# Departing Traffic

We ask all pilots to also read the [General section](https://knowledgebase.vatsim-germany.org/books/airports-langen-fir-edgg/page/general-Wgj "EDLN Pilotbriefing General") with **information relevant to all pilots**.

### Preparation A thorough preparation is important for any flight. We ask you to **conduct a thorough briefing to avoid delays and keep it fun for everyone**. ##### Route planning You can find valid routes for many destinations in the [AeroNav Global Route Database](https://grd.aero-nav.com/ "Global Route Database (AeroNav Association)"). When planning a route via SimBrief, please use routes with the Eurocontrol icon, as those will generally be valid. [![Eurocontrol SimBrief.jpg](https://knowledgebase.vatsim-germany.org/uploads/images/gallery/2023-04/scaled-1680-/eurocontrol-simbrief.jpg)](https://knowledgebase.vatsim-germany.org/uploads/images/gallery/2023-04/eurocontrol-simbrief.jpg)

When filing an invalid flight plan, you will usually have to **file a completely new flight plan** before ATC can issue your enroute clearance.

##### SID assignment If there is no SID leading to the first waypoint of your flight plan, **please check which AIRAC you are using** - if your AIRAC cycle is too outdated, it might take some time until the controllers can coordinate a solution for you. Please also make sure you are **complying with the following restrictions** that exist for some of these waypoints.
**Waypoint** **Restrictions**
**GMH** only for flights with requested **max. FL140**
**KUMIK** only for flights with requested **min. FL150**
**SONEB** only for flights with with requested **min. FL140** and **via RKN or TENLI**
### Enroute Clearance Clearance requests in Germany are very short. Please **avoid unnecessarily long clearance requests** to reduce frequency congestion. > **Pilot:** Mönchengladbach Ground, Brilliant 1009, stand A3, request enroute clearance, information M. #### Datalink Clearance (DCL) Mönchengladbach also offers electronic datalink clearances (also known as PDC or Pre-Departure Clearance) on VATSIM using the [Hoppie ACARS system](https://www.hoppie.nl/acars/ "Hoppie ACARS"). The station code is **EDLN**. If your aircraft does not have a direct integration of the Hoppie system, you can also use [easyCPDLC](https://github.com/quassbutreally/EasyCPDLC "easyCPDLC GitHub page").

Requesting clearance electronically is **preferred over voice clearances** as it reduces frequency congestion thus avoiding delays. Because of this, we ask all pilots able to use the Hoppie ACARS system to do so.

### Startup Startup approval is the "go" from the controller's side to start your engines. It is also an **assurance that you will be cleared to start moving within the next 20 minutes**. ### Pushback Pushback is not required as **all stands at Mönchengladbach are taxi-out positions**. ### Taxi While Mönchengladbach's layout is relatively simple, it is still important to conduct a **thorough briefing of expected taxi routes** as well as **correct taxiing**. To avoid delays for yourself and other users, **start taxiing as soon as possible after receiving your taxi clearance** and **request taxi in a timely manner after your pushback**.

If you are unsure about your taxi instructions, **hold position and inform ATC immediately**.

### Takeoff Mönchengladbach has only one runway which needs to be used for both departures and arrivals. While there is usually not too much other traffic, it is still important to **begin your takeoff roll as soon as you receive your clearance** and be prepared for immediate takeoff clearances, especially because Mönchengladbach procedures conflict with [Düsseldorf](https://knowledgebase.vatsim-germany.org/books/airports-langen-fir-edgg/chapter/eddl-dusseldorf "Pilotbriefing EDDL") procedures and there may only be a small gap to accommodate your departure. If you take too long, **ATC might have to cancel your takeoff clearance** and issue a go around for an arriving aircraft. ##### Auto-handoff Mönchengladbach utilizes an auto-handoff procedure for IFR departures where **Tower will not hand off outbounds to the approach controller**. As the airborne frequency changes depending on the operating direction and staffed positions at [Düsseldorf](https://knowledgebase.vatsim-germany.org/books/airports-langen-fir-edgg/chapter/eddl-dusseldorf "Pilotbriefing EDDL"), it will always be given to you by the Tower controller.

Contact the airborne frequency **immediately when airborne** unless explicitly told to remain on Tower frequency.