Effective Data Communications for NextGen

Beneficial Capabilities Air traffic service (ATS) data communications provide benefits in terms of increased airspace capacity and improved operational efficiency while also enhancing the existing high level of safety. • Increased airspace capacity. In continental/domestic airspace, capacity is primarily increased through basic controller-pilot datalink communications (CPDLC) that reduce controller and flight crew workload as well… Continue reading Effective Data Communications for NextGen

FAA Approves Use of ARINC’s HFDL Network for Air Traffic Control Data Link Communications

Following a recent trial, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has prepared the way for data link Air Traffic Control (ATC) communications over the global High Frequency Data Link (HFDL) network of ARINC Incorporated. The technology is known as FOH, an acronym for “FANS (Future Air Navigation System)1/A over HFDL.” In a January 12 letter,… Continue reading FAA Approves Use of ARINC’s HFDL Network for Air Traffic Control Data Link Communications

Initial Tailored Arrivals – What is this?

We have all heard about Tailored Arrivals. But what are Initial Tailored Arrivals? The following article from the FAA explains it for us.   An Initial Tailored Arrival (ITA) is a pre-negotiated arrival path through airspace of multiple air traffic control (ATC) facilities. The ITA limits vectoring and minimizes the time the aircraft spends maintaining level flight… Continue reading Initial Tailored Arrivals – What is this?

A short (unofficial) history of air/ground digital link – 2

The clash of VDL Mode 4 and VDL Mode 2 Following years of testing and discussions on countless forums, VDL Mode 2 was emerging as the solution that, combined with the ATN protocol, could support the initial implementation of Controller Pilot Digital Link Communications. There was nothing else it could do but it had a… Continue reading A short (unofficial) history of air/ground digital link – 2

A short (unofficial) history of air/ground digital link – 1

Introduction Talking to a group of young controllers the other day I suddenly realized that Controller Pilot Digital Link Communications (CPDLC) and its enabler, air/ground digital link were a kind of given for them… Their centre has either already implemented it or had plans for it and while their opinion diverged on the usefulness of… Continue reading A short (unofficial) history of air/ground digital link – 1