> FSX - 3rd incarnation of AI & ATC, & STILL no ability to declare an Emergency!?Declaring an emergency is not something I would like to see, personally, but advancements in AI and ATC are definitely needed. FSX has been a big disappointment in that respect. And is for me the biggest reason why I'm not using it. If MS is never gonna update those systems, FS9 has a long future ahead of it.Now, there are alternatives for ATC, but the problem with those addons is that they don't do as a good a job at controlling AI as the default ATC does. I would want FS or an addon to control both AI and user according to the same principles and obviously there should be interaction between the two. AI should be aware of the user. Separation anyone... There's no point in having a great ATC addon if AI is controlled by a separate system. And online flying is nice - although I've never tried it - but it can never have the same coverage as a program. Global coverage and 24/7 are a must. Besides the ATC aspect, we really need better airport management. One-way runways without the need for multiple Afcads. The use of non-parallel runways without them being locked in a predefined star configuration. Better behavior allround of traffic all around the airport. A slightly different issue, but sloped runways would be nice as well.Just some of the issues that need to be worked on, it is a flight simulator after all.

Of all the dynamics of real world ATC, declaring an emergency is probably the lowest on the totum pole for me. A nice to have, yes, but with so much wrong with the current circa FS2002 ATC module, there is so much more to be fixed before emergency declarations come to mind.And, NO MICROSOFT, real person ATC will NOT replace AI ATC any time soon. Sure the dream of having thousands of aircraft depicted as in the real world and controlled by real world ATC at any place and any time is a wonderful dream, but it ain't no reality. As it stands now, the airspaces are sparcely populated, ATC is sparcely manned and one cannot enjoy a consistant experience everywhere in the world.

I can't speak for ACES, but I would guess without much doubt that Gamespy will be dropped for the nest FS. Multiplayer Internet connectivity for computer games has come a very long way since the time when Gamespy was considered as the best fit for FSX.This is my personal opinion, and may or may not be the same as the official opinion of AVSIM on this topic, if any.Jeff ShylukAssistant Managing EditorSenior Staff ReviewerAVSIM