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

TasksAir Traffic Flow Management (ATFM) on VATSIM

VariousA range of solutions areis underbeing considerationconsidered to ensure that available capacity is maximisedused inas alignmentefficiently 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 activations
    handover procedures

  • Arrival and departure balancing

  • Use of holding patterns and spacing techniques

ATFM

HoldingPhases pattern

on

Balancing arrival / departure capacity

Reduce traffic complexity

VATSIM

AirATFM trafficon flowVATSIM management is structured intofollows three successiveconceptual 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 involves measures that are normally implemented well in advance, often several months ahead and therefor not usedfocuses on VATSIM.high-traffic Theseevents, seasonal peaks, or large-scale operations. On VATSIM, these measures are developedprimarily following consultations with air traffic control (ATC) service providersadvisory and aircraftdepend operators.on anticipated controller availability.

Typical examplesstrategic includeelements increasinginclude:

ATC

capacity,
• such

  Designing assectorisation deploying controllers from another facility to manage seasonal or temporary traffic peaks. Another key measure is the rerouting of certain traffic flows,concepts for examplehigh-demand byperiods

  restricting
flights
• based

  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 their departure point or destination. Within the European Union, such restrictionsVATSIM are definednot inguaranteed theand Routerely Availabilityon Documentvoluntary (RAD).controller Additionally,staffing.

flights

Pre-Tactical may be scheduled or rescheduled to balance traffic demand where appropriate. During this phase, the potential need for tactical ATFM measures is also identified.

Planning:

Pre-tacticalScope: Short-term planning takes place one day in advance and can be regarded as a fine-tuning of the strategic measures. Detailed plans for the following day are published and made available to all concerned parties. Examples of pre-tactical measures include limited rerouting of specific traffic flows, which generally has less impact than strategic rerouting, coordination of off-load routes, and decisions on the use of tactical measures for the next day, as opposed to merely identifying the need during the strategic phase.

Tactical operations cover measures that take effect onbefore the day of implementation.operation
Responsibility: ThisFIR 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 focuses on executingVATSIM. theControllers previously agreed actions andmust continuously monitoring the traffic situation to ensure the measures achieve the intended results. Whenassess traffic demand is expectedrelative to exceed the capacity of a particulartheir sector or aerodrome, the ATC unit informs the ATFM (Air Traffic Flow Management/FMP) unit so that appropriate restrictions can be applied. Affected operators are also advised of any expected delays and restrictions.capacity.

WhatWhen candemand beexceeds done?capacity, controllers may apply tactical measures to maintain safe operations.

Examples include:

• Rerouting Flows/Flights

  Issuing holding instructions

• Advancing traffic

  Applying speed control and spacing

• FMP tactical

  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)

• Miles in

  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