There have been many sensations in the flight simming world, few programs, let alone freeware programs, however, have come close to the instant popularity of Pro Controller and Squawk Box.
Perhaps an explanation of what these programs are would help. Pro Controller allows somebody to become a virtual air traffic controller to pilots flying in the simulators. Taking on the position of a certain airport's air traffic controller, Sydney Tower, or Chicago Departures for example, you are presented with a radar scope similar to the ones found in a real airport's control tower. The radar shows all the airports, navaids and aircraft flying in your sector.
You communicate with the pilots via the communications window which operates in a similar fashion to the COM radio on a plane. The pilot tunes his COM radio to the correct frequency, then using Squawk Box, he communicates with the control tower.
Squawk Box is little more than a window to send and receive messages in. As you fly, you gain clearances the same way you would in a real plane.
A typical transcript might be:
SYD_TWR : VH_ABC - Turn left heading 230
VH_ABC : Roger, left heading 230
SYD_TWR : VH_ABC - Intercept runway 25 ILS (109.2). Report when established on final approach.
VH_ABC : Roger, intercepting runway 25 ILS
VH_ABC : Established on final
SYD_TWR : Roger, 6 miles to run
VH_ABC : Overhead outer marker
SYD_TWR : Clear to land runway 25, 4 miles to run
VH_ABC : Roger, clear to land 25
SYD_TWR : 2 miles to run
SYD_TWR : 1 mile to run
SYD_TWR : Welcome to the airport. Exit runway via taxiway Delta. Contact ground on 122.7
VH_ABC : Roger, 122.7 good day.
In this transcript the pilot has gone from approaching the airport to landing and contacting the ground controller on 122.7 after landing. Of course, it doesn't always go quite so smoothly!
As with most flight sim sensations, a myriad of organisations and groups follow it. So far several of these groups have popped up, and they all appear to be promising.
One of these organisations is the Simulated Air Traffic Controllers Organisation (SATCO). SATCO has lots of tutorials, which are all very informative. Ranging from ATC terminology to reading an approach plate, it's all there for taking. You can get to SATCO by following the link at the bottom of the page.
To help coordinate regular sessions of Pro Controller / Squawk Box, OzTower has been set up by a group of Australians. It is still very new, and the help section isn't complete yet.
OzTower runs 'newbie' sessions to assist new pilots / controllers who are confused or would like to learn more about ATC procedures. These sessions, run each week, have several experienced controllers running them and provide a more forgiving environment to learn in.
Virtual Airlines around the world are taking advantage of the Sqawk system by allowing its pilots to be connected to the Squawk Box server while flying. This will greatly increase the realism of the pilots' flying.
Creating sectors is extremely easy. A text file is created showing the Latitude and Longitude of all the VORs, fixes, airports, runways etc. Then all you have to do is load it up and start controlling.
I would imagine that the most requested feature from users is to be able to see other aircraft. Unfortunately this hasn't been done and the only way I know of to do it over the net is with Fly-By-Wire which isn't free.
To fly with Squawk Box, MS Flight Sim for Win95 is required and an understanding of ATC procedures helps. Pro Controller doesn't require any flight simulator, just Win95.
The entire system is well worth a look; it certainly removes the feeling of being the only person in the sky, and adds a whole new dimension to your virtual flying.
To help you, here is a list of SQAWK servers to try:
These servers are up 24 hours a day and are for public use:
Paul Jenkins (T1) 206.225.203.129
AVSIM Magazine 198.77.183.236
John Green 24.112.48.182
Ozpack Scenery Group 203.38.128.129 *
Alex Pinheiro Machado 200.9.105.34
* Server for Australian connections only.
Visit the homepage here: http://www.netxn.com/~jgrooms/atc/