1 minute ago, Ron Attwood said:

Sense spoken here.  😁

But don't make a habit of it. 😋

I had "returning"  student pilot in his 80th . We did some flying and he did great! Then I told him about airspaces. he looked at me with surprise and ask "what airspaces? when learn to fly before, there were no airspaces" That how I figured his last lesson was in 70th LOL When he learn he didn't even really had to talk much on radio or listen to any instruction for ATC flying outside big airport - his Piper Cub didn't even had radio LOL

Wow, these ages give me a warm fuzzy.  One of personal concerns I had concerning going to the flight sim convention in a few months (only second time in 20 years) was being the oldest guy in the room at 63.  This still may be the case, but I feel better about it.

About the ATC, yeah, known issue.  I went with third party about 4 months after MS release - works great (Pilot2ATC).

Oh Dear!  I am 89,so beat you all unless someone else comes out of the woodwork? been simming since 1991 and just love it.

ATC is getting too complicated for my brain cells!

Nigel

Vancouver

5 hours ago, Vineguy said:

Thanks for all the replies. I have found a way around the descent stage that sometimes works. When ATC tells me to descend to a certain altitude, I ignore the FL it gives me and instead of their step down levels I descend to FL 2,700 and ignore the instructions to climb etc. after going through their suggested altitude. 

Does Beyond ATC follow a flight plan I would generate using Simbrief?

Yes, Beyond ATC generally follows the flight plan you file in Simbrief, but it may override the runways you choose in SimBrief because BeyondATC bases the runway to use on the current winds.

One good thing about BeyondATC is if you don't use a microphone, you can always just select the options from the BeyondATC menu, just like you select options from the ATC menu in MSFS. Having said that, it seems in your first post in this thread and the title of your thread, you seem to imply you are not the best with technology and computers?  If you are good with technology and I misread your post and your title, than my apologies, I didn't mean to insinuate you are not good with technology and computers. But if you are not the best with technology and computers, expect the following hurdles when using BeyondATC:

1. You'll need to know how to run your programs in Windows in administrator mode. It's not hard to do, just a few more clicks. BeyondATC has had some problems where people couldn't get it to install or work without running it in administrator mode.

2. The microphone setup may be a little tricky, if you are unlucky. If you previously got a microphone to work on your computer, then I think you should be okay. But if you haven't gotten a microphone to work before in Windows, setting it up is really a hit or miss. If it's a hit and everything goes smoothly, then great. If it's a miss though, troubleshooting microphone issues in Windows will require some digging and reading a lot of help articles and forums.

3. There is a small possibility that you may have to use a VPN to get BeyondATC to work. Some people could not login to BeyondATC, or get the latest update, without using a VPN. This is a BeyondATC issue. You shouldn't need to use a VPN to login, or get the latest update. But the fact is, people are doing just that on their Discord channel.  Not many, but there are some people using a VPN to get BeyondATC to work.

4. You will probably have to learn how to use Discord if you want to ask questions and get support for BeyondATC. Unfortunately, all the support for BeyondATC is in their Discord channel.  But on the bright side, if you learn to use Discord, you can access a lot of other resources for MSFS. There is an MSFS Discord channel, a Working Title Discord channel, and so many other 3rd party developers for MSFS have their own Discord channel.

Please note that BeyondATC does not support traffic injection at this point, so the BeyondATC ATC controller will have no idea about the AI planes in MSFS (so the ATC controller in BeyondATC may run you right into an AI plane).  Traffic injection is coming at a later date, according to the BeyondATC team.  Overall, I would recommend BeyondATC over the default ATC in MSFS if you can get BeyondATC to work.

Edited May 20, 20242 yr by abrams_tank

Just to clear up some misgivings many of you have. I have flown over 10,000 hours for two virtual airlines. I know most of the rules of the road regarding airspace, altitudes, speed etc. Very comfortable executing visual and ILS landings. The reason I haven't had to program a FMC is because since 20006 I have been flying the MS default B737-800 using FSX and P3D and it doesn't have a FMC. I guess I will just have to watch a couple YouTube videos etc. to learn how to accomplish this.

I am familiar with computers and have built 5 computers to keep up with the flight sim updates. 

Edited May 20, 20242 yr by Vineguy

If you only care about the actual flying and don't want or need other ai aircraft getting in the way you can just disable them entirely and not use Air TRAFFIC Control at all. It IS your sim world after all! The charts and plates will give you approaching altitude clearance info if you fly direct to approach and don't use an arrival. If you DO use an arrival all safe altitudes are listed on there for a happy/safe landing.

VERY important is the plane you fly and whether the AP is slaved to follow both lateral AND vertical guidance. Just having an FMS wont help you on its own if you need to manage the throttle yourself for example! It just tells you or the AP what to do, assuming either you or the AP are capable of obeying 😄

5 hours ago, abrams_tank said:

Yes, Beyond ATC generally follows the flight plan you file in Simbrief, but it may override the runways you choose in SimBrief because BeyondATC bases the runway to use on the current winds.

One good thing about BeyondATC is if you don't use a microphone, you can always just select the options from the BeyondATC menu, just like you select options from the ATC menu in MSFS. Having said that, it seems in your first post in this thread and the title of your thread, you seem to imply you are not the best with technology and computers?  If you are good with technology and I misread your post and your title, than my apologies, I didn't mean to insinuate you are not good with technology and computers. But if you are not the best with technology and computers, expect the following hurdles when using BeyondATC:

1. You'll need to know how to run your programs in Windows in administrator mode. It's not hard to do, just a few more clicks. BeyondATC has had some problems where people couldn't get it to install or work without running it in administrator mode.

2. The microphone setup may be a little tricky, if you are unlucky. If you previously got a microphone to work on your computer, then I think you should be okay. But if you haven't gotten a microphone to work before in Windows, setting it up is really a hit or miss. If it's a hit and everything goes smoothly, then great. If it's a miss though, troubleshooting microphone issues in Windows will require some digging and reading a lot of help articles and forums.

3. There is a small possibility that you may have to use a VPN to get BeyondATC to work. Some people could not login to BeyondATC, or get the latest update, without using a VPN. This is a BeyondATC issue. You shouldn't need to use a VPN to login, or get the latest update. But the fact is, people are doing just that on their Discord channel.  Not many, but there are some people using a VPN to get BeyondATC to work.

4. You will probably have to learn how to use Discord if you want to ask questions and get support for BeyondATC. Unfortunately, all the support for BeyondATC is in their Discord channel.  But on the bright side, if you learn to use Discord, you can access a lot of other resources for MSFS. There is an MSFS Discord channel, a Working Title Discord channel, and so many other 3rd party developers for MSFS have their own Discord channel.

Please note that BeyondATC does not support traffic injection at this point, so the BeyondATC ATC controller will have no idea about the AI planes in MSFS (so the ATC controller in BeyondATC may run you right into an AI plane).  Traffic injection is coming at a later date, according to the BeyondATC team.  Overall, I would recommend BeyondATC over the default ATC in MSFS if you can get BeyondATC to work.

Thank you Abrams for taking time to explain all this.  I was about to take the plunge, but I don't won't to have to go through all this.

Roy

There is a fine recruiting forum for western movie elderly sidekicks. They instruct in how to provide comedy dialogue to lighten up the more serious drama of cattle rustling and stagecoach robbing.

Some folks seem to get uptight about ATC but I don't because I use MSFS for (dare I say it) fun.  That's why I don't mind the default ATC because it just adds to the fun.

sp

 

Rarrit!

I like "Plug and Play".  I'm too hold to jump through hoops.

Roy

18 hours ago, Roy Warren said:

Thank you Abrams for taking time to explain all this.  I was about to take the plunge, but I don't won't to have to go through all this.

Roy

Hold up there, another side to the story.  Here's my experience.

I fly almost primary airliners.

Been using BATC since the day it came out. Not usually an early adopter, but was very intrigued by the product. That and super tired of using the default ATC since the late 80's.  :)

Every flight so far has worked extremely well from departure push and start, to arrival at the gate.

I've never used VATSIM as I was a little intimidated by learning correct phraseology and not getting it right with another human being.  BATC has prompts that tell you exactly what to say and when.  Took me about three flights and I feel very confident in my communications. If I get something wrong BATC pretty directly tells me what's wrong.  So kind of a nice inadvertent learning tool.       

Running administrator mode is simply no more that right clicking the icon.  A quick google search will give you dozens of examples and even videos on how to do it. It's literally a right click, no big deal. 

I'm no IT guy for sure.  I simply brought a headset that came with a microphone, plugged it in, and changed the PC settings to "play through microphone".  Done.

You don't have to use Discord.  Plenty of friendly folks on this forum who love to help folks like us.

Never used a VPN and again have been simming since the 80's. With BATC, just download it as an Admin and run it as an Admin. That seems to have fixed issues folks have been having that are mentioned above.   

BATC does not have traffic injection, yet. It's on the roadmap and will happen. The BATC team is hugely responsive and seem to make daily improvements. I've had no problems with AI traffic, but I do use FSLTL, AIGround and AIFlow.  All super simple mods to download and install.

If you don't want to worry about AI Traffic for now while you're learning BATC, simply go into your MSFS settings and turn traffic off. Again, pretty simple.

I'm not affiliated with BATC in any way. Just a long time flight sim person who's been enjoying this product.

Not a fan of the robot sounding voices and complicated interfaces of the other ATC products and for me at least, BATC has added a whole new level of realism that has been missing. And a simple easy to use interface.            

Again, not shilling the product but also don't want you to take a pass without hearing another view. 

I bought the basic package for $29.99  Pretty good value for the money, I think.  

              

On 5/19/2024 at 4:23 PM, Vineguy said:

Is there some way to make the default flight planner with ATC do what the FSX and P3D can do? Programing the FMC is something I would like to avoid. I never had to do it with the prior sims.

I've used default ATC which by no means is all bad and has improved over the years in MSFS. To be honest ATC isn't super high on my priorities list and my rationalization for that is that I'm flying airliners w/o a copilot and there's plenty to do to keep me busy, especially as a user of dual pilotage-scoring apps, Self Loading Cargo and A Pilot's Life.  I use the lovely simple modification to the taxi ribbon which instead of the huge heinous arrows uses discreet  green dots similar to taxiway lights which are subtle and give you just enough guidance to get you to the runway apron and arrival gate.

In terms of coming in too high I end up turning off the autopilot around 750 feet above ground and hand flying in, and will stay under the glide slope as we near touchdown so that we're around 50 feet above ground as we near the runway.

If you're up for a Facetime visit if you have iPhone I would be happy to coach you thru setup of an FMC if you're using one of my 4 planes:  FBW 320nx, PMDG 738, Asobo/Working Titel 787X and Aersoft CRJ 700.   Programming an FMC isn't very difficult at all but it would help to have someone guide you thru the basics.

Hi Noel. I remember you from years ago :).The default ATC works fine for following the flight plan and getting to cruise altitude. The problem comes when I am told to descend. Using the flight levels they give I end up way too high to intercept the ILS. What I have been doing is, when ATC tells me to descend to say fL150. When told to descend I enter 2700 ft. and a rate of descent to 1800 FPM and reduce the throttles. The problem, once I bust FL150 ATC keeps nagging me to ascend to 150 altitude and will level off and I have to enter another rate of descent every time they give me a new altitude. If MS would only fix the way the rate of decent is figured I don't have a problem. In fact with the co-pilot active it will enter the frequency and heading to intercept the localizer etc. Using this method I usually end up about 20 miles from the runway and on the localizer etc. and hand fly from about 2 miles out. My VA has an optimum landing being between 100 and 300 fpm and around 1200 feet from the threshold.

I hope that makes sense.

Bob G.