I've been tossing around ideas for developing products for FSX/P3D/XP10. Starting with a better ATC system for FSX/P3D -- FSX/P3D because it appears to currently hold a larger "spending" market ... however XP10 could certainly use a better ATC, but after looking at their SDK, I'm not sure much could be done -- hoping that improves over time as it would be nice to leverage my ATC work on more than just FSX/P3D.

 

I find the ATC in FSX ok for basic A to B routing, but lacking in realism (hold patterns, weather redirects, emergency response, approaches, etc. etc.). I realize there are other products for "live ATC" but my interest is primarily in computer based ATC system ... due to it's rather complex processing requirements, it would most likely have to run on a separate computer using WideFS/FSUIPC (maybe have to do my own IPC if FSUIPC doesn't have what I need, but I think it does) or else it could kill performance on a single system (but since it's WideFS/FSUIPC so it could do either).

 

Purpose of this threads is to cage interest and get feedback. Would love to know your opinions on ATC in FSX/P3D and/or XP10. What features you would like, OR if you're perfectly happy with existing ATC ... all information is good.

 

Thanks, Rob.

OR if you're perfectly happy with existing ATC

 

I am not perfectly happy with FSX ATC but I do like where ProATC/X is going. You do know there already a few ATC addons out there? I'd welcome every new ATC addon though because so far none of the existing ones is perfect. But as I said, ProATC/X is looking very promising.

Not happy with the stuff thats out there PFE, RC4 etc. I'd like realistic taxi intructions, SIDE/STAR and approach capability and I'd like Alt, Speed restrictions and Holding Patterns and I'd also like a lot of randomness in the IFR environment,...to keep me on my toes. i'd like great sounding voices so when Im in Ontario I heard English but over Quebec I hear french and all over the world to be that way. I'd pay MASSIVE amount of money for something like that.

+1 for ProATC. Its by no means perfect, but there is regular updates, developer listens to feedback and makes changes. Its very functional now save for some idiosyncracies that im sure will be worked out. This is up and coming very quickly and I think it will be THE ATC program to get. There is a big difference when there is active development and support.

Hello

I was one of many betas over at the Microsoft Flight site.

All I can tell you is that a decent ATC was the most sought out missing feature. (Most Feature Votes)

There is always two sides to a story and some people expressed they couldn’t care less, but I believe the overwhelming majority wanted it.

 

Stock ATC is "barely Ok" by 2004-2006 standards; although it was in need of a mayor rework and enhancements. (+- Developer’s words)

 

As other posters wrote, any and all ATC enhancements are welcomed.

I am not perfectly happy with FSX ATC but I do like where ProATC/X is going. You do know there already a few ATC addons out there? I'd welcome every new ATC addon though because so far none of the existing ones is perfect. But as I said, ProATC/X is looking very promising.

 

Yes Pro ATC/X looks to be a very nice product. I would be in direct competition with them if I decide to move forward. I haven't used Pro ATC/X as it could influence my design/work. I believe they use SimConnect, which I wouldn't ... my goal is to have the ATC system running on a different computer as it's processing of data would be complex and I would not want to introduce any stutters or pauses in FSX -- it would actually obtain real weather separately and use that for processing ATC. Again, the objective is to have the absolute minimal impact to FSX.

 

I'm hoping there is room for competition. But again, early planning stages.

Yes Pro ATC/X looks to be a very nice product. I would be in direct competition with them if I decide to move forward. I haven't used Pro ATC/X as it could influence my design/work. I believe they use SimConnect, which I wouldn't ... my goal is to have the ATC system running on a different computer as it's processing of data would be complex and I would not want to introduce any stutters or pauses in FSX -- it would actually obtain real weather separately and use that for processing ATC. Again, the objective is to have the absolute minimal impact to FSX.

 

I'm hoping there is room for competition. But again, early planning stages.

 

I would say you are massively limiting your already small market by making it run on another computer. How many people have two computers that run at the same time whilst playing Fsx?

 

Rich

I would say you are massively limiting your already small market by making it run on another computer. How many people have two computers that run at the same time whilst playing Fsx?

 

Rich

 

I wanted to post the exact same. ^_^ An ATC addon will already appeal to only a small market but if you can't run it (also) on the FSX PC the market will get even smaller. I for instance don't have an extra PC or laptop lying around... ^_^

 

So even if you focus on making it work on a network, be sure to also make it work on the FSX PC itself, I'd say.

Yes Pro ATC/X looks to be a very nice product. I would be in direct competition with them if I decide to move forward. I haven't used Pro ATC/X as it could influence my design/work. I believe they use SimConnect, which I wouldn't ... my goal is to have the ATC system running on a different computer as it's processing of data would be complex and I would not want to introduce any stutters or pauses in FSX -- it would actually obtain real weather separately and use that for processing ATC. Again, the objective is to have the absolute minimal impact to FSX.

 

I'm hoping there is room for competition. But again, early planning stages.

 

I believe this would be a great idea. You would have to have the second computer as an option and not required, but having a complete separate program would still keep FSX's 4GB limit dedicated to just FSX and not sharing with another program.

I really think that someone should also come out with an AI program like MyTraffic, that runs completely separate from FSX, and that doesn't use resources from FSX, so that you could run heavier AI traffic within FSX without worrying about OOMs.

Per my original thread start:

 

...it would most likely have to run on a separate computer using WideFS/FSUIPC (maybe have to do my own IPC if FSUIPC doesn't have what I need, but I think it does) or else it could kill performance on a single system (but since it's WideFS/FSUIPC so it could do either).

 

WideFS/FSUIPC would permit it to run on the same computer, but optimally I think to minimize FSX impact, it would run best of a different computer.

 

I don't have any data on how many people have two computers ... but if two computers is a smaller market, then I would make some of the ATC operations optional to avoid a big hit on FSX performance. For those with an available 2nd computer it would improve the ATC experience and realism ... allowing users to scale to meet their FSX hardware setup.

 

Just be clear, I'm talking about ATC, not AI traffic generators. Also, there is apparently a limit on how many aircraft can be "active" which is 98 if I understand correctly. "active" includes any stationary aircraft ... I think this is a arbritary limit in FSX. Feel free to correct if I'm wrong, but I recall reading that in the FSUIPC SDK docs.

I think a plus could be the ability to control AI Traffic so they don’t crash into obstacles or mountains when departing or approaching certain airports.

 

As you know current AI flight plans don’t have waypoints, son we are stuck with only departure and destination, current ATC does not take that into account, thus them planes often crash.

I like the idea and would love to have this along with other addons on a second computer. How would this connect?

 

Scott

Hi Rob,

 

" . . . I haven't used Pro ATC/X as it could influence my design/work. I believe they use SimConnect, which I wouldn't ... "

 

Pro-ATC-X does in fact use SimConnect over a network. Regarding the use of FSUIPC, my understanding is that it is slower than SimConnect but I could have been misinformed about that. You might want to touch base with Pete Dowson.

 

Regarding running an ATC program over a network vs on the flightsim computer, I find the network solution much more attractive for the obvious reasons including the ability to easily control sound volume separately even when using a common sound system. I think that there are much less low-end systems than a few years ago but agree with a previous poster that allowing to run an ATC program on the same rig that FSX uses would be a wise path to consider.

 

Good initiative even if it's at the planning stage.

 

All the best,

 

JJ

I've used all of the ATC programs except for ProATC. They all have their strengths and weaknesses. I'm for anything that enhances the flightsim experience. If you decide to go ahead, I'd be more than willing to be part of the test team.

Pmdg product's pricing proves that there's a market for serious programs for FSX. In fact, ATCproX aggressive pricing has proven to be smart in that it has enabled the developer to work on it full time and improve it as customer's feedback comes in real time.

In the end, only you can make that decision to devote several years of your time to develop a new program.

If you get it right, people will buy it.

As to a second computer...., if you keep the specs for a second pc low, most people would be able to find one, especially a cheap laptop.

 

tc