Originally Posted by
Gonzo
GWH,
I may be completely wrong on this, but I think the idea is still to call GMP when ready, even though you might have already got the clearance through ACARS.
You are quite correct sir.
Some of you are missing the point. EFPS, there is a specific datalink bay. An a/c, by technological wizardry beyond my moth like brains comprehension, sends a magic message to our little database which informs us heshe is ready for clearence along with all the usual appropriate data (a/c type bla bla bla). You respond by populating the neccessary clearance fields (as you will with all types of clearance on efps) and send it back to the a/c. If heshe acknowledges the clearance correctly the 'strip' will automatically moves to the 'cleared' bay and then you continue as you would with any other a/c (good 'ole voice comms).
If anything goes wrong anywhere along the line a simple 'revert to voice' msg is sent to MrMrsMiss Pilot.
I.E... all you are cutting out is the actual action of reading the clearance to a pilot and having himher repeat it, et voila, the point of the excercise... Saving RT time.
I also discovered you can be talking to one pilot giving a voice clearance whilst at the same time sending one to another a/c by datalink... Genious.
Fear not chaps, its a great system! (and I am in no way management or taking a back hander from datalink).
Ciao.