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Flow Management Position (FMP)

General

Flow Management Position (FMP) describes a working position which is responsible for ensuring a constant flow within a FIR.

Normally, on VATSIM, Langen operates under the principle of "free flow", meaning there are no restrictions on aircrafts´ movements, departures, or arrivals. However, during periods of high traffic, flow control may used. Flow control measures may be issued either by a local FMP, if one is present, or through a larger traffic management initiative like ECFMP (European Collaboration and Flow Management Project).

Setup for EDGG

In Langen two different types of FMP Positions can be used. EDGG_A_FMP and EDGG_C_FMP. None of these positions have an own sector nor an own frequency:

  • Langen profile "EDGG FIR - Coordinator.prf" shall be used
  • Open the EDGG.asr 
  • Open AMAN (Arrival Manager) if needed -- (enter ".aman open" in the chat of Euroscope)
  • Open the "Predicted Traffic" and "Operations Rate" via TopSky if neede
Predicted Traffic & Ops. Rate

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Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM) on VATSIM

A range of solutions is being considered to ensure that available capacity is used as efficiently as possible and aligned with the expected traffic demand profile.

The primary objectives of ATFM are to:

  • Match traffic demand with available ATC capacity

  • Maintain safe and orderly traffic flow

  • Reduce controller workload and traffic complexity

  • Ensure fair and predictable service for pilots

Key focus areas include:

  • Sector management and sectorisation

  • Number of active sectors and opening times

  • Sector configurations and handover procedures

  • Arrival and departure balancing

  • Use of holding patterns and spacing techniques

ATFM Phases on VATSIM

ATFM on VATSIM follows three conceptual phases: strategic planning, pre-tactical planning, and tactical operations. While these phases mirror real-world ATFM, their application is adapted to VATSIM constraints.

Strategic Planning:

Scope: Long-term or event-based planning
Responsibility: Event coordinators, FIR staff, senior ATC

Strategic planning focuses on high-traffic events, seasonal peaks, or large-scale operations. On VATSIM, these measures are primarily advisory and depend on anticipated controller availability.

Typical strategic elements include:

  • Designing sectorisation concepts for high-demand periods

  • Defining preferred arrival and departure flows

  • Publishing recommended routings and procedures

  • Identifying potential bottlenecks (sectors, aerodromes, airspace boundaries)

Unlike real-world ATC, strategic capacity increases on VATSIM are not guaranteed and rely on voluntary controller staffing.

Pre-Tactical Planning:

Scope: Short-term planning before the day of operation
Responsibility: FIR staff, event organisers, confirmed ATC teams

Pre-tactical planning refines strategic concepts based on confirmed ATC coverage and updated traffic expectations.

Common pre-tactical measures include:

  • Publishing ATC and pilot briefings

  • Coordinating arrival and departure flows

  • Defining sector opening and closing sequences

  • Recommending alternative routings to reduce congestion

  • Planning off-load routes or secondary airports

These measures should be clearly communicated through official VATSIM channels, such as event pages, Discord, or FIR briefings.

Tactical Operations:

Scope: Real-time traffic management
Responsibility: Active ATC units

Tactical operations are executed during live traffic situations and represent the most critical ATFM phase on VATSIM. Controllers must continuously assess traffic demand relative to their sector capacity.

When demand exceeds capacity, controllers may apply tactical measures to maintain safe operations.

Examples include:

  • Issuing holding instructions

  • Applying speed control and spacing

  • Delaying departures or clearances

  • Rerouting individual aircraft

  • Restricting entry into a sector temporarily

Effective coordination with adjacent sectors is essential to prevent overload and ensure smooth traffic flow.

ATFM Measures Available to VATSIM Controllers

Controllers may apply the following ATFM measures as appropriate:

Rerouting

  • Tactical rerouting of individual flights to reduce congestion

  • Use of predefined off-load or secondary routes during events

Traffic Advancement or Delay

  • Advancing departures when capacity allows

  • Delaying pushback or start-up clearance to manage demand

Minimum Departure Intervals (MDI)

  • Applying spacing between departures from the same aerodrome (seconds or minutes)

  • Used to protect arrival streams or downstream sector capacity

Miles-in-Trail (MIT)

  • Ensuring minimum longitudinal spacing between aircraft

  • Particularly useful for managing arrival sequences or sector entry rates

Holding Patterns

  • Use of published or tactical holding to absorb excess demand

  • Should be applied proportionally and communicated clearly to pilots

 

 

 

 

https://skybrary.aero/articles/flow-management-position-fmp

https://skybrary.aero/articles/air-traffic-flow-management-atfm

https://skybrary.aero/articles/atm-sector-management

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