Flight Simulator Tutorials: Being an Air Traffic Controller on Multiplayer FS

Tutorial

Air Traffic Controlling can make the flight simulator experience much more fun for anybody. Air traffic controlling itself can be fun, but at the same time is stressful. Being ATC is a very stressful job (especially in real aviation). To control, you must have good focus.



Starting

To start, you will first want to learn ATC phraseology and procedures. You must know the functions of clearance, ground, tower, approach, and center. You must know atc communications and what to say. A good course to start out would be to take VATUSA's CBT course on ATC. It is a series of slideshows which teaches ATC in-depth. One thing to keep in mind here is that this tutoeial is intended for servers like Downwind, FSATC, Green Fly, etc. VATSIM and ultra-realistic networks can require intense training and bookings with an instructor. This article DOES NOT train for VATSIM and other networks that require in-depth training. To start, you will need some sort of air traffic controlling software, such as Little Navmap, VRC, or Euroscope. Most ATC software is free. This tutorial uses Little Navmap as an example.

To start off with Little Navmap, first downlaod the ZIP file. Extract it, and click on the globe icon to run Little Navmap. Then, boot up FSX (we are using FSX as an example in this tutorial). Install all the FSX scenery. Next, run multiplayer FSX and join a discord or teamspeak tower, ground, approach, or center voice chat. When FSX loads in completely, press ALT+ENTER to run FSX in windowed mode. Switch to Little Navmap, and start controlling.

Controlling

Before you control, first choose a server to control on. There are many servers to choose from. Downwind, FSATC, Green Fly, Mr. Bales, etc.
fsATC
FSATC is a very large server and uses a strips system for flight plans. It is one of the more well-known FSX servers.

Pros
Large
Strips System
Organized

Cons
Owned by a known Con-Artist
Owner sued former owner to take over the server
Strict Staff Team

Downwind

Downwind is a server which is based off of fsATC, except owned by the original founder of fsATC. It has a strips system and is a rather large server.

Pros

Strips System
Friendly Staff
Earth ATC Each Friday
Organized

Cons

Still a large network, but a small one compared to others

Green Fly

Green Fly is an FSX server based in Ireland. It unfortunately does not have a strips system, though.

Pros
Large
Organized

Cons

No Strips System
No chance for any appeals

Mr.Bales

Mr. Bales is a large fsx server with free flight communications and atc communications.

Pros
Large
Free Flight Chat

Cons

Not organized
No Strips System

I hope you chose a good server. The choice for a server really depends on what you want and your skill level. Not much experience? Go for Green Fly. Some experience? Go for Downwind. But really, the choice is yours. Happy controlling!