"Aircraft A reduce speed to 150 knots, head 240 right and reduce altitude to 6000 ft. Aircraft Q reduce speed to 130 knots, course steady. No, increase altitude to 8000 ft. so as not to collide with aircraft E coming in very fast at 6200 ft. at the last quote point. Aircraft J as you have a slow descent rate tum ISO left and head to LAM stack."

This is a typical couple of minutes when playing Hewson's Air Traffic Control for the Enterprise. The scenario, as if you haven't guessed by now, is that you constitute the ATC at Heathrow and must bring a number of aircraft in safely.

Believe me, this is no easy task. It's not just a matter of heading in the right direction and gradually lowering altitude until they are within landing sight. you have the arduous task of co-ordinating a number of aircraft all at different heights and positions. Even at the simple levels you have to deal with wind speeds, landing position, radar and communications; a bewildering array of subjects, concepts and controls to master. The small manual is helpful and if you're patient you should find your way around the game in a few hours.

If you master the first level (something I must admit I have yet to do) then you can move on to one of the other seven levels. Apart from featuring different sized aircrafts of vastly varying descent rates, speeds and manoeuvrability, you will find that aircraft may declare emergencies, in which case you must land that plane as quickly as possible.

A most difficult and interesting simulation but one you will either enjoy or wish not to touch. I suggest that you try it out and see.

C.G.