PilotEdge...

[RayS]

What this last WF has given me is a lot more confidence in my radio comms. The Beech is still in the hangar getting a new wiring harness installed but once out I'll get her back in the air.

I am currently listening to PilotEdge and on came the unmistakable voice of our very own Mike, as "Cactus 722"...

(Probably the best professional on PE at the moment. Guys busting Class B left and right out there!)

[NedH]

Can you listen to PE without joining?

[Bob Reed]

Can you listen to PE without joining?

Funny, I was going to ask the same thing! 

[Sam Llorca]

Don't think so!

http://youtu.be/hHKTh9NlCg0

[KyleH]

Should be able to:

http://www.pilotedge.net/pages/pilotedge-receiver

[Sam Llorca]

I guess we can then, thanks Kyle.

[coma24]

In case you're wondering where that link is on the site, the Pilot Center has a 'listen to live ATC audio' (bolded link). Also the, the 'listen to ATC audio' link from the home page takes you to the ATC archives page, but the top of the archives page says this: "You can also listen to live audio from your Mac or PC using the PilotEdge Receiver," with the appropriate link.

We did our best to make it visible

Also, we're working on a long-haul solution for PilotEdge, exploring the possibility of opening up some additional airports that will cater to the jet guys.

[RayS]

The Seattle Airspace is ripe with sim pilots! <hint hint!>

And yes.. I am using the PilotEdge ATC receiver. I was really surprised at how many pilots were busting Class B, landing on the wrong runway or even landing without clearance.

I guess it's better to work out the ATC bugs on PilotEdge than in real life.

[coma24]

Ray,

Yes, everyone wants their home airspace covered. "When are you going to cover Kansas?! I can't possibly have a meaningful sim experience without my home airport!"   I say that tongue in cheek, but you get the idea. We hear it all the time.  I actually live and fly in NY/NJ but find no appreciable difference between flying on PE on the west coast and real life on the east coast.

That said, we're still going to try to expand with a specific focus on jet pilots.

Regarding the pilot deviations, yes, it's a training environment and some people are less prepared than others. On any given day, out of the 150-200 typical operations that take place on the network, we normally see 5-8 reported deviations. It's higher than the number of real world violations, but that's what I would expect. If a pilot is flying well below a reasonable standard, though, and is not willing to take steps to adjust their process, then they are removed from the network to prevent disruption to network operations. There is a line

[sagrada737]

Hi Guys,

PilotEdge is the cats Meow! Over...  It's rare to find services these days that truly deliver on their promises of capability, performance, and quality.  I have found that PilotEdge does an amazingly good job of covering all these bases.  Yes...   It's true that the coverage is not extensive, but it is certainly more than adequate to give anyone serious about flying in an ATC environment.  There is enough airport/ATC mix,  that it is hard to imagine anyone running out of variety flying within PilotEdge's coverage.

The cool thing about PilotEdge is that it is virtual, yet it is not.  By that, I mean that you are talking with real people (ATC Controllers) as you fly in an ATC environment that is very much like the real ATC environment one would experience flying anywhere.  As you fly from one airport to another, you are faced with the same complexities that need to be handled correctly within the flight deck as you would consider flying in a real aircraft.  PilotEdge is serious, but also a good training environment that helps to refine flying, navigation and communication skills.   And Yes!  In certain flight scenarios, PilotEdge will make you sweat as you try to manage the  flight deck while IFR in an ATC environment.  This is especially true if you haven't flown in a while.  Also, since most of us fly single-pilot IFR, this ups the ante as you try to stay ahead of the aircraft real time, which by the way is the same issue in a real aircraft when we are a bit rusty at the controls

To me...   When I connect to PilotEdge, I have all the same issues in front of me as when I would plan to fly a Route in a real aircraft.   With PilotEdge, you don't just get in a go, you have to be prepared, plan, and think clearly about what you are doing - just as you would have to do when flying a real aircraft in a real world ATC environment.   I like the fact that PilotEdge offers at a fair price, the ability to for us to fly our Sims in an ATC environment that is same or very close to the real deal.

Also, I definitely like the hours of operation that PilotEdge offers.  I can connect most anytime I want from 8am to 11pm PT 7 days a week, which affords me flexibility for my Sim flight time.  As far as coverage goes, it's plenty for me, and I expect PilotEdge to expand as necessary according to market demand, which is a sensible business approach to staying in business.   Yep!  PilotEdge in my book is a winner!  Give it a try...

Mike

[coma24]

For those wondering how it's different from VATSIM. The quick answers are:
- limited coverage area
- guaranteed ATC (8am-11pm Pacific) 363 days/year
- real world frequency usage, no controller list...you want to talk to SFO ground? Dial SFO ground frequency. This means you get many more frequency changes than you would on a typical VATSIM flight
- ATC are hand picked and trained to a standard that isn't feasible to implement on VATSIM
- PilotEdge has a subscription fee (which facilitates the 15hr/day staffing), VATSIM is free

It really comes down to whether ATC is a must-have or a nice-to-have, and whether you are comfortable with the limited coverage area. If you carve out time to use your sim, away from your family, either for entertainment or flight training, how badly do you want to have high quality ATC on your flight, each and every time? The answer to that question should help you decide which network is right for you. If you could go either way, save your money and use VATSIM. If predictable ATC and realistic radio usage is an important factor, then the decision should be pretty easy. The two networks are actually very different in what they offer and how they operate.

Here are the airports within the PE coverage area that are utilized by Part 121 air carriers (for those wanting to fly transport category jets):
SFO, LAX, LAS, SAN, SNA, PSP, ONT, BUR, SBA, IFP, GCN, LGB, SBP, NYL, CRQ

That makes for a healthy number of city pairs. There are 40 towered airports in total that are covered. We are hoping to expand the city pair list with a creative expansion project in the relatively near future.

Thanks for the glowing review, Mike. As promised, we will release your family, unharmed.

[Trevor Hale]

LOL Thats funny Keith. 

Sounds like something I will try out one day.  I think it is a great thing to have, Many years ago, (Before sim building) I used to run an FSHOST Server and would have guys joining while a couple of us would give ATC.  A Friend of mine would control KLAS and I would Control KPHX, basically we had a ball.  The two of us would give ATC via FSNAVIGATOR. (Remember that software) LOL

In any case, seeing something else pop up is great, and I do agree that VATSIM isn;t always guaranteed.  I Try to locate populated airports and thats where I choose to do my flights.

In any case, Thanks for the information and I appreciate you being a part of this community.

Trev

[sagrada737]

You are welcome Keith...   Keep the kids, but return the wife - she's my trusty First Officer   

By the way - I find that PilotEdge is a great way to flight test not only the Pilot, but the Sim as well...   As it exercises many of the functions on the Flight Deck. 

Keep up the good work Keith.  Great product and great service!

Mike

[JustinWheat]

What is there to say negative about Pilotedge? Absolutely NOTHING!!! Keith and the team do any outstanding job each and everyday providing the best ATC for the customers. I have enjoyed every single moment on the network since I became a member. It's as close to the real world as flight simulation ATC is going to get.