NextATC Unicom

NextATC guideNextATC Help & FAQ

Getting Started

Your first flight, step by step

Use this page only to get a first flight moving. The detailed explanations now live in the topic pages linked below.

Where do I download NextATC?#

To get NextATC, download it from the Downloads section of the website: nextatc.matacchieri.eu. It offers the latest public build; earlier builds are listed under Old versions on the same page. NextATC builds are not posted as downloadable files on Patreon.

After the first installation, NextATC updates itself through its built-in updater. With Automatic update checks on it looks for a newer build at startup, and Plugins -> NextATC -> Check for Updates checks on demand. When a newer build is available on your release channel, the updater opens a window to download and install it.

Alpha, Beta and Stable builds#

Choose the release channel in Options -> Update -> Release channel.

  • Stable and Beta are available to everyone through the built-in updater, with no login. Stable receives stable releases only; Beta also receives stable releases.
  • Alpha builds are reserved for Patreon supporters. After an initial period in which Alpha builds were open to the whole community to launch the NextATC project, since 20 October 2026 they are again available to supporters only. They are not published as downloads on Patreon or on the website: they arrive only through the built-in updater. To receive them, open Options -> Update, press Connect Patreon in the Patreon Alpha access section, sign in with your Patreon account in the browser, then select Alpha as the release channel. Once connected, the section shows Logged in as followed by your name and access.

Supporter access means a paid NextATC membership on Patreon, or access granted by the developer (for example to past donors and testers) on a Patreon account that has joined the NextATC page. A free Patreon membership alone does not unlock Alpha builds. Without supporter access the channel returns to Beta and NextATC shows a message about it.

Before Launch#

  • The plugin folder must be in X-Plane/Resources/plugins/NextATC/.
  • Start X-Plane and open Plugins -> NextATC. If the menu is missing, go straight to Troubleshooting.
  • Start from a parking position with electrical power and a working COM radio.

Bind Two Keys#

In X-Plane, open Settings -> Keyboard, search for NextATC, and bind:

  • NextATC/handoff — continue with the highlighted action.
  • NextATC/handoff_switch — cycle the highlighted action when more than one is available.

You can fly a complete text-mode flight with just those two keys.

First Flight#

  1. Open Plugins -> NextATC -> Frequencies selector.
  2. Tune Delivery if available, otherwise Ground, otherwise Tower.
  3. Use IFR flight in the Radio Log to open the IFR Flight Plan dialog. For VFR, choose VFR flight to open the VFR Flight Plan dialog.
  4. Fill the basic fields and press File Flight Plan.
  5. Request clearance, read it back, then follow Ground/Tower handoffs.
  6. Follow the taxi guide, depart, then continue with Center/Approach.
  7. Land, vacate, contact Ground, and taxi to parking.

Where To Go Next#