A-CDM trials have been implemented at some airports within the VATPRC airspace. More info please visit A-CDM in trial operation
VATPRC have just started to test our slot booking system. To give pilots a better understanding of our system, here are some explanations:
- The slot booking system is meant to be used for limited routes specified in our events, and is not available for other routes.
- Times shown in the booking system are UTC.
- All departure times shown in the system are CTOT. Please refer to the descriptions below.
- Pilot shall request their departure clearance no later than 15 minutes prior to their slot’s departure time. If a pilot failed to do so, their booked slot time will be forfeit.
- The departure time(ETD)/Target Off-Block Time(TOBT) in the flight plan shall be the estimated time for pushback instead of the booked slot time.
- The Calculated Off Blocks Time(COBT)/Target Startup Approval Time(TSAT) will be issued 5 minutes prior to CTOT/TSAT. Aircraft shall request for pushback and startup within 5 minutes before and after COBT/TSAT time. The ground controller may adjust the pushback time regarding the actual situation.
- All modifications in the slot booking system shall be submit no later than 2 hours before the event starts. Late submissions will not be submitted into the system.
- The booking system will only correlate your CID with your booked slot. It is not intended and will not reserve a specific aircraft type or callsign for your booking.
- Flights without a booked slot and flights missed their booked/issued departure time will have to wait for the next available slot due to flow control.
Explanations on Calculated Time of Takeoff (CTOT):
- CTOT is the time that the aircraft starts rolling for takeoff after instructed by the controller. It is not the pushback time.
- Departure clearance will be issued 15-30 minutes prior to CTOT.
- Cleared pushback time is between 5 minutes prior to COBT/TSAT until 5 minutes after COBT/TSAT.
- Cleared takeoff time is between 5 minutes prior to CTOT until 10 minutes after CTOT.
- Controllers will hold flights on the ground who failed to follow the above time limits until the next available slot due to flow control.
For example:
A flight booked a slot for 1145z should request their departure clearance between 1115z to 1130z, then request for pushback between 1125z to 1145z (Based on the TSAT of A-CDM System). The takeoff time for this flight should be as close as possible to the slot time(1145z), between 1140z to 1155z.
Please note: ETD in the flight plan should use EOBT/TOBT or estimated time for pushback requests, instead of the slot time in the booking system. The actual pushback time will be given by the ground controller regarding the actual situation.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: if I plan to depart from an event airport to a non-event airport, do I need to book for a slot?
A: No. However, you might experience delays due to flow control to ensure the airspace is not overcrowded.
Q: If I plan to depart from a non-event airport to an event airport, do I need to book for a slot?
A: No. However, you might be restricted from entering the event airspace.
Q: I want to participate in the event, do I need to book for a slot?
A: It is strongly recommended to do so since the controllers will prioritize flights with a booked slot. If you don’t have one, you’ll have to wait in line until a slot becomes available.
Q: Do I have to specify the aircraft type and/or a callsign when I book?
A: No.
Q: What if the callsign that I want to use for my flight has been taken by someone else?
A: We don’t reserve callsigns for any booking, it’s on a first come first served basis. In fact, nothing will correlate to your booking other than your CID.
Q: Do I have to strictly follow those time windows?
A: Yes. Otherwise your slot will be forfeited.
Q: I have already been approved for pushback, and it’s still a bit early for my slot time, do I have to hold and wait?
A: No. Please request for taxi as soon as you’re ready.
Q: How many slots are there?
A: It varies on each event.
Q: Can I start my pushback before my pushback window?
A: No. If you have a booked slot, you have to operate within those time windows.
Q: What if I missed my slot time for takeoff?
A: You will be put back into the queue and wait for the next available slot. Feel free to explain your situation to the controller, and the controller may, depending on the reason for the delay, reduce your wait time.
Q: Where can I book for a slot?
A: The link to the booking system will be posted in the event page.
If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to contact our event staff.