the FSX atc or another option?

AI on. Always. Lots of variety, and my levels are set realistically, without over taxing the ATC or the frames. Took a while to strike a balance, but I can't fly in an empty sky/ empty airport sim....

 

 

...and default ATC, and vatsim from time to time but not too often. If I want to have realistic ATC, I go to my local airfield and rent a Cirrus and go fly. Which, incidentally, also offers me really good AI.

If I want to have realistic ATC, I go to my local airfield and rent a Cirrus and go fly. Which, incidentally, also offers me really good AI

 

always the best option!

I use the old version of Ultimate Traffic for FSX and Radar Contact. I'm not bothered if my AI airliners have old liveries and are not flying up to the minute schedules, since they just provide something for ATC to talk to and give the airports a bit of life.

 

Al

I have a love hate relationship with AI.. I love it for approaches and take offs as it adds atmosphere but hate it for the awful ATC. "Piper Cub ------- Please Expedite Your Decent to 9,000...." Repeat 2000x until you scramble for the mouse to mute the comm radios... Just depends on the mood I'm in..

Ive been debating this for awhile now....Do I turn on the AI traffic or not? I finally have a rig where with Ultimate Traffic 2 it doesnt hurt to have AI on at 100 percent. But having the extra fps is nice if AI is off. Plus there is the fact that AI just seems to keep the ATC super busy and not able to keep up with my flight when time comes i need finals and such. Im seriously thinking of getting Radar Contact soon just so i can ditch the FSX ATC altogether. And yes i know of VATSIM and while that does have its advantages (and disadvantages), that particular option just doesnt sound like my cup of tea.

 

So how do you guys fly? AI on or off? Do you use the FSX atc or another option?

 

Well JD, you could always do this to have the best of both worlds. If you enjoy having AI but dont want to take the extra FPS hit while on final as well as dealing with AI seperation issues, you could always use the UT2 hotkeys to quickly shut off traffic while on approach then once you land hit the hot key to quickly make it reappear, that way your approach will be clear and you'll get the extra FPS but still have an active environment when on the ground. I've done this on occasion when I dont feel like zapping AI in front of me or just wanted to gain a few FPS while on approach to a mega hub like KJFK.

 

For those using .bgl based traffic like MTX or WOAI and have a registered copy of FSUIPC, you can assign a hot key to the "Traffic Zapper" to make it quickly disappear on final and then hit the same key to make it reappear while on the ground.

I have my traffic x interested to hear about the traffic zapper with FSUIPC could you explain how it's done please?

 

When mapping a key or joystick/yoke button, just choose 'traffic density toggle' as the target action, then pressing that key/button will toggle AI on/off.

I have a love hate relationship with AI.. I love it for approaches and take offs as it adds atmosphere but hate it for the awful ATC. "Piper Cub ------- Please Expedite Your Decent to 9,000...." Repeat 2000x until you scramble for the mouse to mute the comm radios... Just depends on the mood I'm in..

 

I agree that your example is annoying, but it isn't the worst.....

 

How about this one?

 

"Thomson 4371 hold position, caution the Citation on the taxiway"

"Thomson 4371, continue taxi"

"Thomson 4371 hold position, caution the Citation on the taxiway"

"Thomson 4371, continue taxi"

 

Now repeat that a hundred times, over and over and sodding well over again whilst waiting in line.....until I enter the wonderful world of "contact tower for take off" land.

I turn traffic off in FSX. Otherwise when I hit an area like Southern California or NY/NJ with a lot of big airports, my FPS plummet. When I want AI traffic I go back to FS9.

 

I miss it when taxiing on the ground, but it is nice to make approaches without the AI trying to kill me. I can also ignore the ATC and fly my own approach without worrying, like when they try to send my Cessna 172 on a 30 mile approach! I think I can get that lined up a little shorter. :Just Kidding:

AI on. Always. Lots of variety, and my levels are set realistically, without over taxing the ATC or the frames. Took a while to strike a balance, but I can't fly in an empty sky/ empty airport sim....

 

Pretty much this - I have Traffic X and put up with the default ATC foibles. I've worked out the correct percentage that will give me enough ground traffic, keep frame rates just about ok on approach and reduce the risk of being overtaken by an AI plane on approach. Never used VATSIM - presumably that is for online flying?

AI on (I rarely fly online). I use ATC only when flying airliners. For GA flights, it's just throttles forward and takeoff.

I always fly with AI on at 40% anything higher degrades my FPS and looks terrible at most airports since all the gates are full. AI adds so much to the immersion at airports but 100% is just overload. I use MTX and get great frames and looks really good. If there is a plane in my gate I too use FSUIPC to zap it and then when I pull into the gate and use FSUIPC to toggle AI back on, FSUIPC is my apron control. LOL

 

Bob

No AI, no ATC program. 100% of the flights online.

I use MTX with traffic slider at 100% and controlled with Super Traffic Board. Keeps AI out of the way on approach plus gives me the ability to delete, depart, or follow AI. As an added bonus it lets me see all the scheduled arrivals/departures/etc for the airport I'm departing from, arriving to, or those nearby and in between as well.

• I have TraffiX by Just Flight with FSX traffic slider at 50%. This gives me ample traffic at UK2000s Heathrow Xtreme V2 and all other airports.
  I also use PFE from Aerosoft to replace the default ATC and FDC also from Aerosoft for checklists, cabin announcements etc.