We are proud to be the only non-human ATC network in the entire world that has full support for CPDLC!!

Four ways to use CPDLC with SayIntentions.AI:

Before you can use any of these, you will need to grab your SayIntentions.AI ACARS Key (available on the main account page of your Pilot Portal). You'll want to copy/paste this into the settings of whichever solution you pick.

Option A: [Recommended due to simplicity] You can use "Flight Sim Messenger" (FSM), which is a stand-alone, web based ACARS app, providing full PDC & CPDLC functionality, and works with SayIntentions.AI as well as VATSIM. (You can even run it on your tablet!!). This is an ultra easy to use app that works perfectly with the SayIntentions.AI ACARS network.  Read more about it here.  Watch a video of how to use it here.

Option B:  You can use an aircraft that has a functioning ACARS / CPDLC system, which has been fully integrated into SayIntentions.AI. Aircraft that directly support SayIntentions.AI CPDLC include the Fenix A320 and the Leonardo Maddog MD-80.

Option C: You can use one of the other, many third-party add-ons that act as stand-alone ACARS clients.

Option D: You can use Dave Black's "ACARS Bridge", which allows you to connect ANY aircraft with a functioning CPDLC to the SayIntentions.AI ACARS network. This involves running a special "Bridge" application on your PC which transposes traffic from the HOPPIE network to the SayIntentions.AI Network.  Get it here.

Note that if your favorite airplane does not have SayIntentions.AI CPDLC support, we encourage you to reach out to the airplane maker and ask them to add support. We've gone to extreme lengths to make the integration as simple as possible, and in MOST cases, it's a task they can complete in just a few minutes. Feel free to send them this link.

Things you need to know

• You can obtain your Pre-Departure Clearance using CPDLC without being logged on.  However, just like an IFR clearance picked up over voice, you must have your Simbrief username entered into your SayIntentions.AI app settings in order for this to work. (And of course, you need to have your IFR flight plan on file with Simbrief).

• Before you can use other aspects of CPDLC, you must LOGON.  (And when you are done, you should LOGOFF).

• The use of CPDLC does not negate the need to use your radio. You must stay in contact with ATC your entire flight using the radio, just like always.

• ATC will never use CPDLC for time-sensitive messages. If they have an instruction for you that is urgent, they will use voice.

• ATC will not use CPDLC pro-actively until you are above 14,500 ft (ICAO), or 18,000ft (U.S.).   Once you are logged in, and above those altitudes, all non-urgent comms from ATC will default to CPDLC.

• If you are above those flight levels, and you have a non-urgent request for ATC (climb, descent, etc.), you can send it using CPDLC.

• Above those flight levels, you can also use free-form text messages to ask questions, etc.

• As the flight progresses from one ARTCC facility or from one ARTCC sector to another, a CONTACT CPDLC message is uplinked to the aircraft providing the next ARTCC frequency. Respond “ROGER/ACCEPT” to the CPDLC message, set the new ATC frequency, then use standard voice procedures to establish contact with the new controller.

• If you logoff the CPDLC system, ATC will revert to voice for all comms.

• If you are logged into CPDLC, you can still use voice to communicate with ATC, just like always.

• Once you start your descent, you will automatically be logged off the CPDLC system

• Just like voice comms, all CPDLC comms must remain family-friendly, and ATC related. (We actively terminate accounts that violate this rule).

If you want a general tutorial on how to use ACARS / CPDLC in general

check out this video by our own, wakevortex:

https://youtu.be/ePDCSW0zVjM

SI ACARS Network Basic Rules
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3hQE6faROY