ATC-SIM

[maccapro]

Ok so for some people who like to pass time on computer games or sitting at the computer listening/reading pager messages etc why not give your mind a tingle and attempt your hand at an Air Traffic Controller Simulation

gotohttp://www.atc-sim.com

It simple and easy to learn:

ATC-SIM is a web-based air traffic control simulator. No plug-ins or additional software are required to play.

Objective

Controllers must route arriving and departing aircraft both safely and accurately.

Safe Separation Standards

Your job is to ensure that aircraft are separated by either of the following criteria:
Laterally — 3 miles
Vertically — 1,000 feet

Commands

All commands are in the format:
FlightID + Command + [Command String].

Takeoff

FlightID T

** Departing aircraft must first be assigned an altitude.

Landing

FlightID L [runway]

** Arrivals must be within 3,000 ft of ground level to accept
a landing clearance.

Clearances

FlightID C [command string]

Sample command strings:

3 digits = Set course to heading xxx.
1 or 2 digits = Cleared to altitude n x 1,000 ft.
OBK, DPA, ... = Set course to a VOR station.

Examples:

ANYID C 035 = Set course to 035 degrees
Will cause the airplane to turn to this heading.
Note that leading zeros are required.
ANYID C 3 = Cleared to 3,000 ft.
Will cause the airplane to climb or descend
until the required altitude is reached.
ANYID C 12 = Cleared to 12,000 ft.
ANYID C OBK = Cleared to OBK (Northbrook) VOR station.
Will cause the airplane to set course to OBK.
ANYID L 27R = Cleared to intercept and land on runway 27R.
Will cause the airplane to maintain present
heading until it intercepts the runway center
line, then follow the approach path to land.

Expedite

Optionally, altitude clearances may be expedited by adding "X" or "EX" after the command string. This will cause the aircraft in question to climb or descend at twice its usual rate. (This does not apply to clearances given to aircraft that are still on the ground.) For example, ANYID C 14 EX will be understood to mean "climb/descend to 14,000 feet, expedite". It is considered poor form to overuse "expedite".

Limitations on landing clearances:

Landing clearances will only be accepted if the ACTUAL heading of the airplane is within +/- 60 degrees of the runway centerline (for 27R / 27L, this is 270) and the ACTUAL altitude is 2,000 ft (or close enough to this value to intercept the approach glide-slope). Clearing an airplane for landing PASSED the runway center line (i.e. you cleared the airplane too late) may cause the pilot to fail to detect the approach glide-slope and continue on the interception heading. Clearing an airplane for landing from a heading which does not intercept the runway center line will cause the pilot to keep flying on this heading without ever detecting the approach glide-slope.

Speed

FlightID S [speed]

** Arrivals will automatically slow for landing.

Abort takeoff/landing

FlightID A

** Landing aircraft will only "go around" if they are not already
on the ground.

Progress Strips

Flight information such as Flight ID, heading, altitude, aircraft type, and destination are printed on progress strips.

Progress strip (departure)

Bright yellow indicates a departure. In this example, SWA113 is Southwest Airlines flight 113. It is currently holding at runway 12R and is at the field elevation of 618 feet MSL. This aircraft is a Boeing 737-700 and has requested clearance to fix FONTI.

Progress strip (arrival)

Pale yellow indicates an arrival. AZA518 is Alitalia flight 518. It has been cleared to a heading of 261° degrees and an altitude of 2,000 feet. However, the down arrow indicates that it is descending (that is, the aircraft is still above 2,000 feet). The aircraft is a Boeing 767-300, and "Arrival" means that it has requested clearance to land.

** Clicking on progress strips will automatically enter the Flight ID into the command text box.

Flight Data Displays

Flight Data Display

Each "blip" on the radar screen will have a corresponding Flight Data Display that shows you the aircraft's real time altitude and speed. In this example, American Airlines flight 810 is descending through 3,200 feet, and is cruising at 240 knots.

** Clicking on flight data displays will automatically enter the Flight ID into the command text box.

Sample Departure

SWA113 C 19
Cleared to 19,000 feet.

SWA113 C FONTI (optional)
Cleared to nav fix FONTI immediately after takeoff.

SWA113 T
Cleared for takeoff.

Sample Arrival

SWA113 C 2
Cleared to 2,000 feet.

SWA113 C 080
Cleared to compass heading 80° degrees.

SWA113 L 12R
Cleared to land on runway 12R.

Handoff

When a departing aircraft is within 1 mile of its requested nav fix, and if it is at least 4,000 feet above the surface, then it will be handed off automatically to the nearest enroute control center.

Messages

Every time you issue a command, a brief confirmation message will appear in the lower left of your browser's window.

If you're using Firefox and can't see the messages, you can enable them by going to the "Tools" => "Options ..." menu. Press the "Content" (globe) icon on top. Next, press the "Advanced ..." button to the right of "Enable JavaScript". Finally, put a check next to "Change status bar text" and click "OK".

If you're using Internet Explorer 7 and can't see the messages, you can enable them by going to the "Tools" => "Internet Options ..." menu. Select the "Security" tab on top. Next, select "Custom level" for the Internet (or Restricted sites) zone. Find "Allow status bar updates via script" and change the setting to "Enable".

Map Scale

To see scale mileage markers at the edge of the radar display, type SCALE. Type SCALE again to make the markers disappear.

** Yes, the runways have been deliberately enlarged to facilitate ease of play.

Performance Statistics

If at any time you want to see how well you're doing, type STATS to see a breakdown of your performance.

High Scores

When you are finished with the simulation, type QUIT or EXIT and your statistics will be entered into the high score table.

[Mathew]

These sort of games are good, it's just too hard to learn the commands though.


Cheers,
Mat

[Stretch]

Jesus that sounds difficult. I will however look at it

[alinco21]

So this is where the ATC get their training from.

doing a little of pre testing them Glen??

Paul.

[Mathew]

No
Real Air Traffic Controllers use a speech recognition system but on actual ATC consoles (TAAATS Training System).


Cheers,
Mat

[maccapro]

yeah im trying to get some pre training in at the moment but yeah the real one its the TAAATTSS system or how every many T, S and A's there are

[Stretch]

Thanks a bloody lot.

Now I'm friken addicted to it

Problem is it never stops - so i keep playing

[Mathew]

yeah im trying to get some pre training in at the moment but yeah the real one its the TAAATTSS system or how every many T, S and A's there are

Yeah, I wouldn't worry though. They will teach you EVERY single thing you need to know, you don't need any prior ATC experience at all.
Actually, games like these may make it harder for you to work real ATC due to game conditions and what not (if that makes sense)

BTW, I remember it like this.. It's pronounced TATS, but the spelling is tripple-a. TAAATS.


Cheers,
Mat

[Daniel]

I know a couple of air traffic controllers. One Civvie and one RAAFie. Although the Civvie one isnt really a air traffic controller anymore but he was for about 15 years, now he designs flight checkpoints and paths and still works for airservices Australia.

If anyone is interested in a career in air traffic control, it is a high stress job, I've seen it first hand when I was in a Air Traffic Control Approach room (military one). There is a difference between civvies and RAAFies. RAAFies get a variety where as the civvies have to specialise in one area. So military is probably more exciting because of the variety however Civvie earns more money.

The screens airservices australia use in the center and approach rooms are big and modern, whereas the military ones are a lot smaller and the room isnt as high tech, although the ACO's sit on the other side.

If anyone wants a career in ATC its high stress but if you are keen on the job and you are generally interested in aviation then it would be a great career. I personally couldnt handle it because of the stress factor.

Oh and this game yeah its pretty hard, I think there is another one like it, it has a few easier commands.

Good luck any applicants

Daniel

[Mathew]

Hey Daniel. Awesome information there mate!
I'm looking at a career either in ATC or as a Train Driver. Both pay quite a decent salary and have a passion for both, so I'm not sure.

My main problem with making my mind up is the mathematical skill needed. Are you able to give me some info regarding how much math knowledge is needed, and what type?


Cheers,
Mat

[Stretch]

My planes crashed. Kept playing for like 6 hours (just left the game paused over like 3 days) and i told two planes to land on the same runway going opposite directions. Oops

[maccapro]

hahah well done stretch im sure the idea is not to land them on the same runway but each to their own i guess

[hotmetal1000]

My planes crashed. Kept playing for like 6 hours (just left the game paused over like 3 days) and i told two planes to land on the same runway going opposite directions. Oops

LOL, that would be interesting.

[Daniel]

Hey Daniel. Awesome information there mate!
I'm looking at a career either in ATC or as a Train Driver. Both pay quite a decent salary and have a passion for both, so I'm not sure.

My main problem with making my mind up is the mathematical skill needed. Are you able to give me some info regarding how much math knowledge is needed, and what type?


Cheers,
Mat

Hey mate,

I will give you a more detailed PM with a lot more information. But for everyone elses information the mathematical skills needed is a pass in Year 12 maths I think, but it doesnt really go in with you into ATC all you really need to be able to do is know that Flight level 350 is 1000 ft verticle difference from Flight level 340. Of course it helps if you know units like miles because they use that a lot in ATC.

If anyone wants me to PM them with a more detailed description just let me know and I will send you a PM.

[Comint]

------ Snip -----
Of course it helps if you know units like miles because they use that a lot in ATC.

And remember that Miles in aviation are Nautical Miles (1.85 km), NOT Statue Miles (road miles - 1.6 km). I believe this came about because, in the early days, aircraft were considered to be Air SHIPS.

--
Comint