ICAO - EU - UK ATC Phraseology Mod V3.0

Discussion Hub Tools & Utilities
228

The important thing is that you MUST parse the UserCfg.opt, because that will contain the path the user selected when installing the sim, and that can be anywhere.

1- The UserCfg.opt file is always located in one of these folders:

MS Store version:
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\Microsoft.FlightSimulator_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache

Steam version:
%APPDATA%\Microsoft Flight Simulator

2- Read the UserCfg.opt file and parse it until you find a line containing this:

InstalledPackagesPath

The line contains this string followed by a space and then the path of the installed packages, which contains the Community folder, which is enclosed in double quotes.

229

Ok guys, I’ll let it rest for now, I think I reached the best compromise with the current ATC system.

The installer now creates a timestamped back-up every time the installer is run, so using the mod is completely safe now, you won’t accidentally overwrite and loose the original file, there is always a back-up created.

I’ll keep it up to date with Asobo patches and updates and improve as new features are added to the core ATC system.

Cheers :clinking_glasses:

3 Likes
230

Hi, if you are still interested in doing this, it is relatively simple now to modify anything you want. The .ps1 file can be opened in notepad.

On each line there are two strings of text, one is what the installer is looking for in the original file (so don’t change that), the second is what it will be replacing it with. Then “text” is what is shown on the ATC window “tts” is what will be spoken.

I think it’s quite easy to modify whatever you want. Just save the .ps1 file and done.

231

Hi.

First of all thanks a lot for this mod. I’ve been using it ever since it first came out and it’s a terrific improvement.

On another note:
Could someone upload the original en-US.locPak file for me, please? I accidentally deleted the backup file :-/
Thanks

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232

I will DM you when I’m behind my computer.

Edit: check you inbox :smiling_face:.

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233

Thank you!

1 Like
234

I’ve included my 100+ page complete guide to proper radiotelephony! I wrote the first version of this years ago and it has been used extensively in real world flight training. Its part of a way bigger project I’ve been working on during my “COVID off time”. It includes tons of real world examples!

6 Likes
235

Congrats and thanks on the excellent production of the “Airline Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge” included with this utility.

Nevertheless, in the interests of accuracy and pedantry, I believe AFAIK, the multiple references in the handbook to the ‘refraction’ of radio waves off of the ionosphere, for example, should, in fact, refer to ‘reflection’. TIA

236

I’m not on expert but this is what I get when I Google Ionospheric refraction of radio waves:

Wikipedia:

At medium wave and shortwave frequencies (MF and HF bands) radio waves can refract from the ionosphere.[b] This means that medium and short radio waves transmitted at an angle into the sky can be refracted back to Earth at great distances beyond the horizon – even transcontinental distances. This is called skywave propagation . It is used by amateur radio operators to communicate with operators in distant countries, and by shortwave broadcast stations to transmit internationally.[c]

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237

I stand corrected, sorry – in mitigation, I could have sworn I tried a search for ‘ionosphere refraction’ but couldn’t find it (although I can NOW, of course – Doh! ﴾͡๏̯͡๏﴿ ).

In yet further mitigation, the ionosphere does ‘reflect’ radio waves – for example, on the NASA website “The Effects of Earth’s Upper Atmosphere on Radio Signals” at https://radiojove.gsfc.nasa.gov/education/educ/radio/tran-rec/exerc/iono.htm – you will find a reference to ‘reflection’ but not ‘refraction’! Go figure!

238

This is a good question! I like this explanation better: (Ionosphere - Wikipedia)

Since the ionosphere is a plasma, it can be shown that the refractive index is less than unity. Hence, the electromagnetic “ray” is bent away from the normal rather than toward the normal as would be indicated when the refractive index is greater than unity.

In short: it is a refraction but to the same direction as an optical reflection.

2 Likes
239

FYI - Typos and suggestions, in penance for ‘reflection’ error…

23 / 109
“… although is can serve as a backup …”
suggest
“… although it can serve as a backup …”

37 / 109
“… Talking to close to the microphone …”
suggest
“… Talking too close to the microphone …”

37 / 109
“… Wiskey …”
suggest
“… Whisky …” or “…Whiskey…” as preferred ಠ_ಠ

40 / 109
suggest ‘LOOK OUT FOR [traffic / runway obstruction],[clockface / compass direction],[altitude]’ in ‘Standard Phraseology’???

45 / 109
“Regional-jet 347, descent to altitude 5000 ft, QNH 1020”
suggest imperative verb ‘descend’, to replace noun, (even if there is no discernment in speaking or hearing) re: direction to pilot to comply, et al.
“Descend FL80, Regional-jet 347”
…
“Regional-jet 347, descent FL80”
“Descent to altitude 5000 ft, QNH 1020, Regional-jet 347”

45 / 109
“… The word “TAKE OFF” is only used when an aircraft is cleared for takeoff. At all other times, the word “DEPARTURE” is used…”
suggest explanatory example, such as ‘For example, “Holding short runway 27, ready for DEPARTURE, CALLSIGN” or “Traffic advisory, Runway 27, for DEPARTURE to the West”’ ???

46 / 109
“Generally, controllers will avoid passing a clearance to a pilot engaged in complicated
taxiing manoeuvres and in NO occasion when the pilot is engaged in line-up or take off
manoeuvres.”
suggest “… on NO occasion when …” or " … in NO circumstance when …"

I’m only half-way through your excellent manual. Pls advise if you find this useful and I’ll take a look at the rest.

240

Thanks! I’m aware there are a lot of typos, I’ll fix them!

1 Like
241

Callsign should come first, so other on Freq immediatly know it is NOT for them, while Regional-jet 347 hears their callsign, and is triggered to pay extra attention.

ie

“Regional-jet 347, Descent to altitude 5000 ft, QNH 1020,”

Take extra care to avid the words “to” and “for” close to altitudes and headings, or any numeric part of an instruction. !!

to confused with TWO
for confused with FOUR

242

According ICAO the phrase “to” is used in relation to altitudes and heights immediately followed by the phrase “altitude” or “height”. With flight levels it is omitted.

243

Yes, ground to air should also start with callsign. Air to ground should start with callsign for initial contact and new request or callsign should be placed at the end for readback.

1 Like
244

Yes that is an option, remove the phrase “radar” or “control” completely and then modify each ATSU manually. But that is a buttload of work.

So, where exactly do I have to remove them?

Also, I have noticed that some countries there have they FIR and UIR combined, as for example:
“ATCCOM.AGENT_NAME RIGA FIR/UIR.0.text”: “Riga”

245

I can remove it in my next version, you can replace it with “” and its gone.

ATCCOM.CENTER.0.text": “Radar”,
ATCCOM.CENTER.0.tts": “Radar”,
ATCCOM.AGENT_CENTER.0.text": “Radar”,
ATCCOM.AGENT_CENTER.0.tts": “Radar”,

I also found a mistake also, the last two lines are both .text now instead of one .text and one .tts

If its combined there isn’t much to about it, all other UIRs should be Eurocontrol.

So there are two solutions:

  1. Either change “radar” with “control” but then everything is called control instead of radar
  2. Remove “radar” completely and add the phrase “radar” or “control” to each ATSU individually and change each UIR to “Eurocontrol”

Option 1 is less work but less realistic. Option 2 will cause all un edited ATSU to appear as just the name of the ATSU without “control” or “radar” which isn’t completely unrealistic though.

246

I think changing the name of all European centers is less a hassle, but do you know which exactly are called Control and Radar?

P.S. Do you know is there any option to change the capitalized name in the ATC chat?

247

I know a lot of them from experience but not all of them.

I’m wondering what happens to the approach control, I hope it doesn’t become “Schiphol control approach” for example. But I think those are connect to the airport name which is a different line.