Communications: Difference between revisions

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== Air Traffic Control ==
== Air Traffic Control ==
{{ATC-navbar}}'''Air traffic control''' ('''ATC''') is a service mostly provided by ground-based controllers who direct [[aircraft]] on the ground and in the air. The primary purpose of ATC systems worldwide is to separate aircraft to prevent collisions, to organize and expedite the flow of traffic, and to provide information and other support for pilots when able. In some countries, ATC may also play a security or defense role (as in the United States), or actually be run entirely by the military (as in Brazil).
{{Main article|Air Traffic Control}}


=== FlightGear and ATC ===
[[FlightGear]] provides various systems for [[ATC]] experience.
[[FlightGear]] suppots several ATC systems.


* '''ATC chatter:''' to hear some random records of real-ATC, enable "Chatter" at the <tt>File > Sound Configuration</tt> dialog.
* '''ATC chatter''' (enable "Chatter" from the <tt>File > Sound Configuration</tt> dialog): plays random records of real ATC communications, probably best left disabled if going for multi-player mode with voice communications
* '''ATIS:''' set COM1 to the ATIS frequency to hearr ATIS for the choosen airport. Unfortunately this is broken in FlightGear 1.9 and 2.0.
* '''automatic ATIS''' generated from current METAR (tick the somewhat misleadingly named "ATC" sound configuration option): set COM1 to the ATIS frequency of the closest airport to hear a faint broadcast automatically generated by FlightGear—in a controlled multiplayer session and with FGCom turned on, you may hear a proper ATIS if it was recorded by the ATC, so always tune in first!
* '''[[FGCom]]''' (enable it from the multiplayer menu): for voice communications over the [[Howto: Multiplayer|multiplayer]] network.
 
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* '''Multiplayer text-chat:''' occasionaly someone plays the "tower" at the [[Howto: Multiplayer|multiplayer]] server by using the [[ATC-aircraft]]. You can communicate with <tt>Multiplayer > Chat Dialog</tt> or by using [[Chat Menu|predefined messages]] with <tt>Multiplayer > Chat Menu</tt>.  
* '''Multiplayer text-chat:''' occasionaly someone plays the "tower" at the [[Howto: Multiplayer|multiplayer]] server by using the [[ATC-aircraft]]. You can communicate with <tt>Multiplayer > Chat Dialog</tt> or by using [[Chat Menu|predefined messages]] with <tt>Multiplayer > Chat Menu</tt>.  
* '''[[FGCom]]:''' as an alternative to text-chat, there is the ability for voice communications over the [[Howto: Multiplayer|multiplayer]] network. Be aware that not all controllers/pilots have FGCom.
-->
 
=== Related content ===
* [[ATC-FS]] an ATC aircraft with flightstrips.
* [[ATC phraseology]] lists common phraseology and their meanings.
* [[ATC Tutorial]] to find out how ATC should be used.
* [[ATC best practices]] lists a number of best practices to be followed in controlled areas.


== ATIS ==
== ATIS ==

Revision as of 20:33, 11 March 2015

CTAF/UNICOM

Airports (in the United States) lacking a tower are sometimes served by a UNICOM radio. The UNICOM frequency gives pilots a common channel to communicate their intentions to other pilots in the vicinity of an uncontrolled airport.

It is generally required that pilots of aircraft having radio equipment permitting two-way communications should contact the Airport UNICOM to obtain advisory information and announce their intentions when within ten (10) miles of the Airport. Pilots are also encouraged to maintain a listening watch on the frequency when operating within a ten mile radius of the Airport. All departing aircraft shall announce on the UNICOM their intention and runway to be used for departure.

On initial contact, pilots report altitude, aircraft type and identification, and location relative to the airport and state their intention, to land or overfly.

Pilots give a status report on downwind, base and final approach.

FlightGear UNICOM

FlightGear does not fully implement UNICOM entirely. UNICOM works best in multiplayer, where you actually have listeners.

  • To access UNICOM, press the dash key (-) to enter the radio chat menu. Press the number that corresponds to '[XXX TRAFFIC]'

(where 'XXX' corresponds to the airport you are closest), then choose your message.

Air Traffic Control

1rightarrow.png See Air Traffic Control for the main article about this subject.

FlightGear provides various systems for ATC experience.

  • ATC chatter (enable "Chatter" from the File > Sound Configuration dialog): plays random records of real ATC communications, probably best left disabled if going for multi-player mode with voice communications
  • automatic ATIS generated from current METAR (tick the somewhat misleadingly named "ATC" sound configuration option): set COM1 to the ATIS frequency of the closest airport to hear a faint broadcast automatically generated by FlightGear—in a controlled multiplayer session and with FGCom turned on, you may hear a proper ATIS if it was recorded by the ATC, so always tune in first!
  • FGCom (enable it from the multiplayer menu): for voice communications over the multiplayer network.


ATIS

The Automatic Terminal Information Service is broadcast from most airports, informing about active runways, weather and conditions, exceptional airport information, etc. It is typically recorded every half-hour by controllers and looped over on a published frequency for pilots to listen before making contact.

Tuning

Most radio racks have similar controls. As an example look at the Kx165 VHF communication transceiver and VHF navigation receiver.

Transponder

Wikipedia: Transponder

External link