How to - CPDLC - Setup & Operation

The iniBuilds A380 Airliner allows for in-sim CPDLC connections for use with online networks such as Vatsim/IVAO as well as popular 3rd-party ATC programs via a connection to the HOPPIE network. These connections are seamlessly integrated into the Multi-Function Display (MFD) ATC Communications (ATC COM) pages and functions to allow users to conduct the following tasks:

• Request Digital ATIS (D-ATIS) or METAR

• Communicate with ATC via CPDLC

Setup - EFB

To set up your connection:

1. Open the EFB and navigate to Settings > 3rd Party.

2. Enter your
   - Hoppie Callsign in the designated field (this is your Hoppie Logon Code) or
   - Say Intentions ID in the corresponding field.
   These fields can be filled in manually using the on-screen keyboard, or you can paste your codes directly into the field.

3. Under CPDLC Source, select your preferred provider from the dropdown:

   • Hoppie

   • SayIntentions

   • BeyondATC
     

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Operation - Connecting to a Station

Press the ATC COM shortcut key on the KCCU to access the MFD ATC COM pages. Then go to the 'CONNECT' page.

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To connect to a station:

1. Type the station ID in the 'NOTIFY TO ATC' field.

2. Click the 'NOTIFY' button to send a connection request to the station.

3. The status will update with a green 'NOTIFIED TO YYYY at XXXXZ' where YYYY is the station ID, and XXXX is the current ZULU time in the sim.

Once a station is connected successfully, the 'NOTIFY' button will be greyed out and a green 'ACTIVE ATC: YYYY' status will be shown on the MAILBOX.

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Operation - Requesting D-ATIS / METAR

Press the ATC COM shortcut key on the KCCU to access the MFD ATC COM pages. Then:

1. Select the D-ATIS tab to go to the D-ATIS page.

2. Enter a 4-letter ICAO Code in the airport entry field.

3. Select the request type from the dropdown

   - DEP: Departure ATIS if station is split between _DEP and _ARR or using an ATC Program (like BATC)
   - ARR: Arrival ATIS if station is split between _DEP and _ARR or using an ATC Program (like BATC)
   - NONE: Departure/Arrival ATIS if station is NOT split between _DEP and _ARR

4. You can display D-ATIS for up to 3 airports at a time.

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Click the SEND REQUEST button to request D-ATIS via your selected CPDLC source. You will then receive:

• METAR: if an ATIS station for that airport is offline, the latest published METAR will be received.

• ATIS: if an ATIS station for that airport is online, the latest DEP or ARR ATIS will be received.

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You can update the ATIS individually by pressing the respective 'UPDATE OR PRINT' button, or use UPDATE ALL to grab the latest information. You can also set AUTO UPDATE to update it periodically.

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Operation - Making an ATC Request

In order to build a request message, you can use the predefined templates accessible via the REQUEST page. The empty fields contained in the templates indicate where you can enter complementary information. These fields must be filled in when they contain amber boxes.

To make a message:

1. Select the desired template from the REQUEST MENU.

2. Select the desired option from the REQUEST SUB-MENU.

3. Fill in any fields with amber boxes as these are mandatory.

4. Click 'XFR TO MAILBOX' button to confirm the message and send to ATC.

5. Or you can click the 'TRASH' icon to delete the current template.

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To send the message:

1. Move your cursor to the 'MAILBOX' by pressing the MAILBOX shortcut key on the KCCU if it is not there already.

2. Click the 'SEND' button.

3. After a few seconds the message background will turn green and when successful the status will update to 'SENT'.

4. The message will then disappear and the MAILBOX will return to the 'ACTIVE ATC' status page.

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Operation - Receiving an ATC Instruction

Whenever you receive an incoming message/instruction from the connected ATC, you will be notified in the following ways:

• The blue ATC MSG button on the glareshield will flash continuously.

• The ATC MSG aural alert will play. You can reset this by pressing the blue ATC MSG button.

• The MAILBOX will show you the most recently received message, with the possible replies (e.g. WILCO/UNABLE) next to it.

To reply to the ATC message or instruction:

1. Click the desired reply (e.g. WILCO) to confirm it, then click 'SEND' to transmit the reply to ATC.

2. The selected option and message will turn green and when transmitted successfully the status will update to 'SENT'.

3. The message will then disappear and the MAILBOX will return to the 'ACTIVE ATC' status page.

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Operation - Disconnecting from a Station

Press the ATC COM shortcut key on the KCCU to access the MFD ATC COM pages. Then go to the 'CONNECT' page.

To disconnect from the station:

• Click the 'DISCONNECT ALL' button.

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Once a station is disconnected successfully:

• The 'NOTIFY' button will be white again.

• The MAILBOX will clear out.