Introduction to Flight Simulator ATC

The basics of simulated air traffic control

Interactive air traffic control (ATC) is one of the most exciting features of Flight Simulator. You'll have plenty of company in the skies, and you can ask for and receive clearances, be warned of air traffic near you, get vectors, and hear controllers speaking to other aircraft.

You do not have to interact with the ATC system in order to fly in Flight Simulator; ATC is an enhancement to the Flight Simulator world, but you can still fly from one place to another without communicating with anyone until you're ready to use the ATC system. When you start using ATC in Flight Simulator, take advantage of the Autotune feature, which can tune the radio for you and lessen your workload. (For more information, see Using the Autotune Feature.)

New ATC Features in FS2004 (FS9) "A Century Of Flight"

In this version of Flight Simulator, you can now

• Request an IFR clearance while airborne.
• Request a destination change while flying under IFR.
• Request altitude changes while flying under IFR.
• Request full procedure approaches.
• Request nonprecision approaches.
• Request to land at any runway at airports with multiple active runways.
• Request any active approach at airports with multiple approaches.
• See taxiway signs-you'll now be more easily able to follow taxi instructions from ATC.
• ATC detects IFR weather conditions and refuses takeoff and landing requests by VFR aircraft.

Learning More about ATC

No single article can provide an extensive education in all the complexities of the real-world air traffic control system, but after reading this page you'll have enough information to use the ATC system in Flight Simulator. Along the way, we'll include references that will let you explore the wider world of ATC and radio communications.

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) offers a wealth of information about all aspects of flying. Their recent yearly membership was $45.00 for which you receive a monthly magazine and access to many other helpful online features. Both Pilots as well as non-pilots and Virtual Pilots can join. Their online website features many areas of interest which are accessible to non-members.

Although this Learning Center's articles include advanced topics for instrument-rated pilots, this isn't some secret information that you're barred from if you're a novice. Once you get more experience under your belt and learn the system, you can make use of the advanced topics, too. For help with unfamiliar terminology, see the ATC Glossary.

Novices

If you're new to Flight Simulator, you'll have more fun if you first learn to fly using the Flying Lessons. Once you feel comfortable at the controls of one or more of the Flight Simulator aircraft, take the time to read through the various ATC articles and learn how to use ATC and radio communications. You'll need to understand how the system works and have a basic familiarity with the language of ATC. Beginners often find the Autotune feature helpful; it will tune your radios to new frequencies automatically (see Using the Autotune Feature ).

Intermediate Users

If you're an experienced Flight Simulator user but are unfamiliar with air traffic control, take time to read through the
Learning Center's ATC articles. You'll learn how the ATC system works and learn how to operate within that system in Flight Simulator.

Advanced Users

If you're a pilot or experienced simulator user, you may want to jump to the sections Using ATC in Flight Simulator and Real-World Differences.

Getting Started in ATC

Remember to use the numbers along the top of the keyboard when making choices from the ATC menu. The numbers on the numeric keypad (usually on the right side of the keyboard) are assigned to other functions in Flight Simulator.)