Learn how to use voice ATC in a flight simulator: choose AI or live controllers, set up your microphone and PTT, tune radios, and fix common faults.
To use voice ATC in a flight simulator, choose either a voice-recognition ATC add-on or a live controller network, connect a headset microphone, assign push-to-talk, tune the correct COM frequency, and speak standard phraseology. Built-in ATC often reads responses aloud but may still require menu selections rather than recognising speech.
Which type of voice ATC should you use?
Choose AI voice ATC for solo flying at any time, or live online ATC when you want to speak with human controllers. Microsoft Flight Simulator, X-Plane, Prepar3D and FSX handle built-in ATC differently, but hearing a computer-generated controller does not necessarily mean the simulator accepts spoken replies.
| ATC system | Microphone input | Best for | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in menu ATC | Usually not | Simple offline flights | Replies are selected from a menu |
| Voice-recognition add-on | Yes | Solo IFR or VFR practice | May expect specific phrases and require an internet connection |
| Live controller network | Yes | Human ATC and realistic procedures | Requires a pilot client, correct radio operation and available controllers |
Our breakdown of menu ATC, speech recognition and live controllers explains this distinction in more detail. If you want an automated system, compare the practical differences in our guide to voice ATC add-ons and controller networks.
How do you set up voice ATC?
- Confirm what accepts your voice. Check whether speech recognition is built into the simulator, supplied by an add-on, or handled by an online-network pilot client. Enabling text-to-speech or ATC voice audio alone does not enable microphone input.
- Connect and select the microphone. A headset is preferable because speakers can feed controller audio back into the microphone. On PC, allow microphone access in the operating system and select the same input device in the ATC application.
- Assign push-to-talk. Bind an easily reached button in the add-on or pilot client, not just in the simulator. Remove duplicate bindings that operate brakes, views or another radio function at the same time.
- Calibrate the input level. Normal speech should register clearly without clipping or constantly opening the microphone. Avoid aggressive noise suppression if it cuts off callsigns and short words.
- Prepare the aircraft radios. Switch on the electrical and avionics systems, place the frequency in the active rather than standby window, and select the correct COM radio for transmission on the audio panel.
- Test a short call. Hold push-to-talk, pause briefly, speak clearly, then release it. Voice-recognition software may provide a microphone test or display the words it understood.
For live human control, the pilot client must also be connected under the same callsign used in your flight plan. Our VATSIM microphone and push-to-talk setup covers the extra client, headset and frequency checks.
What should you say to voice ATC?
Start an initial call with the controller being addressed, your callsign, your position and your request. For example: “Ground, G-ABCD at general aviation parking, information Alpha, request taxi for a VFR departure.” Listen before transmitting so that you do not speak over another pilot.
Read back safety-critical instructions such as runway assignments, hold-short instructions, headings, altitudes, squawk codes and route clearances. AI ATC may only recognise phrases from its documented command set, so use concise standard wording rather than conversational requests. Human controllers can understand more variation, but still need a clear callsign and readback.
A mistake we see constantly is pressing push-to-talk and speaking immediately. Give the client a fraction of a second to open the microphone, and keep the button held until the final word has been transmitted.
Can voice ATC be used on consoles?
Console support depends on the simulator and the ATC system. External voice-recognition programs and online pilot clients are commonly designed for PC and cannot simply be installed on Xbox or PlayStation. Console users need voice ATC that is built into the simulator or provided through an explicitly supported companion arrangement.
The same caution applies across simulator versions: an add-on compatible with one Microsoft Flight Simulator release, X-Plane edition or Prepar3D generation may not work with another. Confirm simulator, platform and aircraft compatibility before configuring the microphone.
Why is voice ATC not hearing or answering you?
Most failures come from the wrong input device, a missing microphone permission, an unassigned push-to-talk button or a radio frequency left in the standby window. Check these in order:
- The microphone level moves in the operating system and ATC application's test meter.
- The correct input device is selected rather than a webcam, controller or monitor microphone.
- Push-to-talk is assigned inside the add-on or network client and is not muted.
- The aircraft has electrical power and its avionics are on.
- The intended frequency is active, with the matching COM transmitter selected.
- The add-on's simulator connector or plug-in reports that it is connected.
- Your speech language and accent settings match those supported by the recognition engine.
If words appear correctly but no reply follows, the issue is usually the radio state, an unsupported phrase or unavailable online coverage rather than the microphone. If you receive no controller audio at all, work through our ATC audio troubleshooting checklist.