CDM Operation

CDM (Collaborative Decision Making) is a complex but vital part of ensuring we can cope with the traffic levels on VATSIM. In order to use CDM properly it is important that you understand

• The logic behind CDM operation
• How to effectively use CDM operation

1.1 Purpose

The first thing you need to understand is that there are TWO (2) different kinds of CDM, They are intertwined and both must be respected.

• A-CDM (Airport - Collaborative Decision Making)
• vIFF CDM (Intergrated Flight and Flow - Collaborative Decision Making)

These two systems work towards seperate goals, but must constantly talk to eachother as they are codependent. A change to one of the entities can affect the other one. In order to ensure compliance we have intergrated it all in a user friendly managed manner within FlightStrips

1.2 Abbriviations & Explanations

Many foreign abbreviations are being used for CDM, and we need to cut it into the bone of knowing just the basics for your daily routing

Term

Name

Description

Usage

EOBT

Estimated

Off Block Time

The time the pilot has filed his flightplan to be ready for Startup

Used as initial planning for the TOBT until system, ATC or Pilot says otherwise.

TOBT

Target

Off Block Time

Time the pilot targets to be ready for Startup, depending on the loading process and pax delays

Accepted via pilot EOBT. Can be modified by ATC, the Pilot, CTOTs or automatically by the system at any time.

TSAT

Target

Start Approval Time

Time the ATC targets to provide pilot with his startup, based on capacity restrictions at his TOBT

Based on the filed TOBT, system will calculate the closest time to the TOBT that startup can be approved to respect all flow restrictions

CTOT

Calculated

Take-Off Time

Time pilot must be “Takeoff” in order to respect a restriction en-route or at arrival field

If a vIFF restriction en-route forces aircraft to be airborne in a certain time window a CTOT will be produced to ensure this.

ASAT

Actual

Start Approval Time

Actual time of Start.

Locks the timings in vIFF

EXOT

Estimated

Taxi-Out Time

Expected time between Start and Takeoff

Standard timings based on gate

TTOT

Target

Take-Off Time

Expected Takeoff Time based on Taxi out time and TOBT.

Used to ensure an even departure rate

1.3 Flow Control Logic

Flow Control logic works through constant calculations. It is important that you understand the logic.

1. Pilot Logs onto VATSIM Network. In his Flightplan he has filed an EOBT.
2. FS evaluates the validity of EOBT, and assigns a TOBT.
3. A-CDM process begind. Based of the TOBT and available space in sequence a TSAT is "calculated"
4. The TSAT is send to vIFF servers for calculation.
5. vIFF servers used TSAT to calculate the routing to the destination, and if it exceeds ATC capacity anywhere
6. One of two things happen:
   1. • • a) No restrictions are identified, and TSAT is returned without edits to A-CDM.
        • b) Restrictions identified, CTOT produced to comply with restricionts and returned to A-CDM.
7. A-CDM either confirms the TSAT, or calculates a new TSAT based on CTOT restriction
8. TSAT is "Assigned" to an aircraft.
9. If a TOBT is updated by either pilot or ATC, steps 3-8 are repeated.

Refer to flowchart below for visual explanation

2. CDM Procedures in FlightStrips