X-Plane 12
X-Plane 12.2 Beta Introduces New ATC Voice Recognition and Enhanced Weather Radar
By Marco Delgado · · 2 min read
Laminar Research has released X-Plane 12.2 beta, featuring a revamped ATC system with voice recognition and a more realistic weather radar simulation. The update also includes performance optimizations and new default aircraft.
Laminar Research has pushed X-Plane 12.2 into public beta, bringing a long-awaited overhaul to the simulator's default ATC. The new system incorporates voice recognition, allowing pilots to communicate with controllers using natural phraseology via a headset. This aims to bridge the gap between scripted ATC and online networks like VATSIM, offering a more immersive single-player experience. Early testers report that the voice recognition handles clearance delivery, ground, and tower frequencies with impressive accuracy, though complex IFR clearances still require text input as a fallback.
In addition to ATC improvements, X-Plane 12.2 introduces a new weather radar model that simulates attenuation and beam tilt more realistically. The radar now displays precipitation intensity based on actual reflectivity, and pilots must manage gain and tilt to avoid ground clutter. This is particularly relevant for aircraft like the FlightFactor 757 and ToLiss A320neo, where proper radar usage is critical for navigating convective weather.
Performance has also been a focus, with Vulkan optimizations reducing CPU overhead in dense scenery areas. Users have reported frame rate improvements of up to 15% in regions like Orbx's TrueEarth Great Britain. The update also includes two new default aircraft: a Piper PA-18 Super Cub and a Robinson R22 helicopter, both with detailed flight models. The beta is available now via the X-Plane installer, and Laminar encourages users to report bugs in the official forums.
Tags: X-Plane 12, Laminar Research, ATC, weather radar, beta