Who's in the tower, and why arent you fired?

[BillG]

Actually the need to change frequencies is real.  I've noticed that the sector changes (the reason for the frequency change) are pretty close to real world.  I've never had enroute vectors, I usually file GPS-direct, or airways.  The only vectoring I get is the last part of the flight on the way to the approach.  Then I usually bypass that by picking an approach that has a transition fix, which allows me to fly direct to that fix and the approach with no vectoring.

I'm an instrument rated private pilot so I have some real world experience with this. Maybe it's just the flights I've done in FSX, but they are nothing like my real world experience. FSX ATC gives you a frequency change and as soon as you get there they give you another, often right back to the one you were on. What I've seen is not like the real world and it seems like it ought to be fixable.

Same with the constant heading changes. In the real world heading changes are infrequent. Usually ATC lets you navigate and only gives you heading changes when they need you to avoid something else. The constant back and forth is not real.

[Deviant]

The constant back and forth is not real.

This is my biggest gripe with ATC.

[Fr. Bill]

The vectoring in on arrival isn't so bad. The thing that really bugs me is the constant changes while enroute...turn 20 degrees right, now turn 20 degrees left, now 20 degrees right, back and forth without stop. That along with the constant need to change frequencies. It's just not like that in real IFR flight.

This constant heading change is simply because ATC isn't aware of the winds aloft. If you plot out all the heading changes they ask for, you'd readily see that all they are doing is keeping you on an averaged vector...

In short, if you want to avoid this happening, make the necessary heading corrections to account for wind speed and direction and ATC will shut up.  :o

Of course, you should be doing this anyway as PIC...  ;D

[DaveSims]

1. The reason for the frequencies shifting back and forth is sometimes you just catch a corner of one sector, then right back into the other sector.  In real life, the controllers see this happening and work it out among themselves, to prevent you having to change frequencies.  FS does not have that ability.

2.  I dont' think the vectors are only because of winds, but they do factor in.  FS wants you on a very narrow course, and if the vector they give you leads you a few degres off course, they turn you again to get you back.  Problem is FS is not able to average it out and just give you one heading.  Which FS only gives vectors during the approach segment of your flight, during cruise they use the term "resume own navigation."  

My biggest complaint about FS ATC is the lack of actual separation, which is why ATC exists in the first place.  I've had very near mid-airs at FL350 in my Boeing/Airbus/Lear due to crossing traffic, and all ATC does is give me a traffic advisory.

[NickN]

[quote]

[BFMF]

I recently noticed that if you're on a VFR flight and have been cleared to land, the tower will also clear an aircraft to land on the same runway, landing the opposite direction. I've observed it a few times now.

I was once coming into Felts Field in Spokane, and had been cleared to land on 21R. As I was on final, I noticed an aircraft also on final for 3L. I was told to go around. I went around the pattern, and was once again cleared for 21R. As I was coming in on final for 21R, I saw yet another aircraft on final for 3L. I was told to go around. I finally requested 21L and landed without any problems.

To reduce a lot of congested airspace problems, EVERY time I'm on an IFR flightplan and have started my descent and have been told to expect runway/approach X, I request another runway and approach. Works like a charm....

[DaveSims]

[quote]

The first and third videos weren't really near misses, those aircraft had the separation required.  I'm talking about a matter of a few feet.

[Mattace64]

Thanks for all the great feedback everyone!

-At the very least... the aircraft on the ground ready for takeoff on the runway in which you are approaching are (at least with my experience) instructed by ATC to hold.  So that's good, because that would be really annoying.

-Yes to Psovod...  I agree that the simultaneous landing of two aircraft on the same runway is the biggest problem...  What I usually do is circle once at whatever point I happen to be at in my final approach... Let the AI aircraft get out of the way (land, go around, whatever) then land.  Not a terribly realistic flight pattern, but for a flight sim. it could be worse...

-I myself am not too bothered by the constant heading changes...  I usually fly VFR with direct GPS so I don't get that...  But I do see how it could be annoying.

*It would just be nice if they kept us out of harms way.

[Slotback]

[quote][quote]

[NickN]

http://uncutvideo.aol.com/tags/airlines ... e0?index=0

as real as it gets