natTrak Tutorial

natTrak is a tool developed by VATSIM to simulate how oceanic Request for Clearance (RCL) and CLX (Clearance) messages are handled in real life via CPDLC. VATSIM Scandinavia Iceland has adopted this tool for Reykjavik ACC/OAC.

All controllers on Reykjavik Control and Iceland Radio are strongly encouraged to use natTrak.

Logging On

First, click the "Sign In With VATSIM" button at the top right of the website. Provided you are already logged onto VATSIM with a BIRD callsign, you will be redirected to a screen that looks like this:

The most important parts of natTrak are:

• Pending Messages — Shows RCL messages which have not yet been reviewed by ATC.
• Processed Messages — Shows RCL messages which have been reviewed.
• Create Manual Clearance — Allows you to manually create an RCL message in natTrak for an aircraft which did not file a request via natTrak.

There are also the following areas (less relevant to everyday controlling):

• NOTAMs — Lists recent changes to Nattrak. Usually these are just backend bug fixes, and the facility engineer will notify controllers of any major/relevant changes.
• Notify New ETA for Pilot — This is not for controllers. Pilots using natTrak will use this page to update their own ETA in their RCL, if it has changed. Controllers have NO ACCESS to this page.

Processing RCL Requests

After you open the "Pending Messages" page, you will see a list of all pending (unreviewed) RCL messages for all the NAT OCAs.

To review an RCL message, click "View [CALLSIGN]" for that message. You should only take action on RCL messages for whom the target is BIRD.

This will open a separate tab in your browser containing the aircraft's clearance request.

If there is no issue with the RCL message

If there is no issue with any part of the aircraft's RCL message, then press the blue Move to processed list button. This will move the request to the Processed List. The RCL will then look like this:

If something needs to be changed on the RCL message

If some part of the aircraft's RCL message needs to be changed (e.g., to avoid a conflict), then you may use the dropdowns/text boxes under the ATC Clearance section to issue an amended clearance to the aircraft.

As a reminder, changing an aircraft's FL, Mach, etc. here only means it has to achieve that FL, Mach, etc. by the time it enters oceanic airspace. If you issue a different "Cleared time over" then the aircraft will change its own speed at pilot's discretion to achieve that time.

ToAfter reviewmaking any necessary changes, you should press the variousgreen elements:

Transmit

ChangeReclearance Flightbutton Level

to

send

Thisthe ispilot a dropdownmessage menuwith whereyour youamended can change the aircraft's flight level upon oceanic entry. The dropdown menu will denote an aircraft's originally requested level, as well as the maximum level the aircraft can achieve. (You should not assign a FL above the aircraft's maximum level.)

Change Mach

This is a dropdown menu where you can change the aircraft's Mach speed upon oceanic entry. The dropdown menu will denote an aircraft's originally requested Mach speed.

Cleared Time Over & Entry Restriction

Here, you can change the time the aircraft is cleared to clearance.

At the moment, whereas changing an aircraft's flight level, Mach number, etc. generates an additional "warning" message in the clearance to indicate the change, changing an aircraft's route does not do so.

Hence, when amending an aircraft's cleared route, it is recommended to add "ROUTE AMENDMENT" into the Free text field, to achieve the same effect.

TransmittingReviewing Re-clearancesProcessed RCLs.

To transmit an amended clearance toreview an aircraft you (or a previous controller) already processed the RCL message of, the process is very simple.

Firstly, if you do not already have the aircraft's request message pulled up from issuing their clearance, you may go to the Processed Messages page to retrieve it.

Click on Processed Messages.Messages, Youthen will be faced with a page that looks very similar to the Pending Messages one.

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Clickclick on theView "Action" button next tofor the aircraft youin wantquestion.

to issue a re-clearance to.

You will see the same "Request Message" page as when you issuedprocessed their clearance.RCL.

Issuing Revised Clearances After Processing

To issue a re-clearance, simply change whateverIf you need to changerevise inany part of an aircraft's RCL after processing it initially, you should coordinate with the "Senddomestic clearance" side ofATC the page,aircraft andis then click "Transmit Reclearance." The page will updatecurrently with a(if newonline), clearanceor direct message the pilot on VATSIM. There is currently no facility to do this on natTrak.