Pilot guide: VDGS & CDM

Departing from BIKF, BIRK, BIAR, BGGH, BGSF or EKVG? These airports use CDM (Collaborative Decision Making) to give every flight a fair start-up time and avoid queues at the runway.

The short version

1. File your flight plan with a realistic off-block time (EOBT). Flow management uses it to plan your slot before you connect.
2. Once on board, go to vats.im/vdgs and confirm or update your TOBT: the time you expect to be ready for push and start.
3. WatchCall Delivery for your clearance. You will get a TSAT on(start-up thetime), VDGS.and Thisa CTOT (slot) if your flight is when you will get start-up.regulated.
4. Call ATCready for start-up no later than 5 minutes after your TOBT. Start-up is approved within ±5 minutes of your TOBTTSAT.

The times

Time	Meaning	Who sets it
EOBT	Estimated off-block time, from your flight plan	You, in the flight plan
TOBT	Target off-block time: when you will be ready to push	You, on the VDGS (or ATC)ATC on first contact)
TSAT	Target start-up approval time: when ATC will approve your start-up	The CDM system
CTOT	Calculated take-off time (slot): you must take off within -5/+10 minutes	Flow management

On frequency

If you have not set a TOBT on the VDGS, Delivery will ask for one before giving your clearance:

ATC: "ICE123, report your target off-block time."
Pilot: "Target off-block 1420, ICE123."

Your clearance ends with your slot (if you have one) and your start-up time:

"ICE123, cleared to London Heathrow via DELES2C departure, runway 19, squawk 2341. Slot 1450, expect start-up at 1435, call ready for start-up."

Read back the slot and start-up time with the rest of the clearance.

Good to know

• Your TSAT can change until start-up is approved. Check the VDGS before you call.
• Start-up is approved within ±5 minutes of your TSAT. If you call earlier,for start-up earlier than TSAT-5, you maywill be asked to wait.
• If you are ready earlier than your TOBT, update it on the VDGS. You may get an earlier TSAT.
• If you are running late, update your TOBT as soon as you know. This frees your slot for someone else.
• If you misshave not called ready by 5 minutes after your TOBT by more than 5 minutes,TOBT, or your TSAT expires, your times are cancelled and you must setgive a new TOBT.
• If you have a CTOT, ATCplan willyour tellstart-up and taxi so you with your clearance. Read it back and plan tocan take off onwithin time.-5/+10 minutes of it.
• If you are going to miss your CTOT, tell ATC as early as possible. ATC can extend it once by 10 minutes; otherwise you will get a new slot, which may be much later.
• Using SimBrief? The vIFF for SimBrief browser extension shows your CTOT alongside your flight plan.

Confirming your TOBT on the VDGS is not mandatory, but it is the best way to avoid long delays. If you do not, ATCDelivery will setask for your TOBT when you call.call for clearance.