I'm curious to how people play the role of an ATC controller on MSFS? What software do you use and are there any available tutorials on how to become an ATC controller?

6 minutes ago, captain420 said:

I'm curious to how people play the role of an ATC controller on MSFS? What software do you use and are there any available tutorials on how to become an ATC controller?

You cannot unless you join the likes of Vatsim, and even then i think you would need to be taught at first. It's the only place i have heard of any ATC interacting with the sim.

34 minutes ago, captain420 said:

I'm curious to how people play the role of an ATC controller on MSFS? What software do you use and are there any available tutorials on how to become an ATC controller?

This is an excellent program:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/265185824285

Unfortunately is only on VHS. I had to transfer my copy to a dvd.

Edited October 11, 20214 yr by DJJose

VHS you say?  Sign me up hehe.  Probably a tad outdated.  Anyway isn't that a video of how to speak on the radio and not how to be a virtual ATC?  (Which I think the OP is asking about).

I think captain 420 should check out this vatsim link

https://www.vatsim.net/air-traffic-control/training

Edited October 11, 20214 yr by ryanbatcund

To be honest, if you want to simulate being an air traffic controller, you'd probably be better off with something like London Control, or one of the other similar programs to it which cover other regions if you don't want to simulate UK operations. There is a freebie demo of London Control, so you can try it for yourself for nothing, but I can tell you that it is very good and pretty much exactly like the real thing. It even lets you do things such as printing off movement strips and all that kind of thing if you want to go full-on with it (most places are paperless these days, but they do still have the paper strip system as a back up at many airports and centres, for example, EGCC retain them as a back up for if the system goes down, but they don't use it normally these days so they're usually tucked away in a drawer in the main tower). For a bit more visual fun there are many Tower sims too, from pro stuff to more game-like ones, and these can be good fun.

The majority of these types of simulators use voice control and simulate the modern screens you find these days at most ATC places and a lot of them are used for professional training too, so if you have a mouse and a headset, you're pretty much all set up for realistic simulation. Keep in mind that it's not an easy job in real life though - I know one guy who was an RAF Tornado navigator who flew combat missions in the Gulf War, and he went to try out as a controller in the UK and said it was more than he could handle - which gives you some idea of the fact that it's not a job everyone can do! So if you get a realistic sim of this type, it's something which is perhaps less like a game than you might find enjoyable, which is why that demo is worth a shot, since unlike with something like Vatsim, you could learn on your own at your own pace without any pressure.

If you fly for real however or are considering learning, it can be useful to have a stab at one of these sims because it gives you a good idea of how things work and broadens your knowledge. Some people can be a bit 'mike shy' - not something a gobby git like me would ever be accused of lol - and so if you are considering learning to fly and are apprehensive about speaking on the radio, stuff like these sims can help you get over that to a large extent by getting you familiar with phraseology, reading back, using the correct format for your transmissions and such.

Edited October 12, 20214 yr by Chock

Do it properly - IVAO or VATSIM with full training. IVAO get my vote

https://www.ivao.aero/