I bit the bullet on Pilot2ATC

[John W]

I've been frustrated with every ATC plugin I've tried for X-Plane 11, frustrated with the default ATC, and frustrated even with the ATC for FSX Steam. The FSX default ATC bounces me up and down, telling me to climb, then descend, then climb again, and on and on. The best ATC I used for X-Plane 11 was 124thatc but it would vector me into mountains. I hesitated on Pilot2ATC because I already was using LittleNavMap for flight planning, FS Flight Control for a moving map, and SimPlatesX for approach plates. The thought of spending more to get a program that provided ATC but also provided what I already had in the other programs was what put me off.

Finally I just got fed up with the ATC in FSX and X-Plane 11, so I purchased Pilot2ATC. Had some issues at first getting the speech recognition trained and adjusting the sound levels in both FSX and XP11 so I could hear Pilot2ATC. I'm still working out the kinks, there is a lot to learn, but now that I have it up and running I don't regret my purchase. Now I have one program to go to for flight planning, moving map tracking my flight progress, taxi instructions (a line to follow on the map) at airports, approach procedures and of course ATC. I've tried several approaches in the mountains of the Southern and Central Rockies, and have yet to be vectored into the ground or a mountain. Yes it's $60 but it provides more than just ATC. I think it is definitely worth the money.

[Glenn_C]

Tried pilot2atc out the last few days. I am going to purchase it as it does work really well. It add's more immersion to my off-line flying.

[John W]

Make sure to watch the videos on their website if you have any questions. Also here is a link to the support forum: https://www.avsim.com/forums/forum/713-pilot2atc-users-forum/

One thing I really like is the ability to not have to file a flight plan, just takeoff and get traffic advisories. You can also just contact ground, request taxi, then when you contact tower can advise "Callsign ready for departure to remain in the pattern" and tower will give you closed traffic pattern instructions for right or left hand traffic. On downwind you can request the option for landing. It is so flexible. There is a video on VFR traffic patterns.

[Stringbean]

I've downloaded it but haven't even got around to installing yet in order to try it for the 14 day trial period. There's a part of me that says it's just overkil for my needs. I don't need a flight planner as I use SImbrief and I still have reservations about whether I'll get used to the robotic sounding voices. I have read though over on Avsim about people purchasing real voice packs but I get the impression they're a bit on the expensive side.

[John W]

I can understand. I was hesitant about the robotic voice but have gotten used to it and now it doesn't bother me. I use Little NavMap for flight planning but it's just as easy through Pilot2ATC. Just consider once you start the trial the 14 days starts from the first time you start it. I made the mistake of thinking is was 14 uses so my trial ran out before I really got to try it. So I just read more reviews and watched the videos on their site and decided to go for it. I can use it with FSX as well so it works for me. I also like the flexibility of the ATC, letting me just take off, get traffic advisories and if I want at any time I can load a flight plan or just fly until I find a place to land, contact approach and get vectors for approach and landing. It all amounts to what you want out of it.

[rich100211]

John, thank you too for the review. I've had my eyes on Pilot2ATC. I haven't even looked at ATC yet, I've just been doing tons or practicing with the stock 737, route planning, sids, stars, and at least recently been pretty successful using the FMC in taking off, flight, descent, and Vor Loc and Approach using glidescope. I'm a real beginner but finding this addicting.

[clif9710]

John W původně napsal:

So I guess I didn't do my research well enough. I have been discovering that Pilot2ATC will give me a parking / gate spot that is occupied by another aircraft. 124thatc did the same. Well I guess I'll have to put up with that. Most of the time once I clear the runway I terminate the flight anyway.

I ran into one issue which is a bug in XP11. Pilot2ATC is aware of the AI aircraft. While taxiing to the active a Baron 58 got in front of me. Pilot2ATC notified me I was number 2 for departure (I was behind the B58). So I sat there and the B58 never moved. No aircraft on final. Nothing I could see preventing the B58's departure. Just sits there blocking the runway. Something that needs to get fixed in XP11.

This problem remains with XP11 as of Sept 2019. I just had it happened to me. I had to restart the program to get rid of the MD80 waiting ahead of me to take off.

[Thogmar]

ATC is my number one issue with Xplane, but I'll wait for V12 or MSFS2020 to see what they incorporate - the robotic voice is far, far too behind the current tech curve for me. My computer is filled with realistic assistant voices, no excuse for Xplane to not have a module or two.

[Harry]

stringbean6 původně napsal:

Is this the program with robotic sounding voices? Such an immersion killer!

https://youtu.be/8pikF-0fOlk

[Harry]

amazing software, love it

[Stringbean]

Harry The Archer původně napsal:

stringbean6 původně napsal:

Is this the program with robotic sounding voices? Such an immersion killer!

https://youtu.be/8pikF-0fOlk

My comment you're referring to is over a year old. I don't like Pilot2ATC and never will. I'm a Vatsim User now.