¶ Coordination Policy
This policy establishes the coordination arrangements applicable to controllers operating within the French vACC.
Its purpose is to ensure that controllers remain reachable and that operational information can be exchanged promptly and consistently.
Two complementary platforms are used:
- VACS provides direct operational voice coordination between positions, sectors, and units. Every controller is required to remain connected to VACS, regardless of the position being operated.
- Discord is used for position handovers and for operational coordination between the positions specifically identified in this policy.
¶ Terminology
The following terms indicate the level of obligation:
- MUST and MUST NOT indicate a mandatory requirement.
- SHOULD and SHOULD NOT indicate the expected practice. A different course of action may be taken when justified by operational or technical circumstances.
- MAY indicates an optional practice.
¶ General Requirements
All controllers, regardless of the position being operated, MUST:
- remain connected and reachable through VACS until the position is closed.
Controllers MUST use the coordination method assigned by this policy:
- Discord when this policy specifically requires the positions concerned to coordinate through the same voice channel; and
- VACS in all other cases.
The fact that coordination is conducted through Discord does NOT remove the requirement to remain connected and reachable through VACS.
¶ Discord Presence
A controller MUST be present in the appropriate Discord voice channel whenever another active position with which this policy requires Discord coordination is online.
If such a position is already active, the controller MUST join the appropriate voice channel before opening their position.
If such a position becomes active during the controller’s session, the controller MUST join the appropriate voice channel as soon as they become aware of it and no later than five minutes afterwards.
A controller who is not required to coordinate with any other active position through Discord MAY:
- remain outside the French vACC Discord voice channels; or
- join any suitable voice channel of their choice.
Presence on another Discord server, in a private channel, or in a voice channel other than the assigned coordination channel does NOT fulfil a mandatory Discord presence requirement.
¶ Position Handovers
Every position handover MUST be conducted exclusively through Discord.
The outgoing and incoming controllers MUST join an appropriate French vACC Discord voice channel for the duration of the handover, even if neither controller would otherwise be required to remain present on Discord.
The incoming controller MAY leave Discord after the handover if:
- they are not required to coordinate with another active position through Discord; and
- no event, CPT, training, or session briefing requires continued Discord presence.
The temporary coordination arrangements described in this policy do NOT apply to position handovers.
¶ Coordination at Aerodromes Other Than Paris–Charles de Gaulle
¶ Tower Positions
Tower positions at the same aerodrome MUST coordinate with one another through the appropriate Discord voice channel.
For this purpose, tower positions include DEL, GND, TWR, and any other position designated as belonging to the aerodrome’s tower environment.
When at least two such positions are active, all controllers concerned MUST be present in and monitor the appropriate Discord voice channel.
Coordination between a tower position and a position outside the same tower environment MUST be conducted through VACS.
¶ Radar Positions
Radar positions serving the same aerodrome or Approach unit MUST coordinate with one another through the appropriate Discord voice channel.
When at least two such positions are active, all controllers concerned MUST be present in and monitor the appropriate Discord voice channel.
Coordination with a radar position serving another aerodrome or belonging to another unit MUST be conducted through VACS.
¶ Coordination at Paris–Charles de Gaulle
¶ DEL and RMP Positions
CDG DEL and RMP positions MUST be assigned to the same dedicated Discord voice channel and MUST coordinate with one another through that channel.
¶ GND and TWR Positions
CDG GND and TWR positions MUST be assigned to a separate dedicated Discord voice channel and MUST coordinate with one another through that channel.
¶ Coordination Between the Two Tower Channels
Coordination between a position assigned to the DEL/RMP channel and a position assigned to the GND/TWR channel MUST be conducted through VACS.
¶ Radar Positions
CDG radar positions MUST coordinate with one another through VACS, except for coordination between INI and ITM positions.
All active INI and ITM positions MUST:
- join the same dedicated Discord voice channel; and
- coordinate with one another through that channel.
Coordination between an INI or ITM position and any other radar position MUST be conducted through VACS.
¶ Temporary Coordination Arrangements
When the operational situation is suitable, all controllers concerned MAY agree to use Discord or VACS instead of the coordination method normally required by this policy.
Such an arrangement MUST:
- be agreed to by every controller concerned before it is applied;
- remain temporary and exceptional;
- identify which positions and coordination exchanges it covers; and
- end as soon as any controller concerned withdraws their agreement or the operational situation no longer supports it.
A temporary coordination arrangement does NOT remove any requirement to:
- remain connected and reachable through VACS;
- remain present in an assigned Discord channel when Discord presence is otherwise required; or
- conduct position handovers exclusively through Discord.
¶ Use of VACS
Controllers MUST ensure that:
- incoming calls can be heard;
- they remain able to answer or return an operational call; and
- they do not intentionally make themselves unavailable while providing ATC service.
An incoming call MUST be answered as soon as operational workload permits. If an immediate response would interfere with the safe provision of ATC service, the controller MUST return the call once able to do so.
Discord coordination does NOT replace the requirement for every controller to remain connected and reachable through VACS.
¶ Use of Discord
Controllers required to coordinate through Discord MUST:
- join the voice channel assigned to their position;
- monitor that channel;
- remain able to hear operational coordination; and
- respond when coordination is addressed to them.
Informal or non-operational conversation MAY take place in ATC voice channels, provided that it does not:
- interfere with the provision of ATC service;
- prevent operational coordination from being heard or understood; or
- disturb controllers who are using the channel for operational purposes.
¶ Coordination Between Separate Units
Unless this policy specifically requires the positions concerned to coordinate through Discord, operational coordination between separate units or sectors—including TWR/APP, APP/CTR, CTR/CTR, and coordination with neighbouring vACCs—MUST be conducted through VACS.
Automated coordination functions SHOULD continue to be used where appropriate. Their use does not remove the requirement for verbal coordination when an operational matter cannot be handled through automated coordination alone.
¶ Events, CPTs and Organised Sessions
The general provisions of this policy apply during events, CPTs, training sessions, and other organised activities.
Controllers MUST join any Discord channel assigned to them for the activity and MUST follow any additional coordination instructions included in the applicable briefing.
Coordination instructions issued specifically for an event, CPT, training session, or other organised activity take precedence over this policy where the two differ.
¶ Technical Issues
If a technical issue prevents the use of Discord or VACS, the controller MUST:
- inform the affected controllers or a member of French vACC staff as soon as communication can be established;
- use another available means of coordination; and
- restore the standard coordination arrangements once the issue has been resolved.
If VACS is unavailable, the affected controllers MAY use Discord temporarily.
If Discord is unavailable, the affected controllers MAY use VACS temporarily.
These technical fallbacks do not require prior agreement between the affected controllers.
¶ Compliance
Controllers MUST comply with the coordination arrangements established by this policy and with any specific instructions applicable to their session.
If a controller is not following the required arrangements, they MAY be reminded of the applicable requirements and asked to restore them immediately.
Repeated non-compliance or a deliberate refusal to follow the established coordination arrangements MAY result in intervention by French vACC staff and, where appropriate, further action.