Flight modes...

When flying the following modes, ATC...

VFR...

• Can ask for frequency change in some circumstanes (if you have requested for transit for example)
• Answers to any request
• Gives local QNH

VFR special...

• Doesn't correct your heading until you leave the expected track
• Asks to descend or climb if you are too far above or below the expected altitude (the altitude of the next waypoint in the flight plan). The ATC will not talk if you are climbing/descending, considering you try to reach the expected altitude.
• Asks for frequency change in many circumstances
• Ask for reporting if the next waypoint is REPORT type or randomly if you fly inside a SID or a STAR.
• Ask for a squawk code

IFR...

All VFR Special events and...

• Asks to follow heading if your heading is too far from the expected one
• Asks you to climb (or expedite your climb!) if you are below the expected altitude. The ATC will not talk if you are climbing/descending, considering you try to reach the expected altitude.
• Ask for frequency change on all circumstances (if frequency is available in the flight plan of course...)
• Asks for holding pattern if waypoint is HOLD type
• Asks for arc DME correction if the track is a DME arc

Traffic patterns...

When flying VFR, after having requested instructions for landing to the Tower ATC, or announced your landing in Unicom, you can use the Landing Pattern request (not a request actually but it works the same way than the requests (by pressing the appropriate key on your keyboard)).
The Landing pattern command makes the pilot announce the appropriate landing pattern state among the following...

Entry...

• To hear the pilot saying "entering...", your altitude MUST be 1500 ft or more ABOVE the airfield altitude (so don't forget to indicate the altitude of the airfield in the filght plan).
• If you fly on the downwind left hand side of the runway, the pilot will say "entering left hand". He will say "entering right hand" if you approach from the other side.
• If you fly BELOW this limit, EasyATC will consider you have entered the traffic pattern and the pilot will say one of the followings...

Pattern...

Crosswind

"Crosswind left hand" if your heading is close to 90° from the runway landing heading AND the airport is between 9 and about 11 o'clock. I let you guess for the right hand...

Downwind

"Downwind left hand" if your heading is close to 180° from the runway landing heading AND the airport is between about 7 and 11 o'clock.

Base leg

"Base leg" if your heading is close to -90° from the runway landing heading AND the airport is between about 9 and 11 o'clock.

Final

"Long final" if your heading is close to 0° from the runway landing heading AND the airport is between about 10 and 2 o'clock AND you are at more than 5 miles from the airfield.

"Short final" if you are closer.