Software & Manuals
Here is an overview of all related software as well as manuals and guides. Usage procedureres found here as well as in the GOP
- EuroScope ATC Client
- CDM - Collaborative Decision Making Tool
- Arrival Load Balancer - ALB
- VACS
- Flightstrips
EuroScope ATC Client
Installation guides, modification and troubleshooting
Introduction
VATSCA releases its sector files in collaboration with AeroNav through the dedicated AeroNav sector file website. This means that sector files for Denmark must be manually installed and applied in EuroScope in order to function correctly. They cannot be downloaded automatically.
This guide will walk you through the initial installation of EuroScope, followed by your first sector file installation, and finally how to update your sector files when new versions are released.
The Copenhagen FIR currently uses the following version of EuroScope: https://euroscope.hu/install/EuroScopeSetup.3.2.3.2.msi ↗
Installation
Table of Contents
Prerequisites
Before installing EuroScope, make sure to download and install the latest Microsoft C++ Redistributable packages. These can be downloaded from here ↗
Additionally, download and install the modified EuroScope font from here ↗
Installation of Euroscope
The installation of EuroScope is straightforward. Simply follow the installer instructions. The only step requiring input is selecting the folder where you want the files installed.
Click "Next" to reach the location selection screen:
Select the folder where you would like EuroScope to be installed. The recommended location is the C: drive.
Then click "Next" again to proceed to the final confirmation screen.
And that's it, the installation is complete! Click "Close" to exit the installer.
Your first instinct might be to launch EuroScope, but don't do that just yet.
First, install your sector files as described below.
Installation of Sector Data
Begin by opening File Explorer. You can do this easily by pressing Windows + E.
Next, locate your AppData folder. The easiest way is to click the address bar, type "%appdata%", and press Enter; this will take you directly to the folder.
Locate your EuroScope folder. It should look roughly like this.
Next, go to files.aero-nav.com/SCA ↗. Log in using your VATSIM/Navigraph account, then download the ZIP file named "EKDK EKDK_FIR-Full-Package".
Once downloaded, open the ZIP file. Inside, you should see a set of files and folders, including the EKDK folder.
Copy all contents of the ZIP file into your EuroScope installation directory. After doing so, your EuroScope folder should resemble the structure shown below.
You can now open EuroScope for the first time. Once it has loaded, you'll be greeted by the following window. If you're just starting out as an observer for your S2 training, select the "DK_GND" file and click "Open".
Updating sectorfiles
Updating of Sectorfiles
Sector files are updated:
- Approximately every 28 days, when a new AIRAC cycle is released;
- Whenever a major change is published in our internal files.
When a new sector file update is released, go to https://files.aero-nav.com/SCA ↗.
Download the "EKDK EKDK_FIR-Update-Only" package instead of the full package.
Begin by opening File Explorer. You can do this easily by pressing Windows + E.
Next, locate your AppData folder. The easiest way is to click the address bar, type "%appdata%", and press Enter; this will take you directly to the folder.
Locate your EuroScope folder.
As with the initial installation, open the ZIP file and copy all contents into your EuroScope installation directory. You will be prompted to overwrite existing files; make sure to select "Yes".
At your own discretion, it can be a good idea to delete the following three files before installing new sector files. This helps ensure that EuroScope does not accidentally load outdated or additional ESE or RWY files when launching.
This can happen because some file names are not always identical and therefore may not be overwritten during the update process. This step is not always necessary, but it can be beneficial in certain cases.
CDM - Collaborative Decision Making Tool
What is CDM
CDM is a modern tool helping us to manage traffic flow, both in and out of Copenhagen but also to ensure capacity is not breached other places. Likewise it is used by other airports to modulate traffic flow to help our sectors
CDM is MANDATORY for ALL online controllers to different extents!
-
ATFCM is management of CTOTs as is mandatory for ALL controllers regardless of position as long as traffic load allows. This is discussed under "Simplified CDM Procedures"
-
A-CDM is management of TSAT for sequencing within the airports, and is mandatory for TWR/GND controllers to the extent feasable. This is discussed under "Expanded CDM Procedures"
-
CDM Module should always be running regardless
Abbreviations and Explanations
CDM: Collaborative Decision Making: patent term concerning flow restriction and planning to ensure appropriate ATC capacity during all phases of flight
ATFCM: Air Traffic Flow Control Management: Tool to modulate flights based on sector capacity by use of CTOTs to modulate traffic limitation around Europe.
A-CDM: Airport-Collaborative Decision Making: local airport flow regulations based on turnaround and TOBTs to ensure planes taxi and take off in a manner avoiding congestion
EOBT : Estimated off block time: Time filed by the flightplan as planned start up time
TOBT: Target off block time: Time filed by the pilot after entering airplane as proposed start up time
TSAT: Target Start Up Approval Time: System created time for start up approval to comply with CDM/ATFCM
ASRT: Requested Start Up Time: Time pilot has requested start up, to search for earlier TSAts
CTOT: Calculated Takeoff Time: Time the pilot should take of at +10/-5 min, to comply with ATFCM.
What does it all mean?
Quick Breakdown for the basic rules
EOBT is always filed as part of the flight plan
TOBT is filed and changed during the boarding as predicted ready time may be changed back and forth. Pilot can freely choose this time. It is essentially a "Fine Tuning" of EOBT. A controller may also set this time.
TSAT is the time the CDM has targeted the pilot to start up on. This is based on
- 40 slots pr. hour meaning a takeoff time every 90 seconds
- Taxi time to the runway
- Making extra separation between two identical SIDs
- Finding a slot - taxi time which is as close as possible to the pilot filed TOBT.
ASRT is purely a marker you use to remind yourself pilot has requested start-up
ASAT is the time he has been given startup which is also in a way a marker.
Pilots KNOW their TOBT (it is filed by them)
Pilots DO NOT know their TSAT (It is constantly changing and is calculated by the system)
What to expect from Pilots
- Pilot have a off block time or EOBT. This is filed with the flightplan
- TOBT is automatically calculated and will initially be identical to the EOBT
- Pilots will access "vats.im/vgds" to "Confirm" their off block time. This should be done by pilots who want to avoid extensive delay, but is not mandatory
Pilots shall call within +/- 5 minutes of their TOBT (the one they know)
Start-up shall only be granted within +/- 5 minutes of the TSAT (the calculated one)
Simplified CDM Procedures (APP/CTR)
Starting CDM (All Controllers)
As the first thing when you log on you must activate CDM to use it
Write .cdm master EKCH to activate!
How to do controller change correctly
- The Old controller changes to Slave with command .cdm slave EKCH
- Once there are no master controllers, the new controlles gets the master "role" by writing .cdm master EKCH
Simplified CDM Procedures (Top-down by APP/CTR)
This part of CDM is known as the ATFCM
Simplified CDM procedures are done from departure list. Please know that:
- You are completely allowed to perform expanded CDM procedures if your capacity allows
- You MUST adhere to displayed CTOT for takeoff
- You may ignore TSATs without CTOTs, if workload is too heavy.
Reference Material
Press on the top of the TSAT column where it says TSAT! This orders the departure list after TSATs and makes it easier to manage
Actions for simplified CDM procedures are identical as expanded, but with more freedom
You departure list now features a TOBT, a TSAT and a CTOT.
TOBT shows the estimated time of departure filed by the pilot.
- TOBT: Is Light green when the time is valid but not yet within the window for startup.
- TOBT: Is Dark green when the time is within time for startup approval.
- TSAT: Is Light green when the time is valid but not yet within the window for startup.
- TSAT: Is Dark green when the time is within time for startup approval.
- TSAT: Is Yellow when the time is within 1 minute from expiring
- TSAT is blank if time is expired.
- CTOT: Is Green, Orange or Red depending on the type of restriction triggering the CTOT.
Procedures
Aircraft calls for ATC Clearance
If CTOT is present: Advise of CTOT. You MUST in this case adhere to the TSAT. Advise pilot about CTOT!
If no CTOT: No further action required at this stage
Aircraft calls for STARTUP/PUSHBACK
- Right click on TOBT to signal aircraft ready for startup.
if CTOT is present:
- Adhere to TSAT Displayed . If TSAT is not yet within startup window (Light green), pilot must wait.
- When TSAT is within startup window (Dark Green) (+/- 5min) Start-up can be approved.
if no CTOT is present
- Start and push can be approved, regardless of TSAT time
- Be aware that non-adherance to TSATs may result in longer waiting times at the runway.
Explanations
NIL
Expanded CDM Procedures (TWR/GND/DEL)
Starting CDM (All Controllers)
As the first thing when you log on you must activate CDM to use it
Write .cdm master EKCH to activate!
How to do controller change correctly
- The Old controller changes to Slave with command .cdm slave EKCH
- Once there are no master controllers, the new controlles gets the master "role" by writing .cdm master EKCH
Expanded CDM Procedures (TWR/GND/DEL)
This is both conducting ATFCM via CTOTs and A-CDM through use of TSATs
Expanded CDM procedures are done from Startup list, but can be done via departure list for TWR. Please know that:
- You should adhere to A-CDM procedures unless traffic load is low, either through Departure list or Startup list.
- You MUST adhere to displayed CTOT for takeoff
Reference Material
Press on the top of the TSAT column where it says TSAT! This orders the departure list after TSATs and makes it easier to manage
With expanded mode there is a lot more information, but procedures are very similar
Descriptor
There are four main descriptor of times (EOBT, TOBT, TSAT, CTOT), separated by three descriptors (E, TTG, CONF), and an additional four additional items (ASRT, ASAT, DE-ICE, ECFMP).
- EOBT: Estimated Off Block Time
- The pilot filed off block time from the flightplan (e.g. Simbrief). The one passengers shows up for.
- TOBT: Target Off Block Time.
- The pilot filed off block time, via our CDM tool to confirm actual time of start-up readiness.
- TSAT: Target Start-up Approval Time.
- The time our system calculates based off the TOBT, to have the pilot fit into the sequence.
- For internal capacity mainly
- CTOT: Calculated Takeoff Time
- A Takeoff time at which the aircraft must depart within -5/+10 min of. TSAT is adjusted accordingly.
- For external capacity (ECFMP, ATFCM)
(Color) Coding
EOBT
TOBT
TSAT
CTOT
LIGHT GREEN
--
Valid, but not yet Active
--
DARK GREEN
--
Active
By CDM Server*
YELLOW
--
TOBT+4
TSAT+4
Default Color
RED
Flight Suspended
--
By CAD*
ORANGE
EOBT >5min from TOBT
By Manual Event*
WHITE
Default color
*Not important to know
- E: A descriptor about the validity of the filed TOBT.
- TTG: Time until the TSAT (- equals time to go, +equals past TSAT)
- CONF: A descriptor if the TOBT has been confirmed ( or altered) by either "pilot" or "ATC"
-
(Color) Coding
E
TTG
CONF
DARK GREEN
Correct (C) or Passed (P)
-35min until +3 min
Default Color
YELLOW
--
+4min until +5 min
TSAT+4
RED
Invalid (I)
--
-
- ASRT: Actual Start-up Request Time
- The pilot requested start-up if done so before TSAT is active.
- ASAT: Actual Start-up Approval Time
- When start-up approved (STUP or PUSH in Status), ASAT activates and rest of line goes gray.
- DE-ICE: De Icing assigned
- De-ice is required for the pilot, hence taxi out time will be extended.
- ECFMP: European Central Flow Management Position
- A note on what is the origin of a particular flow measure. Only for information.
Procedures
Procedures depends on whether you are handling SEQ only or DEL+SEQ.
Aircraft calls for ATC Clearance (if within AOR)
If CTOT is present: Advise pilot about CTOT!. Advise on earliest startup time (TSAT)
If no CTOT: No further action required at this stage.
Aircraft calls for STARTUP/PUSHBACK
Check your timings and note:
- If TSAT is Dark Green, Start-up can be approved.
- If TSAT is Light Green, Pilot is still more than 5 minutes early. he must wait.
- If TSAT is Yellow Start-up can be approved, but be quick, it will soon expire.
- If TSAT is Blank, Flightplan expired and new TOBT must be filed.
If TSAT is Light Green or a CTOT is present or TOBT is Invalid (expired), try to improve it by sending a "Ready message" by *right clicking on the TOBT. This updates the TOBT to current time, and tries to recalculate everything to look for an earlier time.
If TSAT remains Light Green after that, Start-up cannot yet be approved.
- Click ASRT to remind that a request has been made by the pilot
- Approve Startup when TSAT turns Dark Green
When start-up approved
- Update Status to STUP or PUSH to activate ASAT, and blank out the rest of the times. Aircraft is released.
Flow Chart
Right click on image and select "Open in new tab" to see picture in higher resolution
Arrival Load Balancer - ALB
Manual
https://sodgaard.github.io/Euroscope-ALB_Releases/
VACS
We are starting to use a new communication tool, for easier coordination. This will give a better way of getting in contact with the different controllers, needed for coordination.
1. Download Instructions
DOWNLOAD VACS
2. Installation and Configuration
Install it and setup your audio preferences by clicking on the SETTINGS 
If you cannot see input impacts, click on the VU meter, and you can now see the input. Under transmit mode, you can choose Push to mute, and use the button, as you are using in trackaudio, this way the mic in VACS will be muted if in a call.
3. Profiles
Profile is now automatically fetched from the server.
4. Usage
You now call a station instead. Simply select the ATC station you want to reach (e.g., "CH TWR", "DK B", "DK UA"), and vacs will automatically route your call to the controller currently in charge of that station. Top-down coverage and sector inheritance typical to VATSIM are handled automatically, ensuring your call always reaches the right person. If a station is covered by multiple controllers (e.g., during a coordinator/mentoring session), they will all receive the call and can choose to answer it.
This brings coordination much closer to its real-life equivalent - you dial a position rather than a specific person.
Additionally, you can now select the station you are calling from. This gives the recipient more context, indicating which region they should expect to coordinate with you on.
- Single click on a station you control sets it as a temporary call source. Your next call will originate from this station, then reset automatically.
- Double click (clicking the same key again) sets it as the default source, which persists across calls.
- Clicking again unsets it.
You can have both a temporary and a default source selected at the same time. The temporary source takes priority for the next call and then reverts to the default.
To Call a controller : Click on the icon of the controller you want to call. The open line appears in the bottom right corner in green, and a call tone appear until the VACS line is picked up.
To answer a call: The green icon in the bottom right, will appear signifying the controller trying to call you. Press that bottom right icon, to answer the call.
to finish a call: Click the green icon in the bottom right corner. The icon will disappear, and all icons turn gray, signifying no active call is ongoing.
Flightstrips
The project can be found on Github and docs are docs.flightstrips.dk