UKNET 1 - SOUTHERN UNITED KINGDOM-----------------------------------------------------------------
UKNet 1 is an adventure file for FS4 which provides ATC coverage
for 6 airports in the southern half of the UK and is based on
the outstanding VFR scenery produced by Gemini Simulation of Edinburgh.Files included:UKNET1.CTR - Flight plans and navaids for the UKNET1 network.UKNET1.APT - Airport data for the UKNET1 network.UKNET1.AAF - A text file produced by ATCNet from the previous 2 files.UKNET1.PRF - Preferences file, including aircraft callsign.UKNET1.ADV - The adventure file.UKNET1.DOC - This file.You should also obtain a copy of Jim Ross's HASH.VOC as this is
used extensively by ATCNET. You can run the adventure without it,
but it's an excellent attention-getter. To run the adventure, copy UKNET1.ADV to your FS4 directory and
follow the instructions below.Required:Microsoft FS4.0bMicrosoft Aircraft and Scenery DesignerMallard Aircraft and Adventure FactoryGemini Scenery Packs for W England, SW England and SE England.Note: ATCNet is not required to run this adventure with the Gemini
scenery.If you wish to modify it to run with SD-EUR, you'll need
to download ATCNET.ZIP.Scenery Note: The Gemini scenery is very high density VFR scenery
created with ASD and reproduces the whole of the UK to a
resolution of 100 yds.It is based on the W European Tour Disk,
but does not use that as a basis. Instead, it comes with it's own,
more accurate, .SCN file that covers all of the UK and Eire in
much more detail than the subLOGIC disk. The total installation
takes up nearly 70Mb of hard disk space!!If you've downloaded this file and do not have the Gemini scenery,
it would be possible to use the W European Scenery Disk, but
you would need to use ASD to add Jersey airport and many of the
navaids that are not present. In addition, you would need to amend
the .APT and .CTR files with adjusted co-ordinates because of
errors in SD-EUR. If you wish to obtain the Gemini stuff, their address is as
follows:Gemini Simulation59, Hillpark Ave,
Edinburgh EH4 7AL
UNIITED KINGDOM
Tel: 031-336-1193 (International Callers dial (01144 31 336 1193).General Introduction:ATCNet is a remarkable utility from John Mechalas that takes
user-supplied information on airports and navaids and uses this
to create .AAF files that can then be compiled into .ADV files
using AAF. The adventure provides arrival and departure ATC
coverage for each airport as well as allowing the user to
fly pre-defined routed based on actual airways. UKNet 1 provides
ATC coverage for the following airports:GLL - London HeathrowGKK - London GatwickGBB - Birmingham InternationalGGD - BristolGTE - ExeterGJJ - JerseyUse of the ATCNet Adventure File:ATC Net provides ATC in 2 flavours. On starting the adventure
(Select 1, L, 'UKNET1.ADV'), you will be offered the choice
of Destination Only, or Pre-Defined Routes.- Destination Only. Hit 'D' and you will be offered
the choice of destination airport in the net. If you are starting
from another airport in the net, you will be guided by the
departure ATC at that airport until you are airborne and then
told to 'Resume own navigation'. If you are either starting from
an airport not included in this net, or are starting already
airborne, you will simply be told to 'Resume own navigation'.
Either way, you will need to navigate to within 40 miles of
your destination at which point you will be handed off by Centre
to Approach who will vector you to the final approach fix of
the runway the program has selected based on the current surface
wind conditions. You are then handed off to the Tower.
Frequencies for all the airports are at the end of this file.- Pre-Defined Routes. Hit 'R' and you will be offered
the choice of route you wish to fly. Press 'B' to cycle through
the available routes and 'A' to select the route you require.
The flight proceeds more or less as above except that you will
be directed by the Centre to each successive waypoint until
handed off to approach. Note that at some airports, a clearance
delivery and ground frequency are present, while others only
have tower and departure. Where no ground control is present,
tower will give you taxi and take-off instructions. When
directed to 'taxi to runway XX and hold short' you must come
to a complete stop at the runway and change to the tower freq;
this will not be given to you so it's a good idea to have the
freq handy. Useful Keys. ATCNet provides a number of handy functions
that aid following routes: - The '/' key will bring up the last received ATC
instruction - useful if you've forgotten what altitude you've
been assigned!- The 'W' key gives a readout of your actual course
which enables more accurate tracking of a fix when experiencing
a cross-wind.- Press 'R' when being controlled by a Centre and the
heading from the next waypoint of a pre-defined route will be
given. This is extremely helpful when tracking a navaid which
is out of range. By following the reciprocal of this heading,
adjusted for wind, the navaid will eventually come into range.
This also allows navigation to fixes.Linking Nets: I intend to produce other nets covering the
whole of the UK. It is possible to fly from an airport in one
net to one in another simply by selecting the new adventure file
in flight and then selecting the new airport as the destination
(Option 'D'). Aircraft Types: Obviously, the routes can be flown by any
aircraft that can reach the assigned altitudes, but they've
been designed for medium-sized commuter types such as the Dash-8,
BAe 146, F-50, and my favourite, the ATP. All of these types
are available in LIB 5. The B737 is a reasonable choice for longer
routes such as GKK-GJJ and GBB-GJJ. Routes: All of the routes are fairly short (the UK ain't a
very big place!) and none take over an hour at 250 kts cruise.
Because they are short, they tend to be rather busy! All are
based on the Jeppesen Low Altitude En-Route E(LO)2 chart,
procurement of which is highly recommended. Note also that some
approaches will be a little on the unrealistic side. For example,
an approach to Gatwick r/w 26 from the north will result in a
vector over London that would conflict with Heathrow 27 approaches
which would be in use simultaneously. In reality, ac approach
from the MID and MAY VORs, south of Gatwick, and keep
well away from central London. However, the current version
of ATCNet does not permit this level of sophistication. If it
ever does, I will amend this file. A recommended route is GBB-GLL
at night with a wind favouring r/w 27 (in reality, it would be
27L, but ATC Net does not discriminate between left and right).
You will descend from the 7000' intermediate altitude to 2500'
right over the twinkling lights of Central London, which,
with the Gemini scenery, is spectacular!Future Nets:I intend to produce other ATC nets for the UK based on this
scenery. The next one will be a trip around the Highlands and
Islands following the routes flown by the BA ATPs. After that,
I'm going to work on routes for light aircraft using smaller
airfields and 15 mile diameter approaches. Any feed-back would
