I've read good about bad about Pro-ATC/X - I'm thinking of purchasing now as it seems many issues were sorted out ... even thought about doing my own ATC product, but given the complexity and existence of Pro-ATC/X, I abandoned the project.

 

Would like to know if any major issues are still pending and specific compatibility with:

 

1.  FSUIPC/WideFS

2.  Traffic 360

3.  PMDG AC

 

Thanks, Rob.

While I have Proatc-x I don't really use it, my main ATC these days come from PFE. To my knowledge there hasn't been an update to the program in quite a while (At Least May? ver 1.2.3.8), so if those were issues before, they probably still are issues today.

Thanks for the response, I'll check out PFE ... but I thought PFE is basically Pro Flight 2000 which is a very very old product?

I have ProATC, but does not use it awaiting a new version.  Hopefully ProATC will get better, but it is not there yet.

Currently I use VoxATC which reacts on speech. I like it a lot. 

I prefer proATC over PFE and radar contact and use it for all my flights. There are issues to be solved and an important update is eagerly awaited.

 

jos

Thanks for the response, I'll check out PFE ... but I thought PFE is basically Pro Flight 2000 which is a very very old product?

Yes PFE is old and is no longer being actively supported, but it does things no other ATC program I've seen do. One with the optional voicepack (Which entitles you to a free additional pack available on their forum) You get 99 separate voices broken down by region. It handles OCEANIC ATC with SELCAL Positioning reports. It has a taxi monitoring system that gives you multiple options. If you use an aircraft that uses a standard FSX autopilot (Complex models won't work) it will direct you by heading bug the taxi path to follow, or it includes a gauge that will direct you with arrows. It even has an audible mode that will direct you by voice (That's the mode I use.). It does have it's issues, because it uses 2 programs it's an extra step to setup, but it's not really that bad. It takes me about 1 minute. It is no longer supported. Like most ATC programs it doesn't control, but interacts with AI, which is a little quirky but in general works well.  I have a few videos (Latest ones) on my channel below if you want to see it in action.

ProATCX could be great. It's a doddle to setup and the user interface is well designed and easy to use. Once in the sim you use the menu screens to do everything so there's no need to remember which button does what like you do with PFE's 'hot key' system. But beyond that it falls down a bit. Compared to PFE's dozens of accents from all over the world, PATCX gives you literally a handful, of variable quality. The big let down is the actual instructions you get in flight. I guess it must use intersections and airways to work out where you are but these are verbalised in the sim. You get cleared to airways and intersections that aren't in your flight plan, or even available in the FMC. On approach things get even weirder as I was instructed to go direct to the Luton NDB as I was landing at Stansted?!? The instructions from ATC bear no relation to anything posted on approach charts or in the flightplan which for me spelled the end until it got fixed. Save your money for now.

 

PFE is great when it works but setting up SIDS and STARS is a chore and it suffers from the most enormous brain farts at times.

I just purchased PRO-ATC yesterday, not had a chance to use it yet thought as I have been preoccupied with other things. I did read on the forum today that apparently they are really close to a major break through! The devs didnt say what the breakthrough was, but I know they have been trying to crack controlling AI on the ground for a while now.

I used VoxATC and it doesnt advise you of terrain.

I follow their progress nearly on a daily basis. The Dev said sometime ago that they we rewriting a good portions of the program. It kind of sounded like they sort of programmed themselves into a box and went back to the drawing board...LOL It is not surprising in that a project of this scope is a snake with many heads. They are very dedicated to this program and I still think it will become the go to ATC program before long.

I've read good about bad about Pro-ATC/X - I'm thinking of purchasing now as it seems many issues were sorted out ... even thought about doing my own ATC product, but given the complexity and existence of Pro-ATC/X, I abandoned the project.

 

Would like to know if any major issues are still pending and specific compatibility with:

 

1.  FSUIPC/WideFS

2.  Traffic 360

3.  PMDG AC

 

Thanks, Rob.

ProAtc overall is ok but I stopped using it for now. It needs to know the flightplan obviously and I get too many errors all the time with it not knowing a waypoint. Might be an AIRAC issue. Its decent at following you and giving instructions although the phraseology is off depending where your from. They sometimes just dont make sense, so I just have to do myself. I spent a good while getting the STARs fixed with transitions as the way the program read it was very much in favor of European charts, and north american just didnt work, but that is better now, not perfect. I also didnt get arrivals until well into the STAR which would misread the hard restrictions. 

 

That being said, while the updates came very often before, there is now a major major update in the works. It is quite a big overhaul is my understanding. Probably bringing in AI control and voice. Should come this month or next is the goal I think.  Give credit to the devs, as this is not an easy task as it is, and they did need to take a break from it all for family etc, but are back at it hard at work. I look forward to what it will bring. 

Best idea is to wait for the new release before purchasing it. Hopefully this or next weekend.

Thanks for all the input, very helpful.  I will wait and see what happens.  Not being able to control AI on taxi/runways would be a show stopper for me.

Thanks for all the input, very helpful.  I will wait and see what happens.  Not being able to control AI on taxi/runways would be a show stopper for me.

Unless I am mistaken, in all fairness to PATC, I don't think any of the other ATC programs (RC4 etc.) "control" AI, other than I believe RC4 freezes aircraft at the hold short line of the runway you are landing on.

 

I think the only one that does anything close to control is FSX default.

 

Correct me if I am wrong anybody.

 

Regards,

Thanks for all the input, very helpful.  I will wait and see what happens.  Not being able to control AI on taxi/runways would be a show stopper for me.

I thought AI Smooth handles that task very well as far as making sure aircraft stay out of your way on the ground and in the air.  I doubt you will see this ability in ProATC.  Like Rick (wanabflyer) FSX default does this and I think ProATC would be trampling on FSX code if they tried it.  I personally cannot handle the default ATC ground controllers as they keep you on the ground longer than a total round trip flight so I usually ignore them if I use the default ATC (rare).  My only issue with ProATC that might need to be cleaned up a bit is the vectoring to the glideslope.  This has little or no realism whatsoever and I'm glad they are not handling real flights.

 

Best regards,

Jim