Real ATC 2 (Air Traffic Control) is an add-on to Microsoft's popular Flight Simulator 2000 for the PC. For those interested in the ground-based process of getting planes off and back onto the tarmac safely, this is a good place to start. Recordings of real controllers from across the world are provided with over 4,000 phrases, and although these are primarily intended for use with the Microsoft simulator, they are also accessible as background ATC "chatter" from other Windows 95, 98 or 2000 flight simulators. You can change the weather, the time of day and consult many charts with impressive acronyms like SIDS, STARS, DME and VOR and obtain automatic clearance from airports. You can even change the rate at which ATC chatter is delivered which, with the ability to choose light, medium or heavy traffic options, lets you get started without information overload--albeit simulated. The random occurrence of "missed approaches, worsening weather and the odd surprise" ups the ante. Although it shows some signs of hasty presentation--for instance, the outer box says it will run with Microsoft's Flight Simulator 98 and the inner one says it won't--it gives an extra dimension to house-bound flying. --Mark Whitehorn