...is when you start getting wacky altitudes: descend and maintain 8000 feet, then: climb to 9000 feet.

You know that you'll end up on the side of a mountain, so it's time to cancel IFR, bring out the trusty approach charts, and fly the procedure yourself, using default ATC for a bit of aural immersion. 

Helps to avoid a 3 hour flight going paws up. 

Edited April 3, 20215 yr by charliearon
removed and replaced one word

I never use it!

Neither do i, got fed up with it months ago, when our on approach for example, cleared to land, then climb to 13k...

Canned ATC (whether default or using an addon program) has never been good in any flight sim. 
Better just to turn it off.

There's always IVAO, VATSIM, PilotEdge. But for me, FS ATC Chatter by Stick and Rudder Studios or LiveATC.net are the best.
Nothing sounds more realistic than the real thing!

I only use default ATC in the past 15+ years to prevent conflicts with AI on takeoff and landing, albeit in FSX and earlier. Request VFR landing from about 12 miles out. It's not foolproof but it works about 70% of the time. Absolutely useless in all other regards. From what I'm reading, MFS ATC isn't much better.

 

So much for 15 years of progress...

I use default ATC on every flight, until such time someone comes up with an alternative that doesn't look like it was put together in the late 90s.

37 minutes ago, F737NG said:

Canned ATC (whether default or using an addon program) has never been good in any flight sim. 
Better just to turn it off.

There's always IVAO, VATSIM, PilotEdge. But for me, FS ATC Chatter by Stick and Rudder Studios or LiveATC.net are the best.
Nothing sounds more realistic than the real thing!

I use PF3 and have for years. Works well with MSFS 2020. Vatsim is OK if you don't mind talking to yourself 75% of the time on Unicomm due to no controllers where you are flying. Pilot edge is OK if you want to fly in one tiny are of one country, and spend up to $30 a month for the experience. PF3 gives ATC chatter with AI planes that are actually flying in MSFS that you can see. Default ATC in MS 2020 is just ridiculous. 

Meanwhile, somewhere in Microsoft Flight Simulator:

Approach: "United 403, descend maintain 7,500."
You: "Down to 7 5, United 403."

(moments later...)

EGPWS: "WHOOP WHOOP! Terrain! Terrain! Pull up! Pull up!"
You: "Approach, we've got a terrain warning we're climbing!"
Approach: "United 403, please expedite descent into the mountain. We're trying to clear some of this airspace. Lots of XBOX pilots on tonight."

28 minutes ago, Bobsk8 said:

I use PF3 and have for years. PF3 gives ATC chatter with AI planes that are actually flying in MSFS that you can see. Default ATC in MS 2020 is just ridiculous. 

Thanks for the tip on PF3, I may try that out.

1 hour ago, F737NG said:

Canned ATC (whether default or using an addon program) has never been good in any flight sim. 

But with this one a major problem is it is just too "generic"...

Anybody know what's going on with ProATC/X?  The developer took some time out (which we all need to do from time to time) but I seem to remember a new MSFS 2020 version is planned. I haven't been over to their forum for ages - it was full of people moaning while the support guys were performing a sterling service. 

Default ATC is not perfect but I find I keep coming back to it, albeit I end up ignoring it sometimes on approach if it starts acting up.

There are a few QOL improvements that would seem relatively minor to do like not waiting until an aircraft is 200ft away from the previously assigned altitude to issue a new clearance.  Even just that one thing would greatly improve the experience, especially in non autothrottle aircraft like the CRJ where leveling out in a climb at every step is a bit of a pain for speed control etc.

Each of the third party efforts have their pros and cons.  If PF3 ever adds some sort of onscreen interface to interact with ATC I'd certainly give it a go again.  I never got into having to remember keystrokes (that change depending on who you're talking to).  I could even deal with having to manually program my own SIDS/STARS with that improvement.

Edited April 3, 20215 yr by regis9

7 minutes ago, regis9 said:

Default ATC is not perfect but I find I keep coming back to it, albeit I end up ignoring it sometimes on approach if it starts acting up.

There are a few QOL improvements that would seem relatively minor to do like not waiting until an aircraft is 200ft away from the previously assigned altitude to issue a new clearance.  Even just that one thing would greatly improve the experience, especially in non autothrottle aircraft like the CRJ where leveling out in a climb at every step is a bit of a pain for speed control etc.

Each of the third party efforts have their pros and cons.  If PF3 ever adds some sort of onscreen interface to interact with ATC I'd certainly give it a go again.  I never got into having to remember keystrokes (that change depending on who you're talking to).  I could even deal with having to manually program my own SIDS/STARS with that improvement.

One key press is all you have to remember, and it puts up a list of all the active hotkeys for the frequency you are tuned to. 

1 minute ago, Bobsk8 said:

One key press is all you have to remember, and it puts up a list of all the active hotkeys for the frequency you are tuned to. 

Ahh ok thanks Bob.  It's been a while since I've used it so that must have been a new addition since my last use.  I'll have to take a look.

2 minutes ago, regis9 said:

Ahh ok thanks Bob.  It's been a while since I've used it so that must have been a new addition since my last use.  I'll have to take a look.

Since I have been using it it has been updated at least once a year, in fact it has been updated a couple of times in the last few months.