Skip to main content

WIP - natTrak Tutorial

This tutorial is currently being updated and is currently not accurate to how natTrak functions. DO NOT USE this tutorial until further notice.

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 (BIRD_x_CTR) are strongly encouraged to use natTrak to handle RCL messages from pilots on VATSIM.

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:

Screenshot 2024-10-20 170004.png

The most important tabs on natTrak are:

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

Processing RCL Requests

After you open the "Pending Messages" page, you will see the following page.

image.png


To take action on a request, click "ACTION" next to the flight you wish to clear. This will open a separate tab in your browser containing the aircraft's clearance request.

clearance req.png

Here, you have an opportunity to change any relevant aspect of the aircraft's request, including their cleared routing, flight level, Mach number, or to impose a restriction such as crossing their entry point at or before/at or after a given time.

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.

Once you are ready to send the clearance, simply click "Transmit Clearance" and the clearance will be sent to the pilot! The clearance request page will update to show the clearance request in the bottom left.

1st clearance.png

As with real-world datalink operations, the pilot does not need to reply to the clearance if they accept it (they will only contact you if they have a question or a request.) You may now close their request message window.

Transmitting Re-clearances

To transmit an amended clearance to 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. You will be faced with a page that looks very similar to the Pending Messages one.

[IMAGE]

Click on the "Action" button next to the aircraft you want to issue a re-clearance to. You will see the same "Request Message" page as when you issued their clearance.


To issue a re-clearance, simply change whatever you need to change in the "Send clearance" side of the page, and then click "Transmit Reclearance." The page will update with a new clearance message 

Back to top