You can use the splitter bar to adjust the size ratio of the two areas. Note that the request list may contain more items than the visible area, so you will need to scroll to see all options. Typically, the most relevant requests appear at the top of the list.

Above the request list, the current transmission frequency is displayed, along with the name and type of the controller listening on this frequency. Since the transmitter’s maximum range is limited, this helps confirm that you are communicating with the correct controller, even if the frequency is set correctly. For example, if you set the Tower frequency while hundreds of miles away from the airport, you might actually be communicating with a different facility that is closer to you but uses the same frequency.

Opening and Closing the ATC Window

You can open the ATC window at any time during flight by pressing the assigned key, which defaults to [Return]. Pressing the same key again will immediately close the window. Additionally, there are other options that affect the visibility of the ATC window:

1. Auto-show ATC message history If the “Auto-show ATC message history” function is enabled in X-Plane Settings > Sound Tab, the window will briefly appear when a message directed at you arrives. Messages from AI aircraft will not automatically display the window to reduce visual clutter.

After a short period, the window will return to its previous state:

2. Manual Window Operation

3. Mouse or Button Interaction

Push-to-Talk

To simplify interaction with the ATC system, you can use the “Push-to-Talk” feature without frequently using the keyboard and mouse. This feature works similarly to communication operations in a real aircraft; you can bind a button on your joystick (usually the trigger or a dedicated transmission button) to the “Contact ATC (Push-to-Talk)” option.

How to use: 1. When holding the Push-to-Talk button, the joystick’s hat switch stops controlling the view direction and is instead used to navigate the ATC command menu. 2. When the Push-to-Talk button is pressed: • The ATC window will automatically pop up. • The currently most relevant command will be highlighted. • Use the hat switch to move up and down to select different commands. • Move the hat switch left or right to select specific sub-options or return to the previous menu. 3. When you release the Push-to-Talk button, the selected message is transmitted to ATC.

Configuration Method This button is unbound by default. You can configure it in the Joystick/Equipment settings page and assign it to your preferred button.

Push-to-Talk Protection Mechanism When using the Push-to-Talk function, the first option in the command list is always “- No Option -”. This prevents unnecessary radio messages from being sent in case of accidental button presses, providing an extra layer of protection.

Frequency List Tab

Manually Tuning Frequency

The smaller ATIS (Automatic Terminal Information Service) panel works similarly, except that clicking a row in this panel sets the standby frequency of your secondary receiver. For example, if you have selected COM1 for transmission, clicking a row here will set the standby frequency for COM2. You can then quickly swap between active and standby frequencies using the buttons on the radio itself.

Finally, there are two checkboxes to enable easy-to-use features. “Auto-tune recommended frequencies” sets your radio to the correct frequency without any interaction. This makes transferring ownership from one controller to another simpler. “Auto-readback ATC messages” saves you the time of clicking a “readback” command after receiving controller instructions. By displaying a text log of all relevant messages, auto-readback reduces pilot workload at critical moments while still allowing for a full review of instructions.

Your radio range is simulated. Your altitude, distance from the transmitting station, and aircraft type are all taken into account. Line of sight is also calculated, so when flying at low altitude over steep terrain, your radio reception quality may drop significantly. As long as you are in range, controllers can always hear your voice; you will never be asked to “Say again.” If you find it difficult to understand the controller, you can ask them to “Say again” as many times as needed. You can always hear the controller owning you with at least strength 1, even if other factors suggest they should be completely inaudible.

Flight Plan Tab

The third tab has two functions. In the upper section, you can set basic information about the aircraft. Usually, this will be set automatically when the aircraft is loaded. It affects the content of radio calls involving your aircraft type, tail number, or flight number. If you wish to change these, you need to do so before interacting with ATC in other ways; in other words, once you have identified yourself to ATC, these details need to remain unchanged until the end of the flight.

If you identify yourself as a commercial flight by setting an airline and flight number, controllers will prefer to assign you an ILS approach even in good weather (VMC). Otherwise, they will prefer to assign a visual approach when possible, and an ILS approach in adverse conditions. In either case, you can request to change from visual to ILS, or vice versa.

You can only change your flight details—tail number, airline, flight number, etc.—before you contact ATC for the first time—because these things never change mid-flight. If you are already on the Runway for takeoff, then you have already “entered” the ATC system; to be on the Runway, you must have already contacted ATC, gone through all pre-takeoff procedures, and received takeoff clearance to get there. This means you cannot change flight details at this point. If you want to change details, start from the gate; flight details are saved as aircraft-specific preferences, so subsequent runway takeoffs will use your preferences. The lower section allows you to file a flight plan.

You can use ATC functionality without filing a plan by requesting flight following, but this is a different method of control.

For information, the current AIRAC data version defining SID/STAR departure and arrival procedures is displayed at the top of this panel. This will match the version used by your FMS for default aircraft. For third-party aircraft using custom FMS units, you should ensure the same AIRAC data version is used if they maintain their own copy. En route altitude is specified in feet and is interpreted according to whether it is above or below the transition altitude. Transition altitude may vary by region or airport. The route is optional. You can enter the names of navigation aids or airways in sequence to tell ATC the route you will follow. Once done, you should stick to this route, as if you deviate too far, you will be instructed to return to it. Multi-segment routes are not supported; enter a route to your first destination, then after landing and parking, file a new plan for the next destination.

If you enter “NO SID” or “NO STAR” as the first element in the route, ATC will understand that you cannot follow procedural departure or arrival routes without additional guidance. You can also check the “Publish procedures by waypoint” box. If you wish to request a specific SID or STAR, you can use its name as the first and last items in the route. Note that this is a request; if the procedure you requested is unavailable for some reason (usually because it doesn’t fit any active Runway), you will be assigned a different procedure. The controller will communicate this information, so you should pay attention to their response and reprogram your FMS if necessary.

You can also ask the system to automatically create a route using VOR/NDB or airways for you. when using airways auto-routing, your requested cruise altitude is used to choose between alternates on low or high airways.

The “Get from FMS” option transfers any route existing in your FMS (including procedures) into the “Route” box. This makes it easy to load routes saved by external planning services, provided the AIRAC data versions match. Note that the route is still a request, so you still need to pay attention to the exact route cleared. “File and Set FMS” does the reverse, sending the route from the flight plan dialog to both the FMS and ATC. The “File Flight Plan” option also submits your plan to ATC. At this point, you are ready to request clearance for the plan.