Mandatory Reasoning for Request Denial and Pilot Query Option

Overview:
In Infinite Flight, pilots sometimes encounter situations where their reasonable requests—such as runway changes or specific departure routes—are denied without explanation. As a pilot myself, I’ve experienced instances where my valid requests have been denied without any clear operational reason. This lack of communication can lead to confusion and disrupt the flow of operations. To address this, I propose a feature that requires controllers to provide a clear, standardized reason for any denial using a pre-determined list of explanations. Additionally, pilots should have an easy option to query the denial if they need further clarification.

Comparison to Real Life:

  1. Real-World ATC Communication:

    • Clear and Transparent Communication: In real-world air traffic control (ATC), when a pilot’s request is denied, controllers are required to provide a clear explanation for their decision. This explanation helps the pilot understand the reasoning behind the denial, whether it’s due to traffic conflicts, runway closures, or safety concerns. For example, if a pilot requests a runway change that isn’t possible due to incoming traffic, the controller will inform the pilot of this conflict.
    • Interactive Communication: Pilots in real life have the ability to ask for clarification if they don’t fully understand a controller’s instructions or the reason for a denied request. This interactive communication ensures that both parties are on the same page, leading to safer and more efficient operations.
    • Safety and Efficiency: The goal of clear communication in real-world ATC is to maintain safety and efficiency. By understanding the rationale behind ATC decisions, pilots can make informed decisions and adjust their operations accordingly, leading to smoother and more coordinated traffic flow.
  2. Current IFATC System:

    • Lack of Explanation: In Infinite Flight, when a request is denied, pilots receive no explanation as IFATC does not have the option to provide a reason. This can lead to frustration and confusion, as pilots may not understand why their request was rejected, especially if it seems reasonable and doesn’t appear to negatively impact operations.
    • Limited Interaction: Currently, there is no built-in system for pilots to easily query the reason for a denial in real time. Pilots may be left guessing or have to reach out to the controller after the session on the forums, which isn’t always practical or efficient during busy operations.

Proposed Feature:

  1. Mandatory Pre-Determined Reason for Denial:

    • Reason Codes: In Infinite Flight, controllers would be required to select a reason from a pre-determined list when denying a pilot’s request. This list could include options like “traffic conflict,” “runway closure,” “weather conditions,” or “operational constraints,” mirroring the explanations given in real-world ATC.
    • Controller Interface: Controllers would have a simple interface to choose the appropriate reason from the list, ensuring that every denial is accompanied by a standardized and clear explanation.
  2. Pilot Query Option:

    • Query Button: Introduce a straightforward option for pilots to request clarification when their request is denied. This could be a “Query Reason” button that pilots can press after a denial to immediately see the reason chosen by the controller.
    • Automatic Reason Display: When a pilot queries the denial, the system would display the reason selected by the controller, helping the pilot understand the rationale behind the decision without needing further communication.

Benefits of the Proposed Feature:

  • Increased Transparency: Just as in real-world ATC, where pilots receive explanations for denials, this feature would ensure that pilots in Infinite Flight are provided with clear reasons for denied requests, reducing confusion and frustration.
  • Efficient Communication: With an easy query option, pilots can quickly access the reasoning behind a denial, allowing them to adjust their operations accordingly without unnecessary delays or misunderstandings.
  • Realistic ATC Experience: Implementing a system that mirrors real-world ATC practices, where communication is clear and interactive, would enhance the realism of Infinite Flight’s ATC experience.
  • Standardized Explanations: Using a pre-determined list of reasons ensures that explanations are consistent and reliable, similar to the standardized phraseology used in real-world ATC.

Personal Experience:
As a pilot in Infinite Flight, I’ve encountered situations where my reasonable requests were denied without explanation. For example, I once requested a runway change that would not have disrupted traffic or safety, but the request was denied without any reasoning. In real life, I would expect a clear explanation from ATC for such a decision. This feature would bridge that gap and bring Infinite Flight closer to real-world ATC practices.

Conclusion:
Introducing a system where controllers must select a reason for denying requests, along with an easy-to-use query option for pilots, would significantly improve communication and transparency in Infinite Flight. By aligning with real-world ATC practices, this feature would enhance the realism and effectiveness of the simulation, providing a better experience for both pilots and controllers. Thank you for considering this feature request!

If the reason for the denial isn’t on the list, the controller might need to reconsider the request—because they’re probably in the wrong! 😜

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Eh, sometimes there can be more spontaneous reasons to deny it, or in general the traffic flow would be harmed.

Here’s my thoughts on this: the pilot query option should be removed entirely, as that’s asking for controllers on busy airports to be overloaded, while an ATC controller should optionally be allowed to explain their decision. There will be a predetermined set of reasons, however there will also be a simple “Send” option without reasoning.

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Thanks for the response. While I understand the concern about overloading controllers at busy airports, I believe the query option is essential for maintaining transparency and ensuring that pilots understand the reasoning behind denials—just as in real-world ATC.

If a controller has the ability to deny requests without offering any reasoning at all, it can lead to confusion and frustration for pilots, especially when their requests are reasonable and don’t seem to impact traffic flow negatively.

Also, it’s important to note that Infinite Flight already provides controllers the option to deny requests without giving a reason—simply using the “Unable” command for a quick denial without an explanation. This feature request is about adding more clarity when needed, not forcing additional workload on controllers who are already using quick denials.

A pre-determined list of reasons and a query option won’t overload the system but will create a balance between efficiency and communication. After all, pilots deserve to understand why their requests are being denied, especially when those decisions affect their experience.