here is simulation
software and then there are the a few titles that become a staple of
the enthusiast. ATCC (Air Traffic Control Center) by
Xavius is one of these programs.Before I purchased the software, I knew it was already evolving into something special. I tend not to purchase average software because I do my homework and don't just rush out and grab it up. I searched through the on-line message boards and found nothing but rave reviews from current users.
Having been involved in flight simulation for 16 years I, like other flight simmers, have a keen interest in air traffic control. Over the years I have owned them all, Tracon, Tower and even Air Havoc Controller. ATCC by Xavius is where the games stop and reality begins. Now don't get me wrong, Tracon & Tower were very entertaining and did simulate slices of reality. They did give you a taste of what the pressure cooker of air traffic control was like, but they didn't feel complete.
Start-up the software and there are no fancy AVI sequences or sound effects, no time wasted on fluff. Just a box with an ATCC logo and a command to enter your initials. After the initials it's straight to the career screen to select whether you wish to TRAIN or CERTIFY on a sector. There is another option, to WORK a sector, but that is only available after you train and certify with the built-in instructor. He watches your every move on simulated traffic then passes or sends you back for more training. When you WORK a sector, you are working real modeled traffic and mistakes or 'DEALS' are frowned upon and can be detrimental to your career. On the top of the career screen is a constant display of your current career level and experience rating.
There are six sectors that come with the simulation. Two sectors near Los Angeles, two near New York and two around Chicago. Also available is another sector for Los Angeles that you can download off the Xavius Web site and a trial/beta attempt to simulate a Chicago approach. Future sectors are currently being created and should be available through the official Web site.
Each sector is covered by a detailed cardboard sector card that is part of the documentation. So after reading the 115 page manual cover to cover, getting the command reference card and the sector card proped up near the computer, you are ready to give it a shot. And trust me, a shot in the dark is what it will be. ATCC requires practice!
The best way to get a feel for this simuation is for me to breakdown a sector screen. So follow the NUMBERS and match them up with the SCREEN SHOT and then we will discuss some of the aspects following:
The screen shot is of SECTOR 97 which lies over southeast Pennsylvania and covers from the ground to 17,000 feet. This sector is an entry and exit point for the crowded New York Metropolitan area. Traffic represents private aircraft, commuters heading for Newark and La Guardia. It also handles jet arrivals and departures from Philadelphia and jet arrivals to Lagaurdia.
#1: Aircraft Symbology and Information Tag. The three dashed lines behind the aircraft represent the history of where the aircraft has been. N7597Y is the aircraft call-sign. 170C on the second line of the TAG is indicating 17,000 and C=Cruise. 838 on the left side of the bottom line is the computer ID# and 260 on the right side is the speed over the ground.
#2: In this aircraft's TAG you can see on the second line that this aircraft is climbing from 13,500. 350 = 35,000 and is the requested cruise altitude. You can also see an 'R' followed by the computer ID and a -73. This aircraft has been handed off to SECTOR 73 and accepted by them. Your next move there would be to tell the aircraft to call in on sector 73's radio frequency. Good'Day!
#3: This is an IFR aircraft that is below your sector & not in your control. You mostly ignore these aircraft with the exception of not climbing or descending in conflict with them. This doesn't happen very often. (V would indicate VFR)
#4: These vertical lines is how storm cells appear on the radar.
#5A: This faint dashed line that is adjustable in intensity is the north boundary of your sector. This screen shows the boundaries and airways lighter in color than you would have them.
#5B: This solid line (again ajustable) is a VICTOR (v) airways. Most aircraft follow these airways, but there are definite exceptions. This screen shot shows the boundaries and airways lighter in color than you would have them.
#6: The cross symbol is a strong radar hit from a large object such as a building. The small dot is a weak radar hit such as a sign or ground based object.
#7: Button to adjust length of aircraft history.
#8: Button to adjust the display range of the radar.
#9: Button to adjust the length of aircraft vectors showing the predicted direction of the aircraft in miles or minutes.
#10: Communication Screen. This is where you type abbreviated commands to the aircraft you are controlling.
#11: Interphone Button, used to establish communication with controllers in adjacent sectors.
#12: Communication window, that has now been replaced on the newer version with a Transmit / Receive lights and Interphone light. All communication is received as actual speaking via your sound card.
#13: Selected traffic intensity (50%). Traffic is only selectable in training.
#14: 'DSIDE' button. This button is pressed when you request a second controller to do your hand-offs when traffic is very heavy. This is a real world feature.
#15: The break button is used when you want to end a session. When you are working a sector and not training, breaks are not issued exactly when you press the button. Another controller has to be summoned and this can take minutes. The game reflects this reality.
#16: Computer entry screen. This screen is used to input commands and requests to the computer which in turn can notify adjacent controllers of your requests. Commands entered can vary from a request to hand-off an aircraft to changes in cruising altitude or temporary altitudes.
#17: Buttons to adjust what the radar displays.
#18: This button brings up another panel to adjust the intensity of the content that is displayed by the radar.
Well, that's a basic walk through of the ATCC screen. There are a couple of striking things that really make ATCC shine. One is the vocal responses from the pilots and other controllers. The response from the pilots is very non-mechanical. You even hear the sound of the aircraft in the background of the communication. The pilots responses range from confident and professional to almost a little cowboy like, which is the way they speak in real life. (i.e. "Allll-righty...Northwest 223 all the way up to 23,000, have a good one") This is just an example. You can actually hear emotion at certain times and even confusion. Some of the pilots act more professional and respond better than others. There are times when you have to repeat the command two and three times for sleepy pilots, or pilots distracted by something else. Another event that happens with realistic frequency is pilots walking over another pilot's call-in. This event is accompanied by a lovely screech and broken communications in your headset.
When talking with adjacent sector controllers, the same level of
emotions can be heard. If they are busy, they can be down right
cranky. If they are bored, you hear that as well. Speaking to other
controllers is mostly used to adjust altitudes or airspeeds of
aircraft not yet under your control. It is also used in the situation
when aircraft forget to switch over to your frequency or other
controllers forget to switch them over.
I found one of the biggest learning curves was memorizing and keeping track of the hand-off altitudes for various situations. You might hand-off this aircraft going there at that altitude and this aircraft going there at that altitude. On top of that you have the requests and overflights as well as aircraft climbing right into the middle of all the action from an airport below your sector. (Whew!) It really pays not to hop from one sector to the next and wait until you are proficient at one sector, but temptation is great!
Xavius is currently working on hands-off (except computer entry) speech recognition and has located hardware just over $100 that will allow the users of ATCC to enter commands verbally. Speech recognition has come a long way and might just be ready for a serious entry into the entertainment market. ATCC was designed by a center controller and the company has a very questions welcome feel to the operation. Xavius was right on the ball from the day I ordered the software. The company also produces a monthly newsletter with great content that is available via there web site.
By Mark Stewart
mcsvls@earthlink.net