Dirk98, on 21 Mar 2013 - 00:31, said:
and does this thing run on a networked PC?
I have the same question as Dirk (see above).

 

Yes it does.

There is an simple tool which lets anyone contribute their vocal chords. In fact the more enthusiasts that donate their own voices to ProATC/X the better it will be. In terms of AI interaction this program is nearly there. In terms of everything else it is now way ahead of RC4. Those early videos should be updated though I agree, as ProATC/X has come on leaps and bounds.

This in itself, is a problem, because these voice packs are coming from outside contributors, using this tool, there is no consistent protocol control. This results in inconsistent voice packs. For example, Your pilot voice may correctly use the callsign "Southwest 1234" but the ATC response with a different voice may respond with the phonetic "SWA 1234".

FSX's bad points:

 

Frequency bounces

 

Happens if you are straddling ATC freq boundaries. Annoying, but understandable.

 

Let's go of VFR departures quite quickly

 

limited choices for approaches (no full IAP)

 

Not entirely true, but it is rare, since the approaches have to be defined in the AFCAD, which unfortunately most designers, don't do. Understandable for freeware, but I would have liked to see payware developers, take the extra step. Jim Vile afcads, like his Atlanta, and Kaitak sceneries, include these. When present, they must b requested, they are not assigned.

 

Sometimes vectors you into terrain

 

That's one thing I never seen happen with FSX default,

 

Traffic calls are rarely useful

 

Agreed, no warnings until 4 miles out, which would be hardly enough time to react with opposing traffic. Also you get them with a much higher vertical separation then you should, (4000ft vs 1000ft). My current ATC (PFE) makes this a user settable feature, which I set for alerts to 10 miles with separations of 1000ft. Works well.

 

No practice IAP approaches (something military and GA do quite a bit).

 

Not sure what you mean here, or if any ATC addon supports this?

 

Can't ask to leave VFR pattern or for a full stop.

 

You have the option for touch and go's or a full stop landing, as well as to cancel landing intentions, so I'm not sure what you are asking for here?

 

No altitude/speed restrictions...no holds...turns for separation...other things that are typical that ATC does.

 

If approach defines a target altitude within an afcad ATC will assign it. Try the approach into KEGE.

 

No realistic class B, C, D handling (no VFR routes, restrictins, etc.)

 

 

One other FSX negative, although this is more with the AI system then ATC. FSX AI is vectored, so you get unnecessary vectoring instructions when they should just be flying a flightplan like you are. As the AI flies past it's waypoint ATC will vector them back on course, instead of the aircraft doing it themselves.

"

Altitude Assignments
Elevation data for waypoints can now be downloaded optionally (GoogleMaps). This enables PRO-ATC/X to calculate a proper Top Of Descent (TOD), which also prevents collisions with mountains. Therefore we recommend to enable this option." Where is this option and how do i use it

"

Altitude Assignments

Elevation data for waypoints can now be downloaded optionally (GoogleMaps). This enables PRO-ATC/X to calculate a proper Top Of Descent (TOD), which also prevents collisions with mountains. Therefore we recommend to enable this option." Where is this option and how do i use it

options>In-Flight then 'tick' request Elevation online. ^_^

Thanks again

This in itself, is a problem, because these voice packs are coming from outside contributors, using this tool, there is no consistent protocol control. This results in inconsistent voice packs. For example, Your pilot voice may correctly use the callsign "Southwest 1234" but the ATC response with a different voice may respond with the phonetic "SWA 1234".

 

Hi Tom, if you take a look at the Sound Recording Tool (I don't think you need ProATC to try it), you will see that you just record yourself speaking various bits of written text and letters and numbers with a microphone. It is then ProATC that decides whether to say "Southwest 1234" or "SWA 1234" and not your voice. So there is no room for inconsistency. If you're still not convinced, download the tool and have a play.

 

http://www.pointsoftware.de/download/proatcx/proatcx_sndrec_tool.zip

 

 

David.

tt51d,

In regards to FSX ATC...

limited choices for approaches (no full IAP)

Not entirely true, but it is rare, since the approaches have to be defined in the AFCAD, which unfortunately most designers, don't do. Understandable for freeware, but I would have liked to see payware developers, take the extra step. Jim Vile afcads, like his Atlanta, and Kaitak sceneries, include these. When present, they must b requested, they are not assigned.

I only have one third party airport and don't know anything about AFCAD. So, if a third party developer includes the full IAP from the IAF it will be included as an option to the airport?...along with vectors to final, I hope? I'd have thought that that info would have been pulled from the navdata.

Sometimes vectors you into terrain

That's one thing I never seen happen with FSX default,

I've had it happen twice with FSX ATC where there was a mountain near the airport...once at Palm Springs. Don't remember where the other one was. I avoid the situation by not flying IFR to those kinds of airports.

No practice IAP approaches (something military and GA do quite a bit).

Not sure what you mean here, or if any ATC addon supports this?

Often GA and military pilots will fly cross country and then do a few instrument approaches at the destination before landing or going back to their home airport. Sometimes they just do them at their departure airport. No current ATC add on supports it. It'd be a great feature for people who are trying to work on their IFR or proficiency. Useful and definitely real world. It's not a feature I'm waiting for...only hoping for and one that an ATC app could use to set itself apart. What I have to do now is shut off ATC and AI and do it alone.

Can't ask to leave VFR pattern or for a full stop.

You have the option for touch and go's or a full stop landing, as well as to cancel landing intentions, so I'm not sure what you are asking for here?

Maybe I had a Homer Simpson moment and missed that in FSX ATC. I'll look again.


I'd also add one thing I've seen people talking about in the thread...sometimes a pilot needs to change his destination mid-flight and air-files to a new destination. Selecting a new destination and air filing is a generalization of diverting, similar to filing an IFR flight plan and picking it up in the air. AFAK, it's fairly rare for ATC to deny such a request. Still, in the big picture, these are rare events.

V1.2.0.1  will be released tomorrow Saturday(UK).

 

For fixes/changes have a wander over to the ProATc/X forum

 

http://www.pointsoftware.de/proatcx_e/index.html

 

V1.2.0.1 will be released tomorrow Saturday(UK).

 

Thanks alpha117 for the HU.  I hope this fix will also fix my problem I reported on the day 1.2 was released.

 

4.LFMN/KORD no Data in Database , cannot open or edit airports.....Fixed.....V1.2.0.1

 

It looks like what happened to me when I tried to edit my KORD-KSTL and KSTL-KORD flightplans or tried to create a new KSTL-KORD flightplan.  It was just these routes.  I was successful in editing or creating a flight from KLAX to KSFO.  Sounds like something messy with KORD database.  Look forward to the update.

 

Best regards,

Jim

 

 

 

 
 

V 1.2.0.1 is out.

Thanks for the HU.  The upgrade fixed my problem in Post 40.

 

Best regards,

Jim

Is the upgrade good Jim? By that I mean is it worth buying now or does it still have a lot of issues ?

Is the upgrade good Jim? By that I mean is it worth buying now or does it still have a lot of issues ?

 

I have not seen any issues.  I'm happy but it still does not handle AI like many want it to do (like ProATC being able to see them and ATC communicating with the aircraft in the area and warning you about a potential issue).   I personally do not care for this realism so, like I said, I'm happy.  I have been working with Mourad and ProATC since day one when this product was first released last June.  I personally just like to hear the immersion of background chatter and like the fact the co-pilot now has the capability to help you fly complicated aircraft like the PMDG737.  IMHO, it is not realistic for the Pilot-in-Command to handle all the functions required to fly a heavy.  ProATC works well with heavies but I'm still waiting for the product working with GA (then I'll be really happy! :lol: ).  If you go to their forum, they have a thread providing feedback on the updates.

 

Best regards,

Jim

Thank you to all who have shared info on this product.

So far I like what I am seeing with ProATC. I am also glad to know there will be forthcoming updates to current handling of GA.