MSFS simmers have enjoyed the arrival of two highly advanced and immersive ATC solutions over the past year, developed by the teams behind SayIntentions.AI and BeyondATC. While SayIntentions has held the spotlight with an almost relentless development pace, frequently rolling out a flurry of updates and new capabilities, BeyondATC has kept a lower profile in recent months, prompting some in the community to question its development status.
However, BeyondATC has now broken its silence with a new development update, making it clear that the project remains active. On their Discord server, the team describes this period as a “heads-down” phase, focused on stabilizing core systems and building a foundation for significant upcoming features.
Key highlights from BeyondATC’s July 2025 update
GSX integration
Following a user poll, GSX support is nearly ready to enter Early Access. The next update will bring separate handling options for arrivals and departures, providing more flexibility for users. The developers also clarified that features not selected in the poll remain on the roadmap.
Improved pronunciation
Efforts led by the team have resulted in significantly improved ATC pronunciation of waypoints and procedures. The system is now more closely aligned with AIRAC data, offering a more authentic experience for each cycle.
CPDLC support
Controller–pilot data link communications (CPDLC) are nearing experimental release. The rollout is planned in phases:
- PDC clearance handling: complete
- ATC-initiated instructions (altitude changes, directs, frequency changes): in progress
- Pilot requests via CPDLC: coming soon
Complex airport operations
Advanced runway assignment logic has been added for over 200 major airports. These setups consider factors such as wind, time of day, and aircraft type to better reflect real-world operations.
Traffic system overhaul
A complete rewrite of the traffic system aims to improve performance, reduce stuttering, and enhance routing accuracy with real-life flight plans.
Historical weather support
Support for historical METARs is in development to align with Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024’s 24-hour weather replay feature.
Request cancellation improvements
Future updates will allow pilots to cancel requests cleanly without becoming stuck in communication loops.
Ongoing bug fixes
The team notes that each release includes bug fixes, often targeting root causes rather than surface-level symptoms. Users are encouraged to provide detailed reports with logs to assist in resolving issues.
BeyondATC says that while this phase may seem quieter, it is not due to a lack of progress. The current focus is on system stability and refinement following the significant technological additions earlier this year. The team’s next major goal is the introduction of full VFR support, which is expected to follow once the current stabilization efforts are complete.
