While flying in MSFS24 I found it nice to see additional communications being available besides COMs like “Group” and “Intercom”.
However to me there is especially one communication “channel” missing which is “Ramp Agent”.
While on airliners this is also handled through intercom in general communication with the ground personell is never handled through the ground/delivery frequencies on an airport.
“Ramp Agent” as it’s own tab could provide a general and more realistic solution. It could simulate direct interaction with the staff standing around the aircraft and could take the following tasks from the ground frequency:
- Requesting GPU (if supported by the aircraft)
- Requesting ASU (whenever available and supported by the aircraft)
- Requesting start of deicing (on appropriate positions whenever available)
- Connecting tug and starting pushback (including chock removal)
- Place/remove chocks and covers as an option
Also it would be nice to see some parts being overhauled:
- Allow navigating through options of the ATC panel while communication is going on - currently this is blocked. Even if ATC is talking to another virtual aircraft I’d like to be able to quickly change frequencies or see my options.
- “Intercom” should be able to be used in free flight. There are at least two options which would make sense in the base sim: a) start of boarding (to be removed from the ground frequency), b) start deboarding (aka “Cabin crew - all doors in park”).
- At gates type parking positions stairs and jetways should be already connected to the aircraft so there is no need to call them separately. After landing stairs and jetways may automatically connect after switching off the beacon light as the ramp agents know what to do
To be able to use the “Ramp Agent” options it could also be bound to:
- Intercom being the selected active option (airliners, using headphones), OR
- the pilots window to be open (GA, shouting to the outside)
- Both options are overwritten if the radio assistant option was selected, obviously