AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL - ROME
ZX Spectrum 16K
© 1985/2014 Luca Bordoni



ABOUT THE PROGRAM
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ATC-ROME is a simple program able to assign and manage values to multiple elements on the screen. The program includes a graphic map of the Lazio region in Italy, stored inside the Spectrum memory, which displays some districts beacons along with two main airports.



INSTRUCTIONS
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Take control of air traffic over central Italy's sky. Place up to eight flights and guide them to a safe landing, choosing between two Roman airports: Fiumicino ("FCO" double runway, the easiest) and Ciampino ("CIA" single runway, smaller).



1. REGISTER A NEW FLIGHT
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It's possibile to register up to eight flights.

Each flight has its slot, named from A to H, showing Altitude, Direction, Speed and an Airplante Identification Code.

Press SPACE to register a new flight. An airplane cursor will appear over the map.

ATC radar will automatically assign a progressive slot, in order to identify airplanes. Initial Altitude, Direction and Speed values will be displayed, while the ID value starts empty.



2. SELECT POSITION AND DIRECTION
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Use curor keys (5,6,7,8) to move through the map in order to choose the airplane's starting position.

Use key "9" to select airplane's direction. User can choose between eight different cardinal directions. The relative degree correspondence will be displayed:

UP         = 360º
UP-RIGHT   =  45º
RIGHT      =  90º
DOWN-RIGHT = 135º
DOWN       = 180º
DOWN-LEFT  = 225º
LEFT       = 270º
UP-LEFT    = 315º

This way user can define the starting route, which can be changed throughout operative flights.

Finally, press key "0" to accept and make the flight operative.



3. FLIGHT MANAGEMENT AND USER COMMANDS
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When a flight is operative, user can assign an ID, alter speed, altitude and direction.
A simple five digits command-prompt is placed below the map.

Important: first chatacter defines a command and must typed in lowercase!



3.1 ASSIGN AN ID
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Command: n[slot][custom two-digits ID]

Examples: "naZ7" = assign to flight "A" the ID "Z7"
          "nhX9" = assign to flight "H" the ID "X9" 



3.2 CHANGE SPEED
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Command: s[slot][50..100]

The minimum value is "50" (slow), the maximum is "100" (fast).

Example: "sa65" = assign to flight "A" a speed value "65"



3.3 CHANGE ALTITUDE
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Command: a[slot][0..360]

The minimum value is "0" (low), the maximum is "360" (high).

Example: "ab200" = assign to flight "B" altitude "200"

WARNING: if altitude is too low while airplane isn't positioned over an airport's runway, it will crash on ground.



3.4 CHANGE DIRECTION
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Command: d[slot][45/90/135/180/225/270/315/360]

Values can be choosen between eight fixed degrees, as explained in Chapter 2.

Example: "dc45" = assign to flight "C" direction "45º"

WARNING: if an airplane goes out of the map range, the ATC radar will lose its signal and a missing remark will appear.



4. TIPS AND KEYS SUMMARY
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It's suggested to place new flights not too close from the airports. This way there'll be enough time to assign commands.

In order to perform a safe landing, while approaching over an airport's runway, slow down the airplane and set the lower altitude.



4.1 KEYS SUMMARY (INOPERATIVE FLIGHTS)
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SPACE   = declare a new flight
CURSORS = select initial position
9       = select initial direction
0       = accept and make operative



4.2 COMMANDS SUMMARY (OPERATIVE FLIGHTS)
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s = change speed
a = change altitude
d = change direction
n = assign an ID



CREDITS
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Very special thanks to:
- Jarrod Bentley for coding support
- Einar Saukas for providing his extraordinary graphic compressor



© 1985/2014 Luca Bordoni