Document Information
Version 1
Created 12/30/2020 17:01
Last Updated 08/05/2022 16:50
by Matthew Woerly
  1. Main
  2. Quick Reference
  3. ZSE Alias Command Reference

Alias Command Guide

These alias commands are made by FE-Buddy every AIRAC cycle.

How to read this guide

  • Plain text, typed exactly as shown. For example: ".apt"
  • Highlighted Replace it with the real value. Its colour shows what goes there:
    • Airport ID
    • ID or name
    • Approach type
    • Variant or circling letter
    • Runway
    • Page number
  • Dashed Optional.
  • Commands are not case-sensitive
    • These two work the same:
      • .aptsea
      • .aptSEA
  • Airport IDs
    • Use the FAA ID, not the ICAO ID, unless the command says otherwise. For example, SEA, not KSEA.

In-Scope Reference (ISR)

Information cards for airports, NAVAIDs, airlines/VAs, CWT, and aircraft types.

Syntax Description Example
.apt
FAA or ICAO airport ID

Shows the airport's card:

  • FAA and ICAO IDs, name, tower type and ARTCC
  • Longest runway, elevation and traffic pattern altitude
  • FSS, CTAF and weather frequency
  • Attended hours (for towered airspace only)
  • Class of airspace, with the hours it is in effect
 .aptPDX .aptKPDX
Example display for .aptPDX 
APT:            PDX - KPDX
                PORTLAND INTL
                AIRPORT
FAC TYPE:       TWR
ARTCC:          ZSE
LONGEST RWY:    10R/28L (11000′)
                CONC
ELEV:           30.8′
PTRN ALT:
FSS:            MMV
CTAF:
WX:
ATNDCE HRS:     ALL
AIRSPACE:       Charlie
  HRS:          ALL
.nav
NAVAID ID or name

Shows the NAVAID's card:

  • ID, name, type and frequency
  • The ARTCCs it is in, for high and low altitude airspace
When entering the name, leave out spaces and special characters. When several NAVAIDs share the ID or name, the card lists each of them. 		.navBTG .navBATTLEGROUND .navAW .navWATON
Example display for .navBTG 
NAVAID:         BTG - BATTLE GROUND
                VORTAC
FREQ:           116.60
ARTCC HIGH:     ZSE
ARTCC LOW:      ZSE
.id
operator 3LD or telephony

Shows the aircraft operator's card:

  • Three-letter designator (3LD), telephony, company and country
  • A U.S. special call sign: its agency and expiration date instead
  • A virtual airline your facility added: marked --VA--, with its virtual organization
When entering the telephony, leave out spaces and special characters. When several operators match, the card lists each of them. 		.idPNW .idDELTA .idNASA
Example display for .idPNW 
3LD:            PNW
TELEPHONY:      PALESTINIAN
COMPANY:        PALESTINIAN AIRLINES
COUNTRY:        EGYPT

        +

--VA--
3LD:            PNW
TELEPHONY:      TIMBERLINE
VIRTUAL ORG:    PACIFIC NORTHWEST AIRWAYS
.CWT
CWT Category

Shows radar separation for aircraft on approach or directly behind:

  • CWT Category A-I
  • Follower (2nd Aircraft) behind Leader (1st Aircraft)
When entering the CWT letters, leave out spaces. 		.CWTIF .CWTFC .CWTIC
Example display for .CWTIF 
I behind F: 
On Approach:      4 NM
Directly Behind:  3 NM
.AC
Aircraft Type Code

Shows Manufacturer, Model, FAA Wake Class, CWT Category, Same Runway Separation, Airplane Design Group, Number of engines, and Class

  • Manufacturer: Boeing/Airbus
  • Model: 737-900/A-320neo
  • FAA Wake Class: Small, Small+, Large, Heavy, and Super
  • Consolidated Wake Turbulence category: A-I
  • Same Runway Separation: I-III
  • Airplane Design Group: I-VI
  • Number of engines: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8
  • Class: Amphibian, Gyrocopter, Helicopter, LandPlane, SeaPlane, and Tiltrotor
.ACC172 .ACBE58 .ACA20N .ACB1 .ACB52 .ACFA7X
Example display for .ACB739 
MFR:        BOEING
MDL:        737-900
FAA Wake:   Large
CWT:        F
SRS:        III
ADG:        III
ENG NUM:    2
Class:      LandPlane

Data Display

Draws an airway's or a procedure's fixes on your scope.

Syntax Description Example
.airway ID
f

Shows every fix on the airway, NAVAIDs and airports included.

CRC STARS & ERAM. 		.J5F
.airport ID
departure
f

Shows every fix on the departure procedure (a SID or an obstacle departure), NAVAIDs included, with all of its transitions.

CRC STARS & ERAM. 		.pdxMINNEf
.airport ID
arrival
f

Shows every fix on the arrival procedure (STAR), NAVAIDs included, with all of its transitions.

CRC STARS & ERAM. 		.seaHAWKZf
.airport ID
approach type
variant
runway
f

Shows every fix on the instrument approach procedure (IAP), NAVAIDs included up to the FAF, and missed approach waypoints.

CRC STARS & ERAM. 		.seaI16Rf .paeLY16Rf .pdxRY28Lf

Procedure Names

  • A departure name is the first part of its FAA computer code without the version number. For example: CASCD4.CHISM is CASCD.
  • An arrival name is the second part of its FAA computer code, without the version number. For example: KYCKR.DEVYN2 is DEVYN.
  • A chart with no computer code is spelled out in full instead, without its version number, bracketed words, or the words RNAV, OBSTACLE and COPTER; spaces and punctuation are also removed. For example, TURNAGAIN EIGHT at ANC is .ancTURNAGAINf.

Chart Recall

Opens an FAA chart in your web browser, straight from the FAA's d-TPP. Every airport the FAA publishes charts for is included. A command is a period, the airport's FAA ID, the chart's code, then c.

Syntax Description Example
.airport ID
approach type
variant
runway
c

An instrument approach. The approach type codes are below.

.seaI16Rc .paeLY16Rc .pdxRY28Lc
.airport ID
v
visual name
runway
c

A charted visual approach: a lower-case v (for "Visual"), then the approach's name with spaces and punctuation left out.

.seavHUSKY16Lc .pdxvCOLUMBIA10Lc
.airport ID
procedure
c

A departure, an obstacle departure or an arrival (STAR).

.seaSUMMAc .pscPSCc .ancTURNAGAINc
.airport ID
chart
c

Another of the airport's charts, such as its airport diagram. The chart codes are below.

.hioAPDc .mwhHSc
.airport ID
chart code
c
page

Page 2 or later of a chart with more than one page: the page number goes after the c.

.seaHAWKZc2
.helpCHARTRECALL

Shows a quick reference for writing an instrument approach (IAP) chart recall command:

  • The order of a command's parts
  • The approach type codes, with their /DME and back course codes
  • Four examples, each part labeled
For instrument approaches (IAPs) only, as theirs are the hardest commands to work out. For any other chart, see the commands above or your facility's command guide.

Approach type codes

FE-Buddy uses the eight approach types in common use across the FAA.
A /DME approach adds D to its type's code, while a back course approach adds BC.

Approach Code Example
RNAV (GPS), RNAV (RNP) R .seaRZ16Rc
ILS I .pdxI28Rc
LOC L .hioL13Rc
VOR O .paeOAc
NDB N .awoN34c
LDA D .dcaD19c
GPS G .fotG11c
TACAN T .pdxT28Lc
LOC/DME LD .pdxLD21c
VOR/DME OD .ykmOD27c
NDB/DME ND .adkND23c
LDA/DME DD .dlsDD25c
LOC BC LBC .sleLBC13c
LOC/DME BC LDBC .mfrLDBCBc

Reading an approach's command

  • One command per approach
    • A chart for more than one approach has a command for each:
      • ILS OR LOC RWY 28R at PDX is both:
        • .pdxI28Rc
        • .pdxL28Rc
  • Variant letters (X, Y, Z...)
    • Come after the type code.
    • If the FAA indicates the variant on only one of the approaches on the same chart, the command applies the variant to both:
      • ILS Z OR LOC RWY 16R is both:
        • .paeIZ16Rc
        • .paeLZ16Rc
  • Runways are written without a leading zero
    • RNAV (RNP) Z RWY 03 at GEG is:
      • .gegRZ3c
    • The FAA prints some runways both ways, such as RWY 06 and RWY 6; either way the runway is 6.
    • A chart for two runways has a command for each
      • MALL VISUAL RWY 34L/R at SEA is both:
        • .seavMALL34Lc
        • .seavMALL34Rc
  • Circling approaches
    • Keep their letter where the runway would be, for example VOR-A at PDX is:
      • .pdxOAc
  • RNAV
    • R = RNAV, regardless of what the brackets say, (GPS) or (RNP)
    • Only a GPS approach with no "RNAV" in its name is G.

Charted visual approaches

  • The approach's name is spelled out in full, without the words VISUAL and RWY; spaces and punctuation are removed.
  • Its runway comes right after the name.
Airport Chart Command
PDX COLUMBIA VISUAL RWY 10R .pdxvCOLUMBIA10Rc
BFI BAY VISUAL RWY 14R .bfivBAY14Rc
GEG RIDDLE HILL VISUAL RWY 8 .gegvRIDDLEHILL8c

Departures, obstacle departures and arrivals

  • A departure name is the first part of its FAA computer code without the version number. For example: CASCD4.CHISM is CASCD.
  • An arrival name is the second part of its FAA computer code, without the version number. For example: KYCKR.DEVYN2 is DEVYN.
  • A chart with no computer code is spelled out in full instead, without its version number, bracketed words, or the words RNAV, OBSTACLE and COPTER; spaces and punctuation are also removed. For example, TRI-CITIES EIGHT at PSC is .pscTRICITIESc.

Other charts

Chart Code Example
Airport diagram APD .gegAPDc
Takeoff minimums TM .spbTMc
Diverse vector area DVA .ttdDVAc
Radar minimums RM .nuwRMc
Hot spots HS .mwhHSc
LAHSO LAHSO .hioLAHSOc

Takeoff minimums, diverse vector areas and radar minimums open straight to the airport's own page of the FAA's shared document.

Charts with no command

  • High-altitude (HI-) and COPTER charts
  • PRM approaches
  • Category II and III approaches, and other special-authorization approaches
  • CONVERGING approaches
  • GLS approaches (the other approaches on the same chart still have a command)
  • Numbered approaches, such as VOR-1
  • Attention All Users pages (AAUP)
  • Alternate minimums

The commands below are specific to vZSE. Most of these commands will not work at other ARTCCs.

Quick Reference Page

A quick way to open cheat sheets, LOAs, and SOPs.

Commands are not case sensitive, leave out spaces and special characters.

ZSE References

Description Command

Open this Command Reference page.

 .COMMANDS

Open the ZSE document center page.

 .zseDOCS

Open the ZSE document for SEA/S46 scratchpad rules.

Open the ZSE document for PDX or SEA taxiway restrictions.

Open the Consolidated Wake Turbulence Quick Reference sheet.

.CWT

Open the ZSE Radar Video Map sheet.

 .RVM

Open the ZSE feedback page.

 .FEEDBACK

Open the ZSE preferred routes page.

 .routes

Open the ZSE strip marking reference.

 .STRIPMARKING

Open the ZSE radar cheat sheet.

 .RADARCHEATSHEET

Open the BFI VFR reference.

 .bfiVFR

LOAs

Description Command
Center

Open the ZSE / ZLC letter of agreement.

 .ZLCLOA

Open the ZSE / ZOA letter of agreement.

 .ZOALOA

Open the ZSE / ZVR letter of agreement.

 .ZVRLOA
BDN

Open the BDN / ZSE letter of agreement. No published document yet.

.BDNZSELOA
EUG

Open the EUG / ZSE letter of agreement.

 .EUGZSELOA

Open the MFR / ZSE letter of agreement.

 .MFRZSELOA

Open the EUG / MFR letter of agreement.
GEG

Open the GEG / COE letter of agreement.

 .GEGCOELOA

Open the GEG / PSC letter of agreement.

 .GEGPSCLOA

Open the GEG / YKM letter of agreement.

 .GEGYKMLOA

Open the GEG / ZSE letter of agreement.

 .GEGZSELOA
P80

Open the P80 / HIO letter of agreement.

 .P80HIOLOA

Open the P80 / PDX letter of agreement.

 .P80PDXLOA

Open the P80 / ZSE letter of agreement.

 .P80ZSELOA
S46

Open the RNT / BFI letter of agreement.

 .RNTBFILOA

Open the S46 / BFI letter of agreement.

 .S46BFILOA

Open the S46 / OLM letter of agreement.

 .S46OLMLOA

Open the S46 / PAE letter of agreement.

 .S46PAELOA

Open the S46 / RNT letter of agreement.

 .S46RNTLOA

Open the S46 / SEA letter of agreement.

 .S46SEALOA

Open the SEA / BFI letter of agreement.

 .SEABFILOA

Open the S46 / TIW letter of agreement.

 .S46TIWLOA

Open the S46 / ZSE letter of agreement.

 .S46ZSELOA

Open the S46 / NUW letter of agreement. No published document yet.

  • .S46NUWLOA
  • .NUWS46LOA
Others

Open the LMT / ZSE letter of agreement.

 .LMTZSELOA

Open the MWH / ZSE letter of agreement.

 .MWHZSELOA

Open the RDM / ZSE letter of agreement.

 .RDMZSELOA
NUW

Open the NUW / ZSE letter of agreement. No published document yet.

.NUWZSELOA

Open the NUW / ZVR letter of agreement. No published document yet.

.NUWZVRLOA

SOPs

Description Command

Open the BDN standard operating procedures. No published document yet.

.BDNSOP

Open the BFI standard operating procedures.

 .BFISOP

Open the EUG standard operating procedures.

 .EUGSOP

Open the GEG standard operating procedures.

 .GEGSOP

Open the HIO standard operating procedures.

 .HIOSOP

Open the LMT standard operating procedures.

 .LMTSOP

Open the MWH standard operating procedures.

 .MWHSOP

Open the NUW standard operating procedures.

 .NUWSOP

Open the P80 standard operating procedures.

 .P80SOP

Open the PDX standard operating procedures.

 .PDXSOP

Open the S46 standard operating procedures.

 .S46SOP

Open the SEA standard operating procedures.

 .SEASOP

Open the ZSE standard operating procedures.

 .ZSESOP

Other airports without a standard operating procedure.

 .AIRPORTSOP

EXTERNAL SITE REFERENCES

Some of these commands must have the aircraft selected. Type the callsign and hit your Aircraft select key (Find your A/C Select key by going to General Settings in CRC <CTRL+G>).

Commands that use aircraft data or typed arguments must be run in CRC. Static reference links open in a new tab.

Aircraft

Description Command

Open the ICAO aircraft type designator search.

 .ICAO

Search Google Images for the selected aircraft type.

Aircraft selected 		.SEEAC

Open FAA aircraft registration and N-number information.

.REGISTRATION

Route of Flight

Description Command

Open the selected aircraft's full route in SkyVector.

Aircraft selected 		.ROF

Open FlightAware route analysis using the selected aircraft's departure and arrival airports.

Aircraft selected 		.ROFFA

Open SkyVector.

 .SKYVECTOR

Other

Description Command

Open FlightAware's aircraft flight plan equipment suffix reference.

.EQUIP

Open FAA Order JO 7110.65 in the HTML format.

Open FAA Order JO 7110.65BB PDF

Open IFR charts on AirNav for the entered airport.

This command requires a SPACE after .CHARTS and can use either an FAA or ICAO airport ID (for example, KSEA or SEA). 		.CHARTS <airport ID>

Open IFR charts on AirNav for the selected aircraft's arrival airport.

Aircraft selected 		.CHARTSA

Open IFR charts on AirNav for the selected aircraft's departure airport.

Aircraft selected 		.CHARTSD

Open real-world ATIS for the entered airport.

This command requires a SPACE after .RWATIS, followed by the ICAO airport ID (for example, KSEA or KPDX).

PHRASEOLOGY HELP

These commands display phraseology reminders. Variables such as winds are shown below. The aircraft must be selected for winds to display the wind information.

Military

Description Command

Overhead approach phraseology.

 .OVERHEAD
Display template for .OVERHEAD 
WIND xxx @ xx.
PATTERN ALTITUDE ###.
(Right/Left) TURNS.
REPORT INITIAL RUNWAY ##.

[Initial Report]
    BREAK AT (numbers/midfield/departure end).
    REPORT BREAK.

[Break Report]
    CHECK GEAR DOWN.
    RWY ## CLEARED TO LAND.

Military takeoff phraseology (except cargo and transport types).

.MILCT
Display template for .MILCT 
Military aircraft (except Cargo and Transport types)
    WIND xxx @ xx.
    RWY -- CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF.
    CHANGE TO DEPARTURE.

Military landing phraseology.

 .MILCL
Display template for .MILCL 
WIND xxx @ xx.
Check Wheels Down.
RWY ## Cleared to Land.

Released for Departure (Uncontrolled Field)

Description Command

Release for departure and clearance void time.

"current time" will show the actual current Zulu time. +5 and +10 will add that many minutes to the current time. 		.RFD
Display template for .RFD 
Released for departure.
Clearance void if not off by (current time + 5).
If not off by (current time + 5), advise $radioname() on $freq() not later than (current time + 10) of intentions.
Time now (current time).

Holding instructions

Description Command

Holding clearance phraseology.

 .HOLDING
Display template for .HOLDING 
HOLD (direction) OF (fix/waypoint)
ON (specified radial, course, bearing, track, airway, azimuth(s), or route).
(number of minutes/miles) LEFT/RIGHT TURNS.
EXPECT FURTHER CLEARANCE at (current time + 30).
Time now (current time).

IFR Procedures Phraseology Help

Description Command

VFR-on-top phraseology.

 .OTP
Display template for .OTP 
CLIMB TO AND REPORT REACHING VFR ON TOP.
TOPS REPORTED (altitude, if none "NO TOPS REPORTED").
IF NOT ON TOP AT (altitude), MAINTAIN (altitude), AND ADVISE.

MAINTAIN VFR ON TOP.

GROUND TO GROUND COMMUNICATION

Send coordination messages to another controller about the selected aircraft.

Every command in this section requires the aircraft to be selected before sending the command.

Use the receiving controller's TCP exactly as displayed in the Controllers list. The message opens in a chat tab for that controller. Enter arguments after the command, separated by spaces. Inputs in square brackets are optional.

Notifications

Command Syntax Description Command
.RC
<TCP>
<runway>
[remarks]

Send a rolling call to the receiving controller with the selected aircraft, runway, and departure procedure. Used by the Local controller.

Up to seven additional words of remarks. 		.RC P1D 10R
.RT
<TCP>
<runway>
[remarks]

Notify the receiving controller that the selected aircraft rejected takeoff on the specified runway. Used by the Local controller.

Up to seven additional words of remarks. 		.RT P1D 10R
.LD
<TCP>
[remarks]

Notify the receiving controller that the selected aircraft has landed. Used by the Local controller.

Up to eight additional words of remarks. 		.LD P1D

Departure Release Requests

Command Syntax Description Command
.RR
<TCP>
[remarks]

Request a departure release, including the selected aircraft's departure airport, callsign, type, route, and altitude. Used by a tower controller.

Up to eight additional words of remarks. 		.RR C16
.RA
<TCP>
<minutes>

Approve the selected aircraft's release at a time calculated from the current time. Used by the departure controller.

Enter the number of minutes from now, not a clock time. For example, 5 approves release at the current time plus five minutes. 		.RA P1T 5

Other

Command Syntax Description Command
.M
<TCP>
[message]

Send a general coordination message about the selected aircraft to another controller.

Up to eight words of message text. 		.M P1D ready for departure
.MA
<TCP>
[remarks]

Notify another controller that the selected aircraft is executing a missed approach.

Up to eight additional words of remarks.
  • .MA P1N H080 A030
  • .MA P1N PMA
.PO
<TCP>
<fix>
[remarks]

Send a pointout for the selected aircraft with its distance and bearing from the specified fix and its current altitude.

Up to seven additional words of remarks. 		.PO C16 BTG
.HO
<TCP>
<fix>
[remarks]

Send a handoff message with the selected aircraft's position relative to the specified fix, squawk, callsign, and current altitude.

Up to seven additional words of remarks. 		.HO C16 BTG
.APREQ
<TCP>
<request>

Send an approval request concerning the selected aircraft to another controller.

Enter up to eight words describing the request. 		.APREQ C32 direct ALDER

SCOPE SOFTWARE TRICKS

Auto-track — S46

Convenience commands for setting auto-track for STARS and ERAM users in CRC.

Description Command

Add SEA, BFI, PAE, OLM, TIW, RNT, TCM, and GRF to the auto-track airport list.

.S46

Auto-track — P80

Description Command

Add PDX, HIO, TTD, and UAO to the auto-track airport list.

.P80

Auto-track — GEG, PSC, and YKM

Description Command

Add GEG, SFF, and SKA to the auto-track airport list.

 .GEG

Add PSC, PDT, and ALW to the auto-track airport list.

 .PSC

Add YKM to the auto-track airport list.

 .YKM

For PSC combined with YKM, add PSC, PDT, ALW, and YKM to the auto-track airport list.

.PSCc

For GEG Approach combined with PSC and YKM, add GEG, SKA, SFF, PSC, ALW, PDT, and YKM to the auto-track airport list.

.GEGc

Auto-track — EUG (Cascade)

Description Command

Add EUG to the auto-track airport list.

 .EUG

Add MFR to the auto-track airport list.

 .MFR

For EUG combined with MFR, add EUG and MFR to the auto-track airport list.

.EUGc

Auto-track — MWH (Grant County)

Description Command

Add MWH to the auto-track airport list.

 .MWH

Auto-track — LMT (Kingsley)

Description Command

Add LMT to the auto-track airport list.

 .LMT

Auto-track — NUW (Whidbey)

Description Command

Add NUW to the auto-track airport list.

 .NUW

Auto-track — Others (outside ZSE TRACONs)

Description Command

Add OTH, SLE, RDM, and LWS to the auto-track airport list.

.SATS

Auto-track — Center

Description Command

Auto-track every airport listed above for Center controllers providing top-down service.

.ATALL

Turning off auto-track

To turn off auto-track for a specific facility, use the same command and add off.

Command examples:

  • .S46off
  • .P80off
  • .GEGoff (too turn off just GEG area)
  • .gegCoff (too turn off all GEG, PSC, YKM areas)
  • .PSCoff
  • .pscCoff (too turn off both PSC and YKM area)
  • .YKMoff
  • .EUGoff
  • .MFRoff
  • .eugCoff (too turn off both EUG and MFR area)
  • .MWHoff
  • .LMToff
  • .NUWoff
  • .SATSoff

TEXT TO PILOTS

In order to maintain uniformity, ATC-to-pilot text commands use a T prefix. For example, .tCLOSING is the .CLOSING command with the T prefix, and its text is sent to the pilot.

If you are sending text commands to specific aircraft, select the aircraft first before using commands.

$radioname($1) and $freq($1) use the controller position ID you enter, exactly as displayed in the Controllers list. For example, use P1T, S1W, or C01 when that is the listed ID. With $radioname() and $freq(), leave the parentheses empty: CRC automatically uses your own position, so you do not enter a position ID.

<TCP> means the controller position ID shown in the Controllers list. Use the ID exactly as displayed; the examples below show different list formats.

ZSE - Seattle ARTCC
  • 01Sector 01120.300
  • 02Sector 02128.300
  • 03Sector 03125.100
  • 04Sector 04124.200
  • 12Sector 12134.950
  • 16Sector 16135.450
  • 31Sector 31127.050
  • 32Sector 32126.600
P80 - Portland TRACON
  • P1DHood Radar118.100
S46 - Seattle TRACON
  • S1WArrival West125.600
BFI - Boeing Field ATCT
  • S1BLocal Control West120.600
PDX - Portland ATCT
  • P1OLocal Control 2123.775
SEA - Seattle ATCT
  • G1Ground121.700
  • S1TLocal East119.900
This is what it looks like when working Center. Position IDs appear to the left of each controller position.
ZSE - Seattle ARTCC
  • C01Sector 01120.300
  • C02Sector 02128.300
  • C03Sector 03125.100
  • C04Sector 04124.200
  • C12Sector 12134.950
  • C31Sector 31127.050
  • C32Sector 32126.600
P80 - Portland TRACON
  • 1DHood Radar118.100
  • 1FFinal Radar126.900
PDX - Portland ATCT
  • 1OLocal Control 2123.775
This is what it looks like when working under Center. Use the displayed TCP, including any letters and leading zeros.

General

Command Syntax Description Command
.radiocheck

Send a friendly reminder that radio checks take up valuable frequency time. Only for use during events or other high-traffic situations.

The aircraft must be selected before sending this command. 		.radiocheck
  • .tcon
    <TCP>
  • .tctc
    <TCP>

Tell the pilot to contact the specified controller and frequency.

The aircraft must be selected before sending this command. Use the controller's position ID exactly as shown in the Controllers list (for example, P1T, S1W, or C01).
  • .tcon P1T
  • .tctc P1T
.tmon
<TCP>

Tell the pilot to monitor the specified controller and frequency.

The aircraft must be selected before sending this command. Use the controller's position ID exactly as shown in the Controllers list (for example, P1T, S1W, or C01). 		.tmon P1T
.tnoatc

Advise that no further ATC is available and approve a frequency change.

.tnoatc
.thanks

Thank the pilot for flying in ZSE.

 .thanks
.tBRB
<minutes>

Announce that the controller will return in the specified number of minutes.

.tBRB 5
.tBK

Announce that the controller has returned.

 .tBK
.tCLOSING
<minutes>

Announce that the facility will close in the specified number of minutes.

.tCLOSING 5
.tCLOSED

Announce that the facility is closed and give the closing time in Zulu.

.tCLOSED
.tCLOSEDU

Announce the facility closure, approve a frequency change with no further ATC, and thank the pilots.

.tCLOSEDU
.tCLOSEDHO
<TCP>

Announce the facility closure, tell the pilot to monitor another controller, and thank the pilot.

Use the controller's position ID exactly as shown in the Controllers list (for example, P1T, S1W, or C16). 		.tCLOSEDHO P1T
.THOTMIC

Ask all aircraft to check for a stuck microphone that is blocking the frequency.

.THOTMIC
.TEQUIP

Ask the pilot for their equipment suffix code.

The aircraft must be selected before sending this command. 		.TEQUIP
.newpilot

Welcome a new pilot and direct them to the VATSIM Pilot Resource Center.

The aircraft must be selected before sending this command. 		.newpilot
.newpilotbusy

Welcome a new pilot and refer them to the Pilot Resource Center when you are too busy to assist.

The aircraft must be selected before sending this command. 		.newpilotbusy
.wrongcallsign
<correct callsign>

Advise the pilot of the correct airline callsign and ask them to reconnect using it.

The aircraft must be selected before sending this command. 		.wrongcallsign ASA123
.badairlinecs

Explain airline callsign formatting and ask the pilot to reconnect and refile correctly.

The aircraft must be selected before sending this command. 		.badairlinecs
.badnovembercs

Explain general aviation callsign formatting and provide the FAA N-number reference.

The aircraft must be selected before sending this command. 		.badnovembercs
.rwylogin

Ask a pilot who connected on a runway to disconnect, move to parking, and reconnect.

The aircraft must be selected before sending this command. 		.rwylogin
.twylogin

Ask a pilot who connected on a taxiway to disconnect, move to parking, and reconnect.

The aircraft must be selected before sending this command. 		.twylogin
.xplane

Explain slow X-Plane simulation rate and suggest corrective actions or disconnection.

The aircraft must be selected before sending this command. 		.xplane
.tcharts
<airport ID>

Provide an airport chart link and remind the pilot to have charts available.

The aircraft must be selected before sending this command. 		.tcharts KSEA
.vectorsid

Explain the vector segment of a departure and remind the pilot to wait for ATC instructions.

The aircraft must be selected before sending this command. 		.vectorsid
.sidtransition

Remind the pilot to include the published departure transition in their FMC.

The aircraft must be selected before sending this command. 		.sidtransition
.vectorstar

Explain the vector segment of an arrival and remind the pilot to wait for ATC instructions.

The aircraft must be selected before sending this command. 		.vectorstar
.startransition

Remind the pilot to select the assigned or filed arrival transition in their FMC.

The aircraft must be selected before sending this command. 		.startransition
.whatisdvia

Explain a descend-via clearance and the arrival landing direction.

The aircraft must be selected before sending this command. 		.whatisdvia
.whatiscfix

Explain an altitude crossing restriction and entering it in the FMC.

The aircraft must be selected before sending this command. 		.whatiscfix
.whatispd

Explain a pilot-discretion descent and the assigned altitude limit.

The aircraft must be selected before sending this command. 		.whatispd

Clearance Delivery

Every command in this group requires the aircraft to be selected before sending the command.

Command Syntax Description Command
.trbc

Confirm that the pilot's readback is correct.

 .trbc
.tREFILE

Tell the pilot their flight plan is not on file and ask them to refile.

.tREFILE
.tinvalt
<altitude 1>
<altitude 2>

Advise that the cruise altitude is invalid for the direction of flight and offer two alternatives.

.tinvalt FL330 FL350
.acarspdc

Tell the pilot a PDC was sent and explain how to retrieve it if it was not received.

.acarspdc

General CRAFT

Every command in this group requires the aircraft to be selected before sending the command.

Command Syntax Description Command
.TCRAFTU

Issue a clearance using the filed route and squawk code when departure is offline.

.TCRAFTU
.TCRAFT
<initial altitude>
<TCP>

Issue a clearance with runway heading, expected vectors, initial altitude, departure frequency, and squawk.

Use the controller's position ID exactly as shown in the Controllers list (for example, P1T, S1W, or C01). 		.TCRAFT 5000 S1W
.TCRAFTAF
<initial altitude>
<TCP>

Issue an as-filed clearance with initial altitude, departure frequency, and squawk.

Use the controller's position ID exactly as shown in the Controllers list (for example, P1T, S1W, or C01). 		.TCRAFTAF 5000 S1W
.TNOPDC
[TCP]

Explain that a PDC could not be issued and direct the pilot to you or the specified controller for clearance.

TCP is optional. Leave it out to use your current position automatically, or enter another controller's position ID exactly as shown in the Controllers list.The aircraft must be selected before sending this command.
  • .TNOPDC
  • .TNOPDC P1T

Ground

Every command in this group requires the aircraft to be selected before sending the command.

Command Syntax Description Command
.trtv
<runway>
<taxiway 1>
<taxiway 2>

Issue taxi instructions to the specified runway.

 .trtv 16L A B
.ttpv
<taxiway 1>
<taxiway 2>

Issue taxi instructions to parking.

 .ttpv A B
.ths
<runway or location>

Instruct the pilot to hold short of the specified runway or location.

.ths 16L
.tcross
<runway or location>

Authorize crossing the specified runway or location.

 .tcross 16L
.tpb
<runway or location>

Approve pushback into the alley at pilot's discretion and request a ready-to-taxi call.

.tpb 16L
.tpbo
<location>
<direction>

Approve pushback onto the specified location facing the given direction.

.tpbo A north
.tnoatc
<CTAF frequency>

Advise that no further ATC is available and instruct the pilot to monitor the specified CTAF.

.tnoatc 122.8
.tcurrent
<airport name>
<airport ID>
<ATIS letter>

Announce the current ATIS information and altimeter, and request acknowledgement on next contact.

.tcurrent Seattle KSEA A
.seattleramp

Explain that SEA gates and ramps require pushback/taxi clearance and provide the ramp procedures link.

.seattleramp

Tower

Every command in this group requires the aircraft to be selected before sending the command.

Command Syntax Description Command
.tluaw
<runway>

Instruct the pilot to line up and wait on the specified runway.

.tluaw 16L
.tcl
<runway>

Issue a landing clearance with wind information.

 .tcl 16L
.tct
<runway>

Issue a takeoff clearance with wind information.

 .tct 16L
.tlmalocal

Approve a frequency change when the aircraft leaves your airspace.

.tlmalocal
.tnoatcu

Advise that no further ATC is available and approve a frequency change.

.tnoatcu

Radar-General

Every command in this group requires the aircraft to be selected before sending the command.

Command Syntax Description Command
.tsq

Assign the aircraft's squawk code.

 .tsq
.ti

Ask the pilot to ident.

 .ti
.tsqi

Assign the aircraft's squawk code and ask the pilot to ident.

.tsqi
.trc

Advise the pilot that radar contact is established.

 .trc
.tfh
<heading>

Assign a heading.

 .tfh 270
.ttl
<heading>

Instruct the pilot to turn left to a heading.

 .ttl 270
.ttr
<heading>

Instruct the pilot to turn right to a heading.

 .ttr 270
.trst

Terminate radar service.

 .trst
.tcm
<altitude>

Issue a climb-and-maintain instruction.

 .tcm 10000
.tdm
<altitude>

Issue a descend-and-maintain instruction.

 .tdm 10000
.tspd
<knots>

Assign an airspeed in knots.

 .tspd 210
.tmach
<Mach number>

Assign a Mach number.

 .tmach .78
.tunctrld

Advise that no traffic is observed to the destination, request IFR cancellation, and approve advisory frequency.

.tunctrld
.tuc

Advise that no traffic is observed to the destination, request IFR cancellation, and approve advisory frequency.

.tuc
.tsvfr

Terminate radar service, assign squawk 1200, instruct the pilot to maintain VFR, and approve a frequency change.

.tsvfr

Departure

Every command in this group requires the aircraft to be selected before sending the command.

Command Syntax Description Command
.thfr

Instruct the pilot to hold for release.

 .thfr
.trfd
[TCP]

Release the aircraft for departure with clearance void, contact, and current times.

Uses your own controller position automatically when TCP is omitted. If the departure frequency is not going to be your own, use the controller TCP ID.
  • .trfd
  • .trfd P1N
.TLMASEA

Advise that Seattle Center is closed, terminate radar service, and approve a frequency change.

.TLMASEA
.TLMAzse

Advise that Seattle Center is closed, terminate radar service, and approve a frequency change.

.TLMAzse

Approach

Every command in this group requires the aircraft to be selected before sending the command.

Command Syntax Description Command
.tdva
<landing direction>

Issue a descend-via clearance with arrival, landing direction, and destination altimeter.

.tdva south
.tptac
<fix>
<heading>
<altitude>
<approach type>
<runway>

Issue a position, turn, altitude, and approach clearance.

.tptac FINKA 130 3000 ILS 16R
.tptacils
<fix>
<heading>
<altitude>
<runway>

Issue a position, heading, altitude, and ILS approach clearance.

.tptacils BTG 180 3000 10R
.trfis

Give the airport's relative position and distance, and ask the pilot to report it in sight.

.trfis
.tcva
<runway>

Clear the pilot for a visual approach to the specified runway.

.tcva 16L

En-Route

Every command in this group requires the aircraft to be selected before sending the command.

Command Syntax Description Command
.trcdb
<fix>

Establish radar contact with distance and bearing from a specified fix.

.trcdb BTG
.posdb
<fix>

Privately display the selected aircraft's distance and bearing from a specified fix.

.posdb BTG
.tlma

Terminate radar service and approve a frequency change as the aircraft leaves your airspace.

.tlma
  • .TLMAoak
  • .TLMAzoa

Advise that Oakland Center is closed, terminate radar service, and approve a frequency change southbound.

  • .TLMAoak
  • .TLMAzoa
  • .TLMAslc
  • .TLMAzlc

Advise that Salt Lake City Center is closed, terminate radar service, and approve a frequency change eastbound.

  • .TLMAslc
  • .TLMAzlc
.TLMAZVR

Advise that Vancouver Center is closed, terminate radar service, and approve a frequency change northbound.

.TLMAZVR
.TLMAYVR

Advise that Vancouver Approach is closed, terminate radar service, and approve a frequency change northbound.

.TLMAYVR
.TLMAYYJ

Advise that Victoria Terminal is closed, terminate radar service, and approve a frequency change northbound.

.TLMAYYJ
.TLMAZAK

Advise that San Francisco Radio is closed, terminate radar service, assign squawk 2000, and approve a frequency change westbound.

.TLMAZAK
.TLMAZEG

Advise that Edmonton Center is closed, terminate radar service, and approve a frequency change northbound.

.TLMAZEG