[30th October 2021] Cross the Pond Eastbound - Discussion Thread

[justinthomas7]

2 hours ago, Nick Marinov said:

TOTs usually have a tolerance of –5 to +10 minutes. However, in our particular situation, ATC can extend the time to suit their needs.

But since we don't control our take off time, only the time we first call for pushback & taxi, I'm assuming if we start that process 30 mins prior at a busy airport like JFK that won't be a problem.

Don't want to get stuck in a queue of aircraft and then being late.

[Timm Brecht]

One question about the Maximum Flight level in the Dashboard:

how are step climbs worked in to that? Do I put in there the max initial flight level or the max flight level after step climbs?

[Andreas Fuchs]

40 minutes ago, Nick Marinov said:

All reported problems have been addressed with those who reported it via email/pm.

That leads me to another question: the CTP-website does not really offer any contact-instructions, or at least I did not find any. Otherwise we would have asked Stephan to contact the CTP-team by e-mail or PM.

[Robert Shearman Jr]

5 hours ago, justinthomas7 said:

But since we don't control our take off time, only the time we first call for pushback & taxi, I'm assuming if we start that process 30 mins prior at a busy airport like JFK that won't be a problem.

Don't want to get stuck in a queue of aircraft and then being late.

The airport briefing for your departure airport will contain some information on recommended lead times to connect and push.

At that point, you're correct -- if you've met those guidelines, it's then incumbent upon the local controllers there to get you out on time.  If you want some insight on how that works, I'll be livestreaming Dulles Tower on Saturday morning from 645am-1030am EDT.  (twitch.tv --> slantalphaadventures)

[Dennis Woodrow]

8 hours ago, Timm Brecht said:

One question about the Maximum Flight level in the Dashboard:

how are step climbs worked in to that? Do I put in there the max initial flight level or the max flight level after step climbs?

From an earlier response:

On 10/22/2021 at 5:01 PM, Kieran Hardern said:

...

This flight level is the maximum level you anticipate to be able to achieve by the ocean. We will allocate you a level at or below this level when we assign your route.

...

You can then request climbs in-flight.

[Kieran Hardern]

As you are hopefully aware, you are now NOT able to make changes to your booking. This includes dropping, changing callsign or changing your maximum flight level.

Your dashboard should remain available to you between now and the event. The exact details of your route and FL will be confirmed about 24-28 hours from now. It will therefore be available on your dashboard on the event day, usually along with an email.

We have processed our SELCALs and Flight Levels tonight. The FL in your plan is now allocated. Most of the time we've been able to go near to what you've submitted as your maximum, however where we predict a lot of co-incident traffic at an oceanic entry point people have had to be pushed to lower levels. There are a few unlucky ones of you who are much lower than planned, please plan for that possibly being your level across the ocean, however once you're in the ocean feel free to ask the track controller for higher as it may well be available then.

Flight Levels may change tomorrow, but are unlikely to. Whatever is on your dashboard the morning of the event, is what you need to go by.

[Pulastya Parekh]

Hi,

When i booked my slot, i had entered the Max FL as FL410. However that seems to have changed to FL350 now, when the site was frozen. Will i have to do the entire flight at FL350 then? or is it an restriction for just the oceanic part?

Best,

Pulastya

[Robert Shearman Jr]

45 minutes ago, Pulastya Parekh said:

Hi,

When i booked my slot, i had entered the Max FL as FL410. However that seems to have changed to FL350 now, when the site was frozen. Will i have to do the entire flight at FL350 then? or is it an restriction for just the oceanic part?

Best,

Pulastya

Read the post immediately above yours. 

[Don Desfosse]

  

[Marin Yang]

Our TAF Table for CTP departure fields has been updated.

Check out the full CTP weather briefing by us: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1bbF-wBEvdMzI3Sepf_FkLjUbxQqpO7on

[Don Desfosse]

The calm before the storm.....   🙂

 

[Chris Pawley]

During the last weeks, we have worked hard to ensure that more than 1,000 event aircraft are able to Cross the Atlantic in harmony during the next 20 hours. 

 

We have just uploaded routings for all slot holders into our database, which means that this should now be visible to you when you login to our website (ctp.vatsim.net). We also recommend to double check your flight plan on the CTP website dashboard tomorrow - as we fix small errors in the routings overnight.

 

Please note that all Track identifiers apply to this CTP event and do not match the published tracks which you may find in your flight planning software or other resources. Please take care to carefully plan your flight via the correct entry and exit points, and that you will fly over all of the intermediate coordinates. For tomorrow’s event, you cannot/should not file any of the real-world NAT tracks - as we have designed our own routings to enable us to utilise the full capacity of the ocean during the event.

 

As a reminder, all slot times are Take-off Time in Zulu - click here to find the current time in Zulu. Wherever possible you should use the callsign you booked your slot with, so as to enable controllers to match booked pilots with their slot times.

 

Please also check our website for your assigned SELCAL code in order to avoid conflicts with one another during the event.

 

We look forward to seeing you in the skies in a few short hours! You can follow along the whole day via #vatsimctp on twitter and our CTP channels in Discord (grab the CTP role in #role-requests).

[Chris Pawley]

 

Flying as non-event traffic (non-event meaning flying across the ocean in either direction without a slot) during CTP will always result in a delay and we will need you to fly via specific routes and at certain flight levels. 

 

We do this in order to manage traffic in an appropriate manner, to prioritise traffic that has a slot and to enable us to ensure a minimal amount of conflicts across the Atlantic and within our domestic sectors.

 

All Non-Event Transatlantic Aircraft flying Eastbound

 

Flight planning

 

When starting a flight on a North Atlantic routing during the departure window of CTP, you must be on one of the non-event routings which will be assigned to you.

AND

You must be at FL290 or below within Domestic Airspace. Traffic may be climbed higher when in the vicinity of the Ocean, at the discretion of the controllers (please wait for at least 30 minutes after entering oceanic airspace before requesting a higher FL (ideally include your requested level when making this request))

 

If you plan to depart from an event airport at the same time as those who have a slot for the event - we recommend that you connect to the network 15-30 minutes earlier than you would normally. You can expect to receive an ATC clearance (this may be via PDC or voice, depending on which airfield you depart from) - this will contain the full correct routing for your flight. We do not recommend that finalise your flight planning or programme your FMC until you receive your clearance. It will almost certainly be a re-routing for any flight you have planned yourself.

 

Clearance Request process

Clearance will be issued by a delivery controller at a staffed airport in North America, however, depending on your routing, this will be slower than usual. These controllers will liaise with other colleagues in order to ensure the best route for your flight during the event. You can expect a delay during your departure, which may be while you are at your parking position or during taxi to the runway (depending on local procedures).

 

Oceanic Experience

It is likely that part of our non-event traffic will cross the Atlantic without ATC, while other traffic may have ATC where conflicts may arise with event routings, or where capacity exists. If you are handed off to unicom whilst over the ocean, please remain at the flight level you were last cleared to on NATTRAK (if routing via New York Oceanic, your level will be assigned via voice).

 

All Non-Event Transatlantic Aircraft flying Westbound

 

Flight planning

 

When flying a westbound North Atlantic flight during CTP, you can choose to be on one of the following random routes depending on your airfield of departure and destination. This will allow you to use a flight level above FL280.

 

GOMUP 58N015W 58N020W 58N030W 58N040W 56N050W 54N055W LOMSI

 

SOMAX 50N020W 49N030W 47N040W 46N050W RELIC

 

OR

 

You fly a different random routing across the Atlantic (or one of the real, Westbound NATs) - then you must be at FL280 or below for the duration of the time you are in Oceanic airspace.

 

Clearance Request process

There is likely to be normal or slightly reduced weekend coverage in Europe during your departure window and this means it is unlikely that you will have anyone check your flight plan until you reach the Oceanic clearance. We recommend that you follow the guidance above to minimise delays and disruption during your flight.

 

Oceanic Experience

You will not receive any Oceanic ATC while flying Westbound at FL280 or on the tracks above. Here you will remain out of conflict with all event traffic.

[Andrej Lippay]

Hello,

I log in to NATTRAK website and I do not have any option. Is this correctly showing? No menu, nothing. Where do I click to obtain Oceanic Clearance?

Thanks!
Andrej

[Tobias Dammers]

22 minutes ago, Andrej Lippay said:

Hello,

I log in to NATTRAK website and I do not have any option. Is this correctly showing? No menu, nothing. Where do I click to obtain Oceanic Clearance?

Thanks!
Andrej

IIRC the Clearance Request UI is only visible when you are logged onto VATSIM with an active flightplan.

[Valerio Trigari]

Good Morning, I booked and confirmed a slot for the event, but unfortunately due to events beyond my control I can't take part anymore... In the CTP dashboard I couldn't find a way to release the slot so that someone else can take it. Could you please help me out with this? Thank you!

[Andrej Lippay]

1 hour ago, Tobias Dammers said:

IIRC the Clearance Request UI is only visible when you are logged onto VATSIM with an active flightplan.

Rgr that and thank you!

[Andreas Fuchs]

36 minutes ago, Valerio Trigari said:

Good Morning, I booked and confirmed a slot for the event, but unfortunately due to events beyond my control I can't take part anymore... In the CTP dashboard I couldn't find a way to release the slot so that someone else can take it. Could you please help me out with this? Thank you!

I think that the database is locked now and such operations are not possible anymore.

[Valerio Trigari]

6 minutes ago, Andreas Fuchs said:

I think that the database is locked now and such operations are not possible anymore.

Ah I see, thank you for letting me know. It's a pity I can't give my slot to somebody else...

[Andreas Fuchs]

Well, if someone contacted you here in private, you could pass all your flight and slot information on, so they can let the ATC know. Maybe they can change it in the database.

[nathaniel mitchell]

ok whats going on i thought ctp was meant to be fair, i ve been unable to get a book since this lottery system came in and even before the system came in, But i did notice big twitch streamers have had a slot every time, excuse me for   asking but how is that fair and dose it not defeat  the whole  lottery sytem if they are just given slots. 

[Timm Brecht]

Why are people going out before me with the same destination and a slot a lot later than me? Not understandable….

[Tobias Dammers]

11 minutes ago, Timm Brecht said:

Why are people going out before me with the same destination and a slot a lot later than me? Not understandable….

If you're ready to depart earlier than your slot, and there's wiggle room to get you out, they will.

[Timm Brecht]

17 minutes ago, Tobias Dammers said:

If you're ready to depart earlier than your slot, and there's wiggle room to get you out, they will.

I’m holding short of the runway for 2 hours now and they aren’t even online that long when they depart

[Tobias Dammers]

That doesn't sound right at all. I just got out of Boston with no delay.