¶ vACDM
vACDM is a EuroScope plugin designed to replicate ACDM (Airport Collaborative Decision Making). vACDM aims at improving the efficiency of an airport and improve the predictability of traffic. This is achieved through time milestones such as TOBT, TSAT, TTOT and CTOT, which create a well-defined sequence of startups and takeoffs, taking into account the EOBT filed in the flightplan, traffic load of the airport, capacity of the runways, taxi-times and much more.
To check which italian airports support the use of vACDM on VATSIM you can use this map.
¶ Terminology
EOBT Estimated off-block time: The estimated time that an aircraft will start movement (time filed in flight plan)
TOBT Target off-block time: A more accurate and updated time than EOBT, usually set by the pilot but can be set by the controller as well
TSAT Target startup approval time: The time provided by ATC taking into account TOBT, CTOT and/or the traffic situation that an aircraft can expect start up/push back approval
ASRT Actual startup request time: Time where the outbound is fully ready and requested startup
EXOT Estimated taxi-out time: Taxitime from the position to the assigned runway, including pushback
TTOT Target take-off time: The target take off time taking into account the TOBT/TSAT plus the EXOT
CTOT Calculated take-off time: The time calculated and issued by the appropriate Central Management unit, as a result of tactical slot allocation, at which a flight is expected to become airborne (Used during slotted events)
¶ Setup
To start using vACDM you first need to log on and set the correct runway in use and enable the “startup list”. To do so at the top EuroScope toolbar go to QUICK SET -> SHOW STARTUP LIST
It is recommended to also click on “TSAT” to have the list ordered by TSAT.
Below is also a list of the commands of the startup list:
vACDM commands
To activate vACDM type .vacdm master in the ES chat
This command is generally used by the controller managing vACDM (usually the Delivery controller or designated positions like LIMC_O_DEL). All other users should type .vacdm slave
¶ Colors
The times displayed in the Startup list use different color codes to indicate the status of the milestone.
- ORANGE = Time invalid or expired
- LIGHT GREEN = TOBT valid but not confirmed / TSAT not yet within the start up window (+5 / -5)
- DARK GREEN = TOBT valid and confirmed / TSAT within start up time
- LIGHT YELLOW = Valid but not Confirmed (More than 5 minutes delay expected)
- DARK YELLOW = Valid and Confirmed (More than 5 minutes delay expected)
¶ Examples
-
ITY97 TSAT is expired
- A new TSAT will be calculated after setting a new TOBT, manually by ATC or via the website by the pilot
-
ITY9926 has filed his EOBT as 1520
- It has not been confirmed
- He his within +5 / -5 of his TSAT, his startup can be approved
-
WMT601 has been approved for pushback and startup
- He has requested startup at 1519 (ASRT) and it has been approved, TOBT, TSAT and ASRT are now grey
-
KLM1608 has set and confirmed his TOBT as 1527
- He has set his TOBT via the vACDM website
- He his within +5 / -5 of his TSAT, his startup can be approved
-
ETH37G has set and confirmed his TOBT as 1529
- He has set his TOBT via the vACDM website
- There is more than 5 minute delay between his TOBT and his TSAT
-
RYR70HC has filed his EOBT as 1530
- It has not been confirmed
- There is more than 5 minute delay between his TOBT and his TSAT
-
ETH37G has requested startup
- ATC has placed the ASRT marker
- He must wait for his TSAT to be within the startup window
It is not required to confirm the TOBT before approving pushback
If you choose to edit the TOBT the TSAT may change and be delayed
¶ Usage
As the controller managing vACDM you may be presented with the following situations when pilots request startup / pushback:
Dark green TSAT
TSAT is within startup window (+5 / -5), left click on ASRT, set his STS to READY and send him to the ground controller for pushback.Green TOBT (dark / light) light green TSAT
The pilot has called ready before his TSAT window, set the TOBT to "now" by either right clicking the TOBT or left clicking and selecting "TOBT now".This will result in two possibile scenarios:
- TOBT and TSAT become dark green, traffic can be handed over to ground for startup
- TOBT becomes yellow and TSAT remains light green, delay can be expected
Yellow TOBT and light green TSAT
The pilot has called at his TOBT but delay is expected, communicate the TSAT and mark the ASRTBe aware, in case of turnarounds vACDM does not show the traffic in the lists. To solve this, select any status in the STS column.
¶ Phraseology
Aircraft calls for startup and his TSAT is dark green:
Malpensa Operations, EJU49T ready for startup
EJU49T, Malpensa Operations, for startup contact ground on 121.900
Aircraft calls for startup and his TSAT is light green:
Malpensa Operations, SSR56MB ready for start
SSR56MB, Malpensa Operations, TSAT 1540
or
SSR56MB, Malpensa Operations, expect startup at 1540
In case the TSAT is green but delay is needed (due to departures not flowing as expected)
Venezia Delivery, EWG6PM request push and start
EWG6PM, Venezia Delivery, expect startup at TSAT + 5