AndyTWF
commented
2 months ago In principle it sounds reasonable! The problem with FSD is that it's a closely guarded secret and I don't think I'm one of the chosen-few!
However, doing this via Hoppie is very possible - as we do with stand assignments, in the manner you suggest.
The only caveat is that without access to FSD, we won't be able to have it preset in EuroScope when a controller connects - they'll have to assume the aircraft via one of the lists, which will then cause the plugin to go the backend and fetch the pre-assigned squawk. At the very least, this'll remove a step: you won't have to tell the aircraft the squawk on frequency, but your ES will still need to do the assignment process.
Maybe outside the scope of this project, but I'm asking anyway, because why not.
vNAS provides U.S. departures at uncontrolled airfields with a squawk code before departure, so that when a controller comes online, everyone is already on a discrete squawk.
Suggest all IFR flights are given the same in the UK.
Even better: API to check if aircraft is on Hoppie, if yes, send squawk allocation by Hoppie. If no confirmation reply within 5 minutes, revert to message via FSD.