# Flatout ATC — Realistic Approach & Tower Sim

> Realistic air traffic control simulation game with arcade-style puzzle mechanics. (iPhone/iPad app by Craig Kennedy.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flatout-atc/id6753611831 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Craig Kennedy](https://appshunter.io/developer/1595243100)
- Category: Games, Simulation, Strategy
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.20/5 from 34 App Store ratings · 11 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 26.1 · 988 MB
- Languages: American English, European Spanish, Italian, German (Germany), French (France)
- Released: 2026-04-18
- Data updated: 2026-09-10
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flatout-atc/id6753611831/reviews.md

## What is Flatout ATC?

Flatout ATC puts you in the tower. Vector arrivals, sequence departures, clear approaches, and keep every aircraft safely separated across real airports from New York to Tokyo.

NEW IN 3.0: THE WATCH
A career campaign told in seasons. Step into the tower as a new controller and earn your place shift by shift, with a full cast, a story that carries across episodes, and a debrief after every shift.
- Season 1: First Watch. Seven episodes. Your first solo, your first radio failure, your first engine-out.
- Season 2: The Incident Desk. Seven episodes of search and rescue, including a cooperative multi-aircraft rescue.

REAL CONTROL
- Tap an aircraft to give it a heading, altitude, or speed.
- Clear published approaches and issue crossing restrictions like a real controller.
- Fly search and rescue: follow the signal, hold a steady hover to hoist, and beat the survival clock.

LIVE TRAFFIC
Work a shift against real aircraft flying right now over New York, London, and Atlanta, streamed from live ADS-B data. One free live shift every day.

NO ADS
Every advert was removed. No interruptions, no rewarded videos, just you and the airspace.

A WHOLE WORLD
Dozens of real airports with satellite-accurate runways, published procedures, 3D terrain and towers, weather you can fly around, helicopters, and a daily challenge.

THE LOGBOOK
Every level you clear writes a permanent record you can look back on.

Already own the Full Game? You keep the base game and every season, free, forever.

## Key features

- Realistic airspace command
- 28 meticulously mapped airports
- Approach and landing guidance
- Daily challenges
- Escalating difficulty
- Free Play mode

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Base Game Unlock | $4.99 | one-time |
| The Watch — Season One | $2.99 | one-time |
| Season 2: The Incident Desk | $2.99 | one-time |
| Season 3: The Crossing | $2.99 | one-time |
| Unlock Full Game | $4.99 | one-time |
| Unlock Small Fields | $0.99 | one-time |
| Mid Size Fields | $0.99 | one-time |
| Unlock Military Complication | $0.99 | one-time |
| Unlock International Airports | $0.99 | one-time |
| Unlock Regional Northeast Airspaces | $0.99 | one-time |
| Unlock the US 'Big Dog' | $0.99 | one-time |
| Unlock the Final Bosses | $0.99 | one-time |


## Recent user reviews (10 of 11)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flatout-atc/id6753611831/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Inspired me

*2026-09-01*

First comment ever, this game really inspired me to learn more about aviation knowledge, thank you Craig

**Developer response:** Wow. Thank you. That means so much. Please engage through the developer board if you have questions, suggestions, problems or just want to learn more. I read and respond to everything.
Craig

### 5/5 — More ground

*2026-08-31*

We need more ground airports and we need it endless ground but 5 stars I love the game

**Developer response:** Thank you so much. I put in a lot of work as a solo developer. I will release endless ground in 3.3. If you go to the developer board and make a suggestion for which airport would be a good next ground layout, I will build it into 3.5. Craig

### 2/5 — It’s not free

*2026-08-09*

Nowhere in this description does it tell you you have to pay to unlock the game

**Developer response:** Thanks for the note. The product page does carry Apple's In-App Purchases label, so the game is listed as offering them.

Here is what you have without paying anything. Three airports are unlimited: Atlantic City, Solberg and Teterboro. All twelve academy lessons are also fully open. The larger levels get three plays a day, and there is one live shift a day working real traffic over New York, London or Atlanta. There are no adverts anywhere.

If you want the rest, the Base Game Unlock is one payment for all 50+ airports, every mode, and every difficulty from Novice to Master, plus unlimited live traffic. Yours forever, no subscription. The Watch story seasons are separate and entirely optional, and episode 1 of every season is free for everyone.

Worth another go if you have the time. Three plays a day on the big fields is enough to tell whether the job suits you, and Atlantic City, Solberg and Teterboro cost nothing at all.

Craig

### 5/5 — Amazing

*2026-08-06*

Truly, an amazing game this is now my new favorite

**Developer response:** Thank you, that means a lot. If you hit anything that feels off, or you have an idea for the tower, the support link in Settings comes straight to me.

Craig

### 5/5 — A great addition for the mobile ATC scene

*2026-07-26*

Just wanted to say that this game has a great balance of depth that makes it really enjoyable to play. The recent QoL additions have made the game even better and I hope you keep it up :)
Only thing I’d really ask for is upping the number of aircraft on certain areas depending on difficulty like London for example, which feels pretty empty. I find myself using the fast forward button pretty much every time to get all the aircraft in at once, which causes collisions semi often sadly due to them spawning in each other. Other than that, great game!

**Developer response:** I really appreciate the review, and the engagement in the game. I posted a long thought about London (and similar levels) on the developer board. Check that out there. And you inspired me to make what I think is an important change. Thanks again. Craig

### 5/5 — Such an amazing app

*2026-07-06*

This is one of the best apps i’ve ever tried. And it looks so good in the game. The tutorial is a little confusing since there aren’t arrows but once you get the hang of it, the game becomes amazing. I’ve been searching for an app like this for a while and it’s almost perfect. Great job for whoever designed/created this and made it so amazing. The best atc app on the app store in my opinion. 👍

**Developer response:** I am so glad that the game brought you joy. I've put a lot of work into it and am trying to improve it every week. Thank you also for taking the time to write the feedback - I know you didn't have to, and it means a lot that you did. I've tried to improve the tutorial by implementing a simpler academy, but I take your feedback that a player overlay on the early levels could help people become accustomed quickly. Thanks for playing and writing. You really brightened my day.
-Craig

### 4/5 — pretty good game, needs a few QoL improvements

*2026-07-04*

I enjoy this game a lot. There is a career that eases you into the game with tutorials and difficulties, it’s a little bit slow paced though. But there is a way to speed up time. It would be nice if you could select which traffic pattern for the plane to enter, because sometimes i feel that it is random, and so they land at the wrong airport sometimes. Also, i can’t seem to send helicopters to helipads, only runways. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who wants to experience what it’s like for ATC. it is a fun experience overall

**Developer response:** Thanks so much for the thoughtful review and the recommendation. Really glad you're enjoying it!

Two quick tips on what you ran into:

Helicopters can land on helipads. Direct the helo to the helipad (in the Direct To window, the helipads are identified for you) and bring it down low as it gets close, and it settles onto the pad on its own. You'll find helipads on the levels that feature them (Solberg/N51 is a good one), plus every Search & Rescue mission is helicopter-based.

You're in control of where arrivals go. Use "Clear to Land" for a specific runway, or "Direct To" and approach clearances to route a plane in. The "Enter Pattern" command puts a plane into the pattern for the airport its goal is set to, so it should arrive at the right field. If one ever lands somewhere it shouldn't, that sounds like a bug, and a log would really help me catch it (Settings, then Send logs).

If anything else ever looks off, please send a log or post on the in-app "Talk to the Developer" board. I read and reply to everything, and it really does shape what I build. Your idea about choosing a plane's pattern is great feedback and it's on my list.

More is on the way (a story-driven career campaign is in the works). Thanks again for playing and for taking the time to write this. It means a lot. Craig

### 2/5 — Build your own games

*2026-06-20*

Looks and feels vibe coded but really cool concept

**Developer response:** Thank you, honestly "really cool concept" made my day. I'm a solo developer, and this game has been a labor of love, more late nights and weekends than I can count to get the flying and the airspace feeling right. If something felt unpolished, I'd really like to know what. There's a "Talk to the Developer" page right in the app, and I read and respond to everything that comes through it. Thanks for giving it a try. - Craig

### 1/5 — Doesn’t work

*2026-05-24*

This game is broken and does not work

**Developer response:** Hi, thanks for providing feedback. It's a little hard to actually help you without understanding more. If you're willing, please use one of the three different ways through the app or on the support website where you can get help directly from the developer. Hundred's of people are playing daily and not giving this feedback. I would love to help you be one of them.

### 3/5 — Phone heating issue

*2026-05-01*

This games a lotta fun but my phone gets extremely hot while playing. It doesn’t do that with anything else I can think of. Issue there that can be addressed? Also, would love a windows desktop version!

**Developer response:** Hi and good morning! Thank you for the feedback and I'm glad you're enjoying the game. I have made some modifications that reduce GPU load in most levels. They will be released in 2.1 (coming shortly). If you're willing, could you reach out to support through the settings menu and tell me a little more about what's happening when you're playing, so that I can diagnose a little further. Thank you!

## Frequently asked questions about Flatout ATC

### What is Flatout ATC?

Flatout ATC is a fast-paced, arcade-style puzzle game where players take command of real-world airspace. You guide aircraft through approach and landing at 28 meticulously mapped airports.

### Does Flatout ATC have ads?

Yes, Flatout ATC contains advertisements. It is a free-to-play game with optional in-app purchases.

### What devices support Flatout ATC?

Flatout ATC is supported on iPhone and iPad devices. It is designed for mobile play.

### How does Flatout ATC handle difficulty?

The game features escalating difficulty as players prove their skills, rising through ranks from Novice to Master Controller. It also includes daily challenges to test players.

### Can I play Flatout ATC offline?

The provided data does not specify if Flatout ATC supports offline play. It is recommended to check the app store listing for details on connectivity requirements.

### What is the age rating for Flatout ATC?

Flatout ATC has an age rating of 4+. This indicates it is suitable for a wide range of players.

### How often is Flatout ATC updated?

The latest version, 2.4.2, was released on May 31, 2026. This suggests the game receives regular updates from the developer.

### What are the different game modes in Flatout ATC?

Flatout ATC offers a mission-based mode with objectives and a Free Play mode for endless traffic practice. Players can unlock more complex levels as they progress.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 3.3.0 — 2026-09-05

Three new Gauntlets and a new kind of check ride.

Gauntlet: Heathrow runs the night bank on both parallels. Gauntlet: Manchester is the segregation check on two close parallels, built from the real AIP, and Manchester arrives as a full airport too. North Sea Watch is the first rescue Gauntlet: Stavanger Sola, the Johan Sverdrup platform 99 miles offshore, twelve rungs, cooperative searches with several helicopters, search patterns over a drifting datum, a state aircraft on station, and a night finale in sea state six. Two new commands come with it: Search Pattern and On Station.

Ground Endless on Vancouver, Solberg and Scottsdale: no finish line, arrivals that build and ease, a personal best per airport.

Also: helicopters spin their rotors on the radar, a weather marker on the data tag shows which aircraft are dodging a storm, an arrival beside a departure climbing off the parallel is no longer scored as a mid-air, the Gauntlet's out-of-plays message now offers the base game instead of a dead end, and more of the game now reads in German, Spanish, French and Italian.

### 3.2.2 — 2026-09-01

The Gauntlet: the start button on the Tower Home hero card could do nothing at all once you had passed a rung. Fixed, with thanks to the player who reported it. And when a check ride cannot start for a real reason, the brief now tells you why instead of closing silently.

### 3.2.1 — 2026-08-30

London, Manchester and every live region: the Handoff button now arms when you are established outbound past the exit fix, instead of making you fly all the way to the boundary ring. The pill tells you which fix to pass.
Purchases that need a parent's approval now say so. The unlock screen shows a waiting banner, the buy button stops repeating itself, and a purchase that completes while the app is closed is picked up properly next time you open it.

### 3.2.0 — 2026-08-26

Relay shifts. Hand your shift to the next controller. Every aircraft, every clearance and the weather go with it, and the shift returns to the board when they are done. The relay board shows who is on duty and what is waiting.
The Gauntlet at Pittsburgh. Ten rungs on a four-runway field, each with a pass mark and a separation budget. The Examiner Strip keeps score in the corner, a failed rung can be retried, and the tenth rung makes you a Certified Controller.
The Sheet. Your facility ratings record: every airport, every difficulty, one page, in your language.
Live traffic, grown up. Real departure gates with real navdata in New York, London, Atlanta and Paris, and the New York and London worlds now reach 120 NM.
The standing offer. Three premium shifts a day, one live shift a day and four airports that are always open, shown on the tower home as a standing state instead of a wall.
A clearer tower home. One obvious next step whether you are new or certified, with the Logbook, Awards, the Sheet and Relay one tap away.
On frequency. Storm cells report their tops and movement, Cancel Clearance takes a clearance back, and the readback ticker shows what the pilots heard.
Search and rescue draws the search area on the radar, and a thunderstorm can no longer be born inside it.
Fair scoring. Nothing moves after the final whistle, an expired emergency counts against you as it should, and traffic patterns survive a saved game.
Plus every fix from 3.1.1, and German, Spanish, French and Italian across all the new screens.

### 3.1.1 — 2026-08-10

- Five airports rebuilt. Charlotte gains Concord-Padgett and Denver gains Centennial, with most of Denver's military traffic replaced by airlines. Innsbruck now flies its real published approaches, including the circle to runway 08, and its departures climb east down the valley the way the real ones do. Madrid's runways are redrawn to survey, Cuatro Vientos finally works traffic, and the terrain no longer hides the airfield. Shenandoah puts Charlottesville back to work.

- Parallel approaches are no longer collisions. Two aircraft landing side by side on parallel runways were being scored as a mid-air, at every airport that has them. Not any more.

- Live shifts count what you fly. Your shift goal is remembered between sessions, reaching it no longer ends the shift, and only the aircraft you actually work count toward it. Crashes between aircraft you never controlled are no longer charged to you, and a shift left in the background comes back instead of being lost.

- Also fixed. A fast turn onto final no longer carries an aircraft past the far end of the airport, and aircraft rotate at their own speeds rather than one shared speed.

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## More apps by Craig Kennedy

- [BallFields](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ballfields/id1595243098)
- [OnTheDiamond: Baseball Stats](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/onthediamond-baseball-stats/id6760717433)
- [RiderCoachConnect](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ridercoachconnect/id6762053320)

All apps by Craig Kennedy: https://appshunter.io/developer/1595243100

## Related topics

[atc simulator](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/atc-simulator) · [atc game](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/atc-game) · [radar atc simulator](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/radar-atc-simulator) · [atc air traffic control](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/atc-air-traffic-control)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-10.*