SayIntentions.AI has introduced Pushback Pressure, a new realism feature now available to all subscribers.
Real-world airline crews live by the clock. If the jet bridge is still attached five minutes after the scheduled departure time, somebody will notice. Stretch that delay to 20 minutes, and the conversation may become considerably less polite.
Pushback Pressure brings that time-sensitive operational pressure into your SayIntentions.AI cockpit.
The feature is off by default, so nothing changes unless you choose to activate it.
Your Crew Is Watching the Clock
Once Pushback Pressure is enabled, your co-pilot and cabin crew begin monitoring the scheduled off-block time from your filed SimBrief flight plan.
Remain parked beyond that time, and the crew will gradually become concerned about the delay. Their reactions reflect their individual personalities, so a dry, businesslike first officer will sound very different from a more talkative or expressive crew member.
Pushback Pressure offers three intensity settings:
- Casual: Polite, patient and slightly resigned.
- Pushy: Pointed, persistent and increasingly unimpressed.
- Unhinged: Exactly what it sounds like.
If you have ever wondered what it would be like to disappoint an entire virtual flight crew before leaving the gate, SayIntentions.AI now has you covered.
Ground Control May Have Something to Say
The pressure does not necessarily stop inside the aircraft.
When using the Pushy or Unhinged settings, requesting pushback more than five minutes late at a busy major airport could cause Ground Control to hold your aircraft.
Just as in real-world operations, you may be told that you have missed your departure sequence and must remain in position while controllers work you back into the traffic flow.
Trying to talk your way into an earlier release will not work—regardless of how politely or creatively you ask.
Once a new opening becomes available, Ground Control will call your aircraft and clear you for pushback and engine start.
This feature is applied only where a departure sequence would realistically exist, such as a large airport with a genuinely busy ramp. Pilots operating from smaller or quieter airports will not encounter unnecessary delays simply for the sake of creating drama.
Late Arrivals Are Not Forgotten
Pushback Pressure also follows the flight through to its destination.
If the aircraft lands later than the scheduled arrival time in the filed flight plan, the cabin crew will acknowledge the delay and apologize to passengers during the arrival announcement.
It is a small detail that adds another layer of authenticity to the overall flight experience.
How to Enable Pushback Pressure
To activate the feature:
- Open the SayIntentions.AI Pilot Portal and select Settings.
- Choose the Realism tab.
- Scroll down to the Other section.
- Move the Pushback Pressure slider to Casual, Pushy or Unhinged.
Your selection saves automatically.
If your virtual crew becomes a little too enthusiastic about punctuality, move the slider back to Off at any time and the pressure will stop.
A SimBrief Flight Plan Is Required
Pushback Pressure requires a SimBrief flight plan containing a scheduled departure time. The filed off-block time is what SayIntentions.AI uses to determine whether the flight is running late.
If you load a flight plan with an off-block time that is already more than 90 minutes in the past, the feature will remain quiet. SayIntentions.AI treats that as an older flight plan rather than assuming you are operating a flight that is exceptionally late.
Brian and the SayIntentions.AI team recommend beginning with the Casual setting. Once you have experienced a few politely disappointed crew members, you can work your way up to Pushy—or throw caution to the wind and go straight to Unhinged.
Pushback Pressure is available now to all SayIntentions.AI subscribers.
Enjoy the pressure—and try not to miss your slot!
