Hello, today I have a question rather than a request, yet…
With the advancements in artificial intelligence, how viable would it be to implement AI-controlled ATC in Infinite Flight? I’m specifically referring to areas without IFATC coverage, such as FIRs, oceanic flights, small airports, or any uncontrolled airspace at a given moment. The goal would be to fill these gaps, which don’t exist in real life, and enhance realism within the simulator.
We know that not all users treat the sim with 100% realism or are familiar with real-world procedures. So Thinking hypothetically… It might be interesting to introduce a new Expert Server with additional requirements, such as a small test to assess pilots’ knowledge or an interactive tutorial to train them in ATC usage and general simulator procedures.
What do you think? Do you see this as a possible or viable feature in the future?
It could be… but if we wanted to let our imagination run wild, AI could authorize VFR or IFR flight plans, divert you due to weather conditions (maybe in the future when Project Metal is complete), function as TCAS, etc. The possibilities are limitless.
Obviously, all of this is very complex for a mobile simulator, but maybe, as you said, starting with something basic would be a good idea.
I’m not sure. I would definitely love it IF added a center unicom, but I have no idea how effective AI would be for ATC. I mean, you could keep the current system of preset prompts, and have the AI assess which prompts need to be said at which times. I think that could work super well for centers and perhaps departure. I think approaches would be harder to get right, since that has so much more to do with spacing and vectoring. But I think it definitely could be a future possibility!
if we are on the topic of artificial intelligence, I think they would start smaller and more basic as a testing ground.
places where i could see AI before Controlling ATC
there could be a button on the UI that you could request a flight plan. you input the dep icao,arr icao and aircraft and it could go to simbrief and get the flightplan and copy it to clipboard or have it on hand so we can input it as we do currently with simbrief
Ai could be used to check atis and amend flight plan when recommended stars an sids sre given.( like you could click on the arr icao and where we normally see the D-atis and weather, the AI could give a promt saying that your STAR doesnt match the recommended and if possible amend it itself)
IFAI( thats what im calling it) could just be used for small things in the UI, like estimated delay while departing or arriving at a busy airport ( this could be seen when selectign an airport to spawn at or while clicking on the airport circle(?) on the map when arriving.
it could also be used to help ifatc showing recommend holding patterns and way to vector the incoming aircraft, the sequence of arriving aircraft to follow for least incovenience. Instead of fully controlling it could be guidance
To close, in my opinion AI ATC is viable but I dont think that we would see it in the immediate future. there are definetly more staff-inducing things in the pipeline like the neo and now the 787-9 rework. That being said, if they were going to develop non-human controllers, i believe AI would be easier to implement than coding every response. then again who am i to speak
it could be in the jason’s wishlost to help with blogs too who knows
Interesting to think about. Would really appreciate if there would be a world wide ATC coverage. But the AI must also recognize if a player is AFK or in AP+ and ignore them for any kinds of advices. Also, the IA ATC should not be allowed to give any violations. It would be nice to see and somehow I think that the IF Staff is already thinking a lot of implementing AI into the sim.
AI atc in my opinion needs some work and can be quite complex. For example the one’s on mfs2020 are quite trash for a advanced simulator. Unless we integrate some third party like beyond atc, pilot2atc etc wouldn’t have much hope to make it happen.
like we will live the real life experience, I mean when we have an additional server that covers 80% of airspaces and airports with all ATC units and it must have more orders for example when the airspace is crowded and there were many airplanes the AI ATC will assist each airplane with the direction and altitude and speed to avoid collisions and crashes, also it would be great idea if there is an opportunity to merge the AI ATC with IFATC users.
This will help to create a better experience in Infinite flight!
