So i have been using Pilot2ATC and yes it is decently better than the default MSFS ATC… However the few issues I have or don’t understand is:
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P2ATC will tell me there is traffic near me but in the sim there is not another plane around?
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If have a STAR selected as I fly IFR I will just get cleared to the final altitude for descent to catch the glide scope… Now as far as I know this is not at all realistic as ATC actually steps you down… But when I do not have a STAR then I am just going direct to the runway and it is impossible to line up with ILS… What am I doing wrong?
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This is hit and miss and is more a sim problem then P2A. As I run AIG airways can get “busy” so I just turn the airborne alerts off
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If you file a STAR and ATC clears you to the FaF altitude, then you are cleared all the way and can use VNAV to get down, or step yourself down.
If you do not file a star and get vectored to final, then ATC will give you your clearances for each step down.
Lastly, make sure you are running the latest public Beta. Lots of fixes and features since initial public release.
I will have to try again without the star… I do know I was worried I was not going to get stepped down so I asked for enroute descent and they cleared me from 38,000 to 2,000… Also do you let simbrief build your flight plan or do you have P2A build it?
You are cleared the the altitude ATC gives you so if they cleared you to the final altitude you need to be at to capture the GP, then you are cleared down and have to get yourself down.
I use Simbrief but build the plan myself (I choose my fixes and altitude) then import that into the Sim, Pilot2ATC and Little Nav Map.
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Okay thanks, also if not using a star would you then delete the star out of your flight plan in the sim?
As I am currently flying GA, which often doesn’t use SID’s / STARS I get vectored.
I have my departing airport, fixes, arriving airport. En route center will advise me to expect vectors to the RNAV approach for runway xx (as I have approaches randomized could be RNAV, VOR, DME, etc…)
Then I’ll be told to turn left or right heading xxx vectors for the approach maintain altitude, then as you get vectored around you also get your altitude clearences.
Here are my current settings.
If you want to use the SID/STAR and runway you selected in your plan, then you need to turn on the “Force” options. Those override what P2A thinks you should use and forces your selections.
Mainly I just want to figure out how to get the ATC to step me down instead of just clearing me all the way down.
This is the flight plan I have from simbrief does this look like it will step me down?
What do you have in P2A?
Click “Config” and then “FLT Pln”.
Someone else can chime in but when using a STAR, I don’t know that ATC will assign you each altitude, or just clear you to the FaF altitude and then you use VNAV to get down, or manually get yourself down / step down.
I’m not a pilot so I’m unsure of how it works in the real world myself, but it seems to make sense they would just clear you down to the FaF when entering a STAR, because the STAR is what steps you down and you ride VNAV down per the STAR altitude/speed restrictions.
IRL when ATC. tells you to “Descend via” a STAR, it means the STAR has altitude restrictions at specific waypoints. You should follow the STAR’s lateral path, and descend at pilot’s discretion to meet any published altitude restrictions along the way.
Pilot2ATC descend instructions when using STAR also uses the same terminology.
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I asked a real pilot and this is correct. If you are CLEARD for a STAR then it is the pilots responsibly to fly the STAR meeting all ALT and SPD restrictions, if you can’t meet a restriction you must notify ATC immediately and they will take you off the star and vector you or possibly give you permission to carry on, but this is rare he thinks, he has never been allowed to do it. He said SIDS unless it is a hard restriction often get busted with the blessing of ATC, as they just want you away from the Airport. Post COVID he tells me this has changed?? or you just get a direct-to off the SID.
If you dont have a STAR or one is not available they will step you down. The pilot told me IRL they will sometimes get really tight instructions such as be at 210Kts and at FL140 by X waypoint to which the pilot will often reply “I can slow down, or go down, but I can’t do both” A STAR is designed to avoid this giving you plenty of time to both slow down and get down.
Generally Speaking he said Pilot2ATC is very good, it is just the phrasing can be odd (This was almost a year ago however)
He also said, often you will get near the end of a STAR and ATC will take you off it anyway, Which P2ATC does do at times.
Just regards to Pilot2ATC, does it do things like vector you in etc
Can it be used without speaking back?
Yes, you dont need to speak, has menu options.
Option for co-pilot does most of the work, and change frequencies. You have to request clearance delivery, taxing and takeoff ( with menu options)
The only issue I am having is with PMDG 737. Not worked out why yet. Its a fantastic Product if you dont want todo Vatsim.
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