Completely unscripted! Introduction of a LLM in BeyondATC

We are thrilled to announce the integration of a Large Language Model (LLM) into BeyondATC! This update marks a major step forward in enhancing realism and interactivity within the world of virtual air traffic control.

Previously, BeyondATC relied on structured systems to process and respond to pilot requests. Now, with an LLM-powered logic layer, users will experience a more natural and dynamic way of interacting with ATC while maintaining the program’s strict accuracy and realism.

This new feature is initially available in the experimental branch for Supporter users. Once testing is complete, it will roll out to all users at no additional cost.

Our video announcing the introduction of the LLM

Why now?

From the start, our vision for BeyondATC has been to create a fully AI-powered ATC system. However, early implementations of LLMs were impractical due to high costs, performance concerns, and their tendency to generate inaccurate or nonsensical responses. Instead of forcing an LLM into the core engine prematurely, we focused on building a structured ATC framework capable of incorporating advanced AI technologies when the time was right.

That time has come. With significant advancements in AI and our own homegrown LLM, we have successfully integrated this technology in a way that preserves the accuracy and efficiency of BeyondATC.

Key improvements that made this possible

A Robust Framework: The LLM is now constrained by BeyondATC’s strict ATC rule set, preventing it from generating unrealistic instructions.
Cost Efficiency: By running directly a distributed model, we have significantly reduced the need for expensive server infrastructure and allowing us to offer this feature for free.
Enhanced Performance: The LLM operates efficiently in the background, ensuring minimal impact on system performance while delivering a more intuitive and immersive experience.

What can the LLM do?

The LLM does not replace BeyondATC’s core ATC engine. Instead, it acts as a layer of intelligence that enhances communication and interaction. Here’s what it brings to the table:

1. Context-Aware responses

The LLM processes real-time data from BeyondATC’s 3D engine, allowing it to understand your current situation and respond accordingly. Whether you’re on the ground or at cruise altitude, responses will be relevant to your phase of flight.

2. More flexible communication

Voice & Text Support: Communicate via voice, text, or a mix of both.
On-Screen Keyboard: For those who prefer typing, an integrated keyboard option is now available.

3. Improved understanding of pilot requests

The LLM allows for more natural phrasing of requests.
No more "request not understood" errors due to minor variations in phrasing.
Example: Saying “We’re at the threshold, ready to go” will now correctly register as a departure request.

4. Informational queries

Beyond standard ATC interactions, you can now ask for useful information, such as:

“What’s the wind direction at my destination?”
“Can you repeat my squawk code?”
“Is the airport busy right now?”

These queries help enhance situational awareness without affecting ATC’s structured decision-making process.

What the LLM cannot do

While this integration greatly enhances interaction, it does not expand BeyondATC’s functional capabilities. The LLM is bound by the core engine’s logic and cannot:

Assign new vectors beyond pre-programmed options.
Accept "unable" as a response to a given instruction.
Offer alternative instructions outside of what BeyondATC supports.

These limitations are intentional to prevent the AI from issuing unrealistic or unsafe instructions.

Performance & System impact

One of the biggest concerns with LLM integration is performance. We’ve designed our model to have minimal impact on your system by running efficiently on your machine while offloading heavier processing to our servers when necessary.

This means you won’t experience noticeable slowdowns or excessive resource usage - your GPU won’t turn into a space heater just because you asked for the ATIS frequency.

What’s next?

Like all major updates, this LLM integration is a Version 1.0, and we’re committed to refining and improving it based on community feedback. If you encounter any issues or have suggestions, we encourage you to share your experiences on our Discord server.

In the future, this LLM framework will pave the way for VFR functionality, a highly requested feature that we’re excited to develop further.

The integration of an LLM into BeyondATC is a huge step forward in making ATC interactions more intuitive and realistic. While it won’t replace the core engine, it will significantly improve how pilots communicate and receive responses.

We’re incredibly excited for you to try it out, and we look forward to hearing your feedback. Thank you for your support, and happy flying!