BeyondATC has released a new development video that breaks an almost year-long silence and offers the clearest picture yet of how the team plans to introduce VFR capabilities to its ATC platform for Microsoft Flight Simulator. The developer explains that most of the past ten months were spent stabilizing the existing IFR and traffic systems, which postponed major feature work but laid the groundwork for what comes next.
According to the team, the focus throughout 2025 has been on strengthening core ATC behaviour. They highlight a large list of improvements that were completed during this period. One of the most notable additions is a new “Local Voices” system that uses a fast, on-device voice model with more than 800 US and 150 UK voices. The developer says these generate almost instantly, do not require an internet connection, and remove ongoing voice-related costs.
Traffic handling has also seen significant changes. The team reports that realistic flight plans were introduced for roughly two-thirds of all injected flights, along with support for MSFS 2024 GA traffic models. Speed control, spacing, sequencing and general aircraft movements have been reworked, and the system now includes seasonal schedules that can be switched between summer and winter.
Another update mentioned in the video is the introduction of complex airport operations. BeyondATC says this allows more realistic runway use at major airports, including flow rules such as preferred directions and time-of-day configurations. GSX integration was added following a community vote, and the team lists improvements across several areas including vectoring, departure logic, taxi instructions, and altitude management. The stated goal of this phase was to stabilise the software before expanding its feature set.
With that work nearing completion, the developer has begun detailing the path to VFR. This is the most requested feature since BeyondATC was announced. To balance ongoing bug fixing with new development, the team of three will split responsibilities, with two members moving to VFR and one remaining focused on stability.
The upcoming VFR system will be introduced in stages. Each stage will expand the feature set outward from the airport environment, allowing users to test and provide feedback as development progresses. According to the plan presented in the video, the rollout will follow three phases:
Stage 1: Circuits
This first phase focuses on pattern flying. Users will be able to request clearances, depart, fly circuits, perform touch-and-goes, low approaches and full-stop landings, and dynamically enter or leave the pattern. Wider airspace handling is scheduled for later stages.
Stage 2: Airspace classes
The second phase will introduce VFR navigation through different classes of controlled airspace. This includes entering, exiting and transiting various airspace types under the appropriate regional rules. The team also intends to extend its FERS structure vertically, which is expected to benefit IFR and VFR workflows.
Stage 3: Full VFR flights
The final phase will bring all systems together. The stated aim is to enable a complete VFR flight with appropriate services from departure to arrival. The developer notes that this will require significant changes to backend systems and will take considerable time to build and refine. Updates and supporting features will be released between stages.
Regional variation is a major part of the plan. BeyondATC says VFR will launch initially with three core regions: the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia. Procedures and rules will follow the appropriate standards in each region, similar to how the tool currently handles differences between FAA and ICAO for IFR. Additional regions are expected later.
To help ensure accuracy, BeyondATC is inviting real-world pilots, controllers and aviation professionals to contribute their knowledge. Volunteers will be able to review research material, answer questions and assist the team as the VFR system evolves.
It’s worth noting that BeyondATC remains a one-time purchase priced at $29.99. While the developer did not provide a timeline for the first VFR stage in the video, we’ll continue to track the rollout and report on the initial phase as soon as new details emerge.
