Think you can handle the pressure? - Introducing OpenTargetGenerator!
Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2017 9:13 am
After observing FlightGear ATC sessions on many occasions, I have come to the conclusion that many controllers lack basic prioritisation and organisational skills when it comes to controlling a somewhat larger number of aircraft than they are used to. Not an isolated problem, as I've also seen it happen on VATSIM regularly.
Just like anything else, these skills require practice and exposure to high volumes of traffic. However it is really difficult to get that kind of practice on FlightGear multiplayer. So I have come up with a little tool which mimics how real world (and VATSIM) controllers train.
If you are not familiar, this is similar to ATC-pie's "student/teacher mode". However, my implementation is completely different.
With OpenTargetGenerator, simulated aircraft are connected directly on a multiplayer server and driven by someone who acts as an "instructor/teacher", who also pretends to be the pilot for each aircraft for voice communication purposes. Another person can act as a controller, who will issue instructions just as if these were real aircraft, then the instructor reads-back the instruction and types the appropriate command. Of course if you prefer, you can run a whole simulation by yourself, which would be similar to ATC-pie's solo mode.
By connecting aircraft directly to a multiplayer server, the controller can use whatever ATC client he prefers, not just ATC-pie. Also, unlike ATC-pie's implementation, OpenTargetGenerator is designed to be as efficient as possible. Aircraft can follow a pre-defined route from waypoint to waypoint with a vertical descent profile, intercept an ILS approach, and descent on a glidepath all automatically. Thus making the job of the "instructor" as easy as possible.
All data for a simulation session is stored in an xml file, which defines the starting position of each aircraft and a few other parameters.
Here are two timelapse videos to showcase what is possible:
PHX East flow, staggered ILS. 27 aircraft total within 35 minutes; this is very close to the real life maximum arrival rate in IMC conditions at PHX.
EHAM rwy 06 only. 17 aircraft total. Not as busy as the one above but still a good amount.
These simulations are not only skill enhancing, they are also very fun and rewarding. In fact if anyone is interested, I would be more than happy to run a scenario with you on mumble and maybe provide some advice along the way, just let me know.
The main github repo is here: https://github.com/christosci/OpenTargetGenerator
The repo for XML scenarios is here: https://github.com/christosci/OpenTarge ... -scenarios
If you are wanting to contribute more scenario files, provide me with your username and I will add you as a collaborator.
Just like anything else, these skills require practice and exposure to high volumes of traffic. However it is really difficult to get that kind of practice on FlightGear multiplayer. So I have come up with a little tool which mimics how real world (and VATSIM) controllers train.
If you are not familiar, this is similar to ATC-pie's "student/teacher mode". However, my implementation is completely different.
With OpenTargetGenerator, simulated aircraft are connected directly on a multiplayer server and driven by someone who acts as an "instructor/teacher", who also pretends to be the pilot for each aircraft for voice communication purposes. Another person can act as a controller, who will issue instructions just as if these were real aircraft, then the instructor reads-back the instruction and types the appropriate command. Of course if you prefer, you can run a whole simulation by yourself, which would be similar to ATC-pie's solo mode.
By connecting aircraft directly to a multiplayer server, the controller can use whatever ATC client he prefers, not just ATC-pie. Also, unlike ATC-pie's implementation, OpenTargetGenerator is designed to be as efficient as possible. Aircraft can follow a pre-defined route from waypoint to waypoint with a vertical descent profile, intercept an ILS approach, and descent on a glidepath all automatically. Thus making the job of the "instructor" as easy as possible.
All data for a simulation session is stored in an xml file, which defines the starting position of each aircraft and a few other parameters.
Here are two timelapse videos to showcase what is possible:
PHX East flow, staggered ILS. 27 aircraft total within 35 minutes; this is very close to the real life maximum arrival rate in IMC conditions at PHX.
EHAM rwy 06 only. 17 aircraft total. Not as busy as the one above but still a good amount.
These simulations are not only skill enhancing, they are also very fun and rewarding. In fact if anyone is interested, I would be more than happy to run a scenario with you on mumble and maybe provide some advice along the way, just let me know.
The main github repo is here: https://github.com/christosci/OpenTargetGenerator
The repo for XML scenarios is here: https://github.com/christosci/OpenTarge ... -scenarios
If you are wanting to contribute more scenario files, provide me with your username and I will add you as a collaborator.
