Global ATC background Chatter

Just a heads up, whilst creating a mod for a sim that won't be named, I came across something called FS-ATC. After taking a look, with a simple python script, the MP3 files can be used by the Aerofly DLL. For example, you could tune to various frequencies in the aircraft (ground/Tower/Etc). The Aerofly DLL can export your nearest airport and phase of flight and play the correct real-world ATC chatter for your region. The add-on is not free, though; I purchased it just for the sound clips, around 3 GB worth.

• The clips are categorized by world region
  • United States: 16,290
  • Europe: 17,379
  • Canada: 12,609
  • South America: 925
  • Asia: 7,858
  • Africa: 683
  • Oceania: 4,204
• Clips are edited to remove any glaring location-specific information. References to specific SIDS, STARS, Ramps, Taxiways, Runways, and way-points are not changed.
• Clips are organized by controller so when you are tuned to a specific controller type on your radio you will hear clips associated with that controller.
• Each clip has its audio volume adjusted so that all clips have roughly the same volume level.

Test build

Happy to share the dll and code, just need to confirm it's ok to post a link to commercial software? It is a very nice addition to the sim, especially the seamless integration into the radio panels.

Quote from Jugac64

If you don't mind, I will add this here for our future reference, nice GUI.

Btw, it is possible to sync FS4 to live weather and UTC time for your current location; the DLL exposes everything needed and syncs the sim.

I've set it to check real-world weather periodically, then auto-adjust the sims visibility smoothly over fixed periods of time. If the devs eventually expose temperature, pressure, and winds, they could all be sourced from https://aviationweather.gov/

Quote from Jugac64

Wow, did you mean you could modify the weather while you are in a flight without going to the menu? I hope so!

I can keep the visibility and time synced to the real world, so if parked in Doha with 1 mile visibility the Sim auto-adjusts (much more granular than the menu adjustment). The sim will gradually adjust visibility en route as I pass METAR stations, then the visibility at the arrival destination will be correct. Updates are every 2min on ground climb/decent. Every 30mins in cruise.

No need to touch the menu for time and visibility.

I don't think I can do the same with temperature and wind, but I am taking a look at workarounds.

If we could adjust wind via the dll, we could access the free winds aloft data online, and also import regions with Clear air turbulence, windshear, etc.

Its really down to what the devs allow us to access via the dll.

For the ATC database, you can purchase it here. I guess the devs can remove the link if we are not allowed to share. It's been 24hours already.

Disclaimer - I make zero money from this! or my Mods

Quote from Jugac64

Oh! if just clouds and wind could be changed in the flight, that would be perfect.

Wind and temp might be doable; clouds, I highly doubt, not even sure how the smoothing or transitions would work. Wind, temp, and pressure are important to me, since they have a huge effect on aircraft performance. I can wait until the devs spend time creating clouds/storms/weather radar. Having rain in the sim is my number 1 request

I've created a small PowerShell script to see how granular I can make adjustments. Time seems to be locked in perfectly to UTC or any time I choose; I'll spend some time tonight checking if wind or temp is feasible; I doubt it, though 🙁

Quote from Jugac64

Oh! if just clouds and wind could be changed in the flight, that would be perfect.

I've spent quite a bit of time figuring out how this all works. Unfortunately, unless the devs expose the wind etc, we can only read the telemetry.

I've discovered that you can do quite a bit with METARs. I did a test flight from Doha to New York; it uses an algorithm to blend visibility at certain altitudes and reads the local weather from nearby stations, plus the departure/destination METAR.

Visually, it felt a lot more realistic. I also added fog patches and freezing fog that can be read from the METAR file. This can hook directly into the aircraft's anti-ice system, and check sigmets for severe icing based on location

Direct law triggered by icing from real weather in Anchorage. I converted mild icing into severe icing, and disabled the pitot heat