Say Intentions - AI ATC

I just finished my first successful IFR flight using Say Intentions (SI) for ATC.  Overall I am very impressed with the product, but there were some glitches.  SI is clearly in a rapid development phase, and the IFR facility should be viewed as in beta mode.  In order to get SI to recognize an IFR flight plan, you have to generate it using the Navigraph product Simbrief (SB).  Then, using your SB ID number, SI can load it into its app.  I have been using SB for over a year and I really like it and the Navigraph suite of associated applications, particularly Navigraph Charts, which gives you all of the necessary associated charts (including. approach plates, runway diagrams, SIDs, STARs, etc.) and, using a program called simlink, shows your aircraft position on all of these charts, against the map of you choice (IFR, VFR, Sectional, etc.) and provides current METARs and destination runway recommendations.

Initially, I had problems with SI, because I had unintentonally opened two accounts, using two different emails, and I had paid for one (monthly fee c. $20), while I was in fact flying on the other account - pretty clever huh?.  Once their support straightened that out, I was able to use SI ATC, but only for VFR flight plans.  When I switched to IFR, I couldn't get SI to recognized my SB flightplan.  Finally, I used the link in SI to the SB app, developed the flight plan there and then went to the SI app and requested Clearance to recognizemy SB flightplan.  Bingo, that worked.  I'll believe I've got it when it happens that way a couple more times.

So, most of my flight (KFAT - KBIH) went well.  Contacted clearance, gave them my call sign and requested my clearance.  They found my clearance and passed me to Fresno ground. I switched to Fresno ground and requested push and start, then taxi to the active Then the tower for takeoff clearance, then they passed me to departure and they vectored me onto my first waypoint and then passed me to center who gve me altitude change instructions.  They even vectored me off my IFR flightplan to give me a shortcut through Mammoth Lakes to the Owens Valley, and then they selected my approach into Bishop and (not what I had expected) and gave me vectors to a visual approach to Rwy 26 at Bishop.  Perfect, right?  Not quite, some of those vectors seemed bogus and, in IMC, would have run me into the Inyo Mountains (>11,000').  I so advised ATC, and she modified my heading instruction per my suggestion, without explaning the error.  Finally I told them I had a visual on the airport and would take it from there.  OK, she told me, but don't forget to cancel your clearance, in the air or on the ground.  I even got an SI progress badge for executing a "Vectors to Final" approach on my own.  So, not perfect yet.

They are busy adding loads of more special features, so things are definitely in developmental mode.  Noneheless, its a great experince: no canned scripts, listen to other SI pilots in you area communicating with ATC.  No matter how bad you mangle it, the AI seems to understand.  I have never been a VATSIM user (I need the P button too often), but this is just riright for me.  You can use if free for your first flight.  It's worth a try.

Mike

Mike,

Thanks for the in depth review of Say Intentions.  I've been using BeyondATC sporadically, but Bill D has been using BeyondATC more frequently than I have and likes it a lot.  Without a doubt, the AI implementation in the latest ATC addons offers exciting improvements in our simming realism.

I was curious about how the two compare, and I got this response from MS Copilot (kind of an AI review of AI  ).

Beyond ATC and Say Intentions are two innovative air traffic control simulation tools for flight simulators, each with unique features and strengths.Overview of Each Tool

• Beyond ATC: This tool focuses primarily on IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) operations and is designed to provide a polished user experience with a sleek interface. It offers a one-time payment model for basic features, while premium voice models require purchasing credits. Beyond ATC is noted for its structured communication options, allowing users to select pre-defined statements to interact with ATC, which can enhance immersion during flights. 
  
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• Say Intentions: This tool is more geared towards VFR (Visual Flight Rules) flying, allowing users to communicate with ATC using natural language. It provides a more flexible and conversational approach, enabling pilots to ask questions and receive responses in real-time. However, it is still in development and may have some bugs, particularly in IFR scenarios. 
  
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• https://th.bing.com/th/id/ODF.bV1t22jEqTPesJEe-5iUrw?w=16&h=16&c=10&o=6&dpr=1.5&pid=genserp&rm=2
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Key Comparisons

1. User Interface: Beyond ATC is praised for its polished and user-friendly interface, making it easier for users to navigate and interact with the system. Say Intentions, while innovative, is still evolving and may lack some of the UI refinements found in Beyond ATC. 
   
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2. Communication Style: Beyond ATC uses a structured communication method with pre-selected phrases, which can be beneficial for users who prefer a more guided experience. In contrast, Say Intentions allows for more natural dialogue, which can enhance realism but may lead to inconsistencies in communication. 
   
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3. Focus on Flight Rules: Beyond ATC is primarily focused on IFR operations, making it suitable for users who want a more traditional ATC experience. Say Intentions, however, excels in VFR scenarios, allowing for more casual flying and interaction with ATC. 
   
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4. Traffic Management: Users have noted that Beyond ATC integrates well with traffic injection systems, enhancing the overall simulation experience. Say Intentions is still developing its traffic management features, which may limit its effectiveness in busy airspace scenarios. 
   
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5. https://th.bing.com/th/id/ODF.bV1t22jEqTPesJEe-5iUrw?w=16&h=16&c=10&o=6&dpr=1.5&pid=genserp&rm=2
   https://th.bing.com/th/id/ODF.PokgsZVoTDhh1vAdiNolkA?w=16&h=16&c=10&o=6&dpr=1.5&pid=genserp&rm=2
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User Experiences Many users have expressed satisfaction with Beyond ATC for its reliability and structured approach, especially for IFR flights. However, some have noted that it can be less flexible compared to Say Intentions, which is appreciated for its conversational capabilities, particularly in VFR flying. Users looking for a more immersive experience may prefer Say Intentions, while those seeking a more traditional ATC experience might lean towards Beyond ATC. 

AVSIM
In conclusion, the choice between Beyond ATC and Say Intentions largely depends on the user's flying style and preferences. Beyond ATC is ideal for structured IFR operations, while Say Intentions offers a more flexible and conversational approach for VFR flying.

It almost makes me want to use both addons...one for VFR GA flights and the other for IFR Airline flying.  I have found BeyondATC to be somewhat flexible to handling non-standard ATC protocol, sometimes being able to interpret what I wanted.

What simulator are you currently flying?  I think you posted it once, but I forgot.

Happy flying,

John

John,

I'm flying MSFS 2O2O.  Given the comparisons in your post, I would have selected Beyond ATC.  However, I am attracted to the less scripted flexibility of SI.  If they can mature that capability (e.g. eliminate "halucinations") it should be the superior product by eliminating the scripts and allowing candid pilot ATC conversation (e.g. "we're gonna be in the Hudson") but that is asking a lot.  Since i mainly fly IFR,  I may end up with Beyond ATC.

 

Bill, I agree, the more I fly with Say Intentions (SI) the better I like it. The first few flights with it I was flying IFR flights at low altitudes in VFR conditions, so I could see AI miscues on vectors to final. I don't know if that problem still exists. But, for two months now I have been flying long IFR flights at altitude and there have been no significant issues. This evening I'm flying from Rochester to Minneapolis. My Simbrief flight plan called for a cruise altitude of FL360, but Rochester Departure initially assigned me FL340 but then passed me to Cleveland Center which assigned me FL360. I changed the setting in the altitude window and when Cleveland Center passed me to Toronto Center, I told them I was at FL360. They responded "Identified, Good Evening", I heard "misidentified" and responded with "We're squawking 3261, don't you see us?" Toronto Center responded with "confirmed, squawk code noted", followed with "I need you at flight-level 260 sir". It was then I noted that I hadn't hit the altitude intevention button after resetting th cruise altitude from 340 to 360. I can't imagine having a interaction like this with any scripted ATC program.
I haven't used Beyond ATC, so I don't know how that would have gone with them, but I think SI handled it remarkably well.

One of the main benefits of BATC is that it's a one-time cost, compared to SI:

The cost of SayIntentions.AI's ATC service will increase starting November 1, 2025. The new monthly subscription will rise from $19.95 to $23.95, while the annual plan will increase to $239.95. Existing subscribers will continue to pay their current rates indefinitely, provided their plan remains active.

The cost of BeyondATC is currently $29.99 USD, which includes the basic voice model and unlimited push-to-talk (PTT) at no additional cost. This pricing model was recently updated to reflect feedback from users, making it more accessible and sustainable for the developers.

One reviewer of SI thought that the cost of SI may drop when the cost of the 3rd party AI processor goes down as AI becomes more efficient and ubiquitous.  

The other issue with SI is an uncomfortable delay in response as your submission must go out to the 3rd party AI processor, processed and returned to SI.  

The benefit, as Mike states, is that there is a more likelihood of reasonable response from SI, especially if you make non-ATC protocol statements or requests to SI ATC.  For example, if you say to SI ATC "Nice weather to fly today", you'll get a rational response back, where BATC will just state that it didn't copy the transmission or something like that until you give it an understandable ATC protocol request.

With cost being a factor for many of us, $240 USD annually is a lot to pay for an ATC addon.

John