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PSX ATC Robot and ToD...

Started by cagarini, Fri, 20 Jan 2023 07:55

cagarini

Sorry if this has been asked before - I guess I once posted about this very same subject, but I couldn't find it using the Search function :-/

I usually play PSX using short flights, like from Madrid Barajas (LEMD) to Lisbon Humberto Delgado (LPPT).

The flightplanning software I use is now Simbrief, I export the flightplan to the Aerowinx format and place it in the Routes folder. During preparation I upload it to the FMC, add the necessary SIDs / STARs and go flying.

I enjoy the default ATC, which is simple to use and can be tricky to listen to (just like IRL at times) and I use it all of the time, but at least in this short hops I always face a type of situation where I am already way past my ToD, and sometimes the next waypoint even shows a "B" constraint, and the active ATC agent never contacts me to initiate the descent?

Should I, under the Human / ATC menu manually alter the "Initial Cruise Alt" to my next stepdown Alt?

If I don't do nothing, and keep waiting for the ATC to give me a new Alt I usually am really close to the destination to be able to descend in time, and have skipped the Alt constraints in between :-/

Any suggestions really welcomed!

Hardy Heinlin

Just descend at your discretion.

cagarini

Ah, ok. I confess that's what came to my mind, but I thought it could "confound" the Center 😁

Thx Hardy!

Hardy Heinlin

The DES clearance occurs at random before, at, or shortly after the T/D. It could also be that you missed the SELCAL on HF. Listen to the dong chime sound and check the CALL light on the HF. If you want to avoid HF stations, you may enter a VHF frequency in the Center edit fields.

cagarini

Quote from: Hardy Heinlin on Fri, 20 Jan 2023 08:40The DES clearance occurs at random before, at, or shortly after the T/D. It could also be that you missed the SELCAL on HF. Listen to the dong chime sound and check the CALL light on the HF. If you want to avoid HF stations, you may enter a VHF frequency in the Center edit fields.

Hmmm, now that you mention it, that's most probably the culprit!

Cbf

I often fly with robot ATC. I have no problem with descent clearance.
When in cruise or even above FL150, you can try to fly with CPDLC. That way you may "deal" the descent clearance when approaching T/D.
If you fly with voice ATC, as Hardy said, be aware that Enroute centers will contact you with SELCAL.

cagarini

Thank you Cbf, and indeed it makes sense.

I hear the chime, but I didn't remember how to deal with that :-/  Assumed at first it was from cabin and often turned the respective button ON in the ACP...

Hardy Heinlin


cagarini

#8
Quote from: Hardy Heinlin on Fri, 20 Jan 2023 22:13Scroll down to "SELCAL":
https://aerowinx.com/board/index.php/topic,3866.0.html

Perfect!
Thx!

EDIT: It was the SELCAL chime for sure. Now I always start by changing all of the frequencies in the Human/ Voice ATC menu to VHF, and when I hear the chime I PTT, and usually the stepdown instruction comes soon after.

Sorted out!

Oscar744

#9
hello, why when i call ground after pushback and eng start ground tell me to call tower for taxi, when i call tower they give me taxi instructions, i remember in PS1 ground give you taxi instructions then before entering the runway ground tell you to call tower?

before TOD center ask me to call approach, is this correct?

Cbf

Hi Oscar,
Just before TOD, center call you (Selcal) in order to contact APP. APP will give you a squawk code. After a while, APP will give you a descent clearance.
 

Jeroen Hoppenbrouwers

Of course in reality over land, "center" sectors also carry lower traffic so the chance is high that your last few "center" sectors are after ToD. PSX is simplified in this aspect, sort of assuming that you take off in Miami, go feet wet in a few minutes, and land in Lisboa, after 99.9% oceanic.

Although not absolutely realistic I think this simplification where "center" means cruise on HF and "approach" means climb/descent on VHF isn't really disturbing.

And, as Hardy said,
QuoteIf you want to avoid HF stations, you may enter a VHF frequency in the Center edit fields.

Hoppie