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Review: Unmatched Air Traffic Control – A Worthy Addition to your Mobile Hangar?
The View from the Glass Tower
Hello fellow avgeeks! If you’ve spent any time scouring the app stores for a decent mobile sim that doesn't feel like a shallow "tap-to-win" arcade game, you’ve likely stumbled across Unmatched Air Traffic Control (UATC).
After logging some serious hours in the virtual tower, I thought I’d put together a breakdown for the Forums4airports community. Here’s how it stacks up for those of us who actually know our squawk codes from our slot times.
The Concept: Managing the Flow
Unlike many sims that focus on the flight deck, UATC puts you in the hot seat of an Air Traffic Controller. Your job is to manage the flow of traffic from pushback and startup to final approach and landing without causing a "loss of separation."What Hits the Mark:
- Realistic Procedures: The game captures the "hand-off" sequence beautifully. You’ll manage Ground, Tower, and Approach frequencies.
- The Fleet: The aircraft models are surprisingly sharp. Seeing a 747-8i or an A380 rotate with semi-accurate physics is a treat for any spotter.
- Customisation: You can apply real-world liveries. There’s nothing quite like seeing a sea of BA Blue or EasyJet Orange at your gates.
What Needs a Refit:
- Voice Recognition: It’s ambitious, but finicky. You might find yourself shouting "Cleared to land" at your phone in public while people give you odd looks.
- AI Logic: Occasionally, the AI pilots have a bit of a "mind of their own" during taxi, leading to some frustrating nose-to-nose standoffs.
Performance & Realism Breakdown
| Category | Rating | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Graphics | 8/10 | Excellent lighting and aircraft detail. |
| Realism | 7/10 | Great procedural flow; slightly simplified physics. |
| Variety | 9/10 | Plenty of international airports to unlock. |
| Value | 8/10 | Free to play, though the best airports require a bit of a grind. |
Final Thoughts
For the enthusiasts here, Unmatched Air Traffic Control is a solid "buy." It strikes a rare balance between a hardcore simulator and an accessible mobile game. It’s perfect for those moments when you’re stuck in a real-life departure lounge and fancy seeing if you could do a better job than the folks upstairs.New users need to be prepared for quiet spells as traffic increases when new gates are opened. This is achieved using accrued credits through using the game or by a small purchase. You can speed up the process by using a speed up function. This is generally not necessary when the game gets busier.
It isn’t VATSIM on your phone, but it’s about as close as you’ll get while sitting on the bus.
This isn't a paid feature on Forums4airports. The game offers many free features where subscription isn't necessary.
If things get too chaotic at Heathrow, try toggling the 'Manual' arrivals off for a moment to clear the departure queue! This festure is only available to subscribers
And here's a Youtube video showing more of the games features.
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