ACDM for ATC
A small quiz to get comfortable with the ACDM process is available here. No personal data will be stored.
Connection
The station doing the Delivery duties at an ACDM airport (EDDF, EDDL, EDDS, EDDK) has to connect as Master for the CDM plugin, using the CDM Airport Panel. It is only possible to have one master connection at the time.
| Not connected as Master | Establishing connection | Connected as Master | Someone else is the Master |
When an other controller is taking over, the current Master need to revert to the Slave Mode first.
In case of a Euroscope crash the command ".cdm recover {icao}" has to be used!
ACDM Handling as Delivery
ASRT should be used to track the startup requests. vSID Startup Request can be used additionally, but is not required.
| Outbound is not ready | Outbound is ready |
||
| Enroute Clearance | before TSAT - 5 minutes | TSAT ± 5 minutes | after TSAT + 5 minutes |
|
- set CRF - make sure TOBT is set |
set ASRT + REA |
issue startup | set TOBT to "now" |
What to do if the TOBT is still in the future when the outbound is ready?
Only update the TOBT to "now" when the TOBT was not set by pilot or ATC previously or you think there will be a benefit for the outbound, otherwise stick to the times.
When the TOBT is still in the future and startup delay (TSAT - TOBT) is more than 5 minutes, set TOBT to "now". When the TOBT has already passed, resetting the TOBT to now will not have any improvement.
It is recommended to sort the Startuplist by CRF (recommended because it's easy to see who already has the enroute clearance) or TSAT for the best overview.
TOBTs set by ATC/Pilot will have priority over EOBTs (no "SETBY"), as the times are not "confirmed" and may cause unnecessary delays!
Delay Situations
The ACDM process does not track the actual amount of traffic still on the ground. With pushback and/or departure delay, manual startup delay need to be added. For the command check the command list below. It is recommended to monitor the vSID Startup Counter as well as the TTOTs on the Taxi-Out Lists. The max. amount of active startups at the same time should not be exceeded.
When it's getting more crowded, event EXOTs (taxi times) should be activated (".cdm event") to buffer pushback and taxi delays! Don‘t forget to deactivate it when there is no delay anymore!
Before using the Startupdelay command, delay within the startup window should be used when it's only required for a few outbounds.
Pilot: DLH3FA request startup.
ATC: DLH3FA roger, I will call you according TSAT
ATC: DLH3FA roger, I will call you at TSAT + 5
A minimum of 10 minutes startup delay should be used to see an effect. Depending on the traffic situation, startup should be issued at TSAT in this case, not 5 minutes before.
Clickspots Euroscope
The Startup list has all required items displayed by default. For the Departure list only the CTOT is displayed by default. All further items need to be displayed manually via the Filter.
| Item | left click | right click |
| OBT | TOBT Options (ACDM Airport) | EOBT Options (non ACDM Airport) |
| TOBT | edit TOBT | set TOBT now + ASRT + REA status |
| TSAT | SUG status | toggle ASRT + REA status |
| ASRT | toggle ASRT | toggle ASRT + REA status |
| CTOT | add CTOT as CTOC | toggle ASRT + REA status |
| ASAT | -- | -- |
| TTOT | -- | -- |
| Item | description | left click |
| EOBT | pilot filed EOBT | EOBT Options |
| CTOC | CTOT Communicated | CTOC Options |
| PM | VDGS link via private message | send PM with vats.im/vdgs link |
| SETBY | TOBT set by ATC/Pilot | send PM with vats.im/vdgs link |
| NSTS | Network Status (REA/FLS) | Network Status Options |
| FLOW | restricting airport/sector | get flow message as text |
Items not displayed by default can be activated with the list filter "F".
Network Status
The following network status will be displayed within the NSTS Item.
| Status | description |
| REA | Ready status is send for CTOT improvements |
| FLS-CDM | Flight Suspension when TSAT Window is missed (ACDM Airport only) |
| FLS-NRA | Flight Suspension, not reported airborn (missed TTOT based on EOBT) |
| FLS-MR |
Flight Suspension due to Mandatory Route => check ECFMP Discord Channel for require route |
| FLS-GS | Flight Suspension due to Ground Stop |
| FLS-P | Flight Suspension due to a prohibit rule (e.g. prohibited waypoint) |
Colors
The following colors are used for the different items within the Tower PHX Profil.
| Item | Item Color |
||||
| TOBT | before TOBT -5 | after TOBT -5 | Flight Suspension | ||
| TSAT | TOBT -35 to TSAT -5 |
first minute of TSAT window |
TSAT ± 5 | last minute of TSAT window | after TSAT + 6 |
| CTOT | CTOT by ATFCM | ||||
| CTOC | CTOT improvement | CTOT worsening | CTOT canceled | CTOT ± 5 | |
| TTOT | before TTOT + 10 | after TTOT + 10 | |||
| NSTS | REA (ready message) |
FLS (Flight Suspension) |
|||
Coordinator Duties
Delivery Coordinator should not connect as Master. All ACDM handling in Euroscope is done by Delivery itself!
Coordinator should monitor and work the vIFF Dashboard on vats.im/atm for ACDM and flow duties!
Airport Default Capacities
Each ACDM Airport has default runway capacities. Frankfurt and Düsseldorf always have the maximum amount of traffic set the airport can handle. For Stuttgart and Köln the capacity is balanced between inbound and outbound traffic. It needs to be adjusted on the current traffic situation if required.
Capacities can be modified via the vIFF website (vats.im/atm).
| EDDF |
EDDL |
EDDK / EDDS | |||
|
OUT 18: OUT 07C/07R: OUT 25C/25L: |
36/h 36/h 24/h |
OUT Single RWY: OUT Dual RWY: |
26/h 32/h |
max. TOTAL: OUT: |
48/h 24/h |
| INB: | 58/h | INB DUAL: | 30/h | INB: | 24/h |
ACDM at Minor Airports
The ACDM process ist not used at minor airports. Do not connect as Master!
CTOTs are calculated based on the filed EOBT with a standard taxitime. All outbounds shall comply with CTOTs.
REA Message
Whenever the pilot has received a CTOT, a REA MSG can be sent to the system once the pilot has reported ready. This will lock the CTOT and allow improvements. The CTOT will never get worse when the REA MSG is set.
In case the outbound missed the CTOT, a new EOBT (right click on OBT in the DEP list) need to be set in the flightplan.
Top-Down Service with ACDM
ACDM should be used for top-down service whenever workload permits.
Pilots should not be asked for TOBTs directly. Once the outbound aircraft is ready, the TOBT should simply be set to the current time. ACDM should not be used when controllers are overloaded with a high volume of traffic. In such situations, maintaining safe and manageable operations must remain the priority.
Try to follow the CTOTs as closely as possible to support efficient traffic flow management within the enroute area.
CDM Plugin Commands
The following plugin commands are the most important commands during daily operations.
| ACDM Commands | |
| .cdm startupdelay {icao}/{rwy} {start_time} | Startup delay, next TSAT at a specific time |
| .cdm LVO | toggle LVO rates |
| .cdm event | toggle event (high traffic) taxitimes |
| .cdm rmkctot | toggle set ".Cxxxx" as CTOT in the ES Remarks |
| .cdm realmode | toggle real mode (EOBT used as initial TOBT with lower prio) |
| Plugin Commands | |
| .cdm master {icao} | Master Mode |
| .cdm slave {icao} | Slave Mode |
| .cdm recover {icao} | used after CTD |
| .cdm panel | Airport panel |
| .cdm atfcm | ATFCM panel |
| .cdm help | display all commands |