I am trying VOXATC before buying. I was cruising at 18000ft nearing the TOD point. I requested a change of frequency to get ATIS information at the arrival airport. This was granted. I got the information and changed back to the original frequency however ATC did not tell me to descend. In the end I requested descent but was told "Unable at this time". I tried requesting descent several times but was always refused. In the end I had to take over the flight myself and landed without ATC permission!!! The only thing I can think of is that I passed the point ATC wanted me to start descending when tuned to ATIS. ATC was miffed by this and as a consequence would not let me descend at all. I hope I am wrong because if it is true then this could happen frequently. Any ideas?

 

Phil.

To follow a SID/STAR you must have it saved in level-d format and the location defined in the Voxatc setup area.  Then ATC will guide you on the STAR.  In any event it has no knowledge of your FMC's TOD position.  Additionally, you will note on page 80 of the instruction manual:

 

No Vectors Approach

If checked, no vectors will be given by ATC at your destination.  This should be used when the destination airport has mountains or high terrain in the vicinity of its approaches.  VoxATC is not terrain aware and may vector an aircraft into high terrain while vectoring to an approach.

 

 

If I recall - the ATC will gracefully bow out with some instruction and allow you to fly your desired approach.

 

John

Thanks for the reply. We must have different manuals because on my page 80 the items are ; ATC responds with last aircraft to say again

ATC refuses requests

Slow response or speech generation

VOXATC prompts you to contact an enroute unit..........

 

I don't think SIDS/STARs are involved.There was no STAR in the flight plan and I expected to be vectored in. I should have started descent from 18000ft, well before any STAR. On page 48 of my manual under "Request descent" I should have been able to do so but was not allowed to by ATC. I had already flown a couple of flights and been vectored in without a problem. It was only when I switched frequency to contact ATIS that there was a problem.