 |
What is a TRACON?
TRACON is the acronym for Terminal
Radar Approach CONtrol facility. It's the
particular facility in the complex Air Traffic Control system that
is concerned with sequencing aircraft into and out of major
airports where the traffic volume requires one for safe passage of
aircraft.
This is your chance to experience the high-stress world of being
an Air Traffic Controller with ATC Simulator - the
most complete and most authentic Air Traffic Control simulator ever
released for the personal computer.
ATC Simulator puts you inside the TRACON - at over
48 U.S. TRACONs - and in front of a real radarscope as the
departure or approach controller. You are the controller and it's
your job to safely sequence the aircraft, carrying thousands of
passengers, for arrivals and departures in your busy airspace.
Experience for yourself why Air Traffic Control has the reputation
of being the most stressful job anyone could ever undertake.
The Challenge:
The basic challenge of the TRACON, specifically approach control,
is that you have aircraft entering the terminal airspace of the one
busy destination airport from all directions. There may be none for
a few moments and then 5 might arrive all at once. Your role as the
approach controller is to systematically sequence and safely
separate aircraft by issuing radar vectors to a final approach
point where they can fly their approach into the airport. When a
controller's job is done properly, aircraft are lined up no less
than 3 miles apart flying down the glideslope for a particular
runway, also known as the "string of pearls". Sounds easy? Think
again! All you need is a 1 minute delay anywhere in the system or
some bad weather and you're then going to have to stack them up in
a holding pattern and then pick them off one at a time for landing
when a slot becomes available. That might sound easy too&..
until they start reporting that they're getting low on fuel. The
approach control part of ATC Simulator simulates this
process with uncanny realism. Solving the dynamic 3D puzzle is very
addictive and will keep you glued to the scope of ATC
Simulator for hours and hours on end. This is a very useful
package for any IFR student, pilot, or aviation enthusiast.
System Requirements:
Pentium II 300mhz or higher, Windows 98/2000/ME, Soundblaster, and
headset (optional) for voice recognition features. |