Oceanic and International Operations Data Link

Objectives At the end of this lesson, you will be able to: Define Data Link Explain how the Data Link system works List the different types of Data Link systems Identify the benefits of using a Data Link system

Overview In this lesson we will discuss the following topics: The importance of Data Link Components of a Data Link system Types of Data Link systems Data Link services coverage area Data Link system benefits

Overview Data Link guidance materials Flight Standards Website on Data Link Global Operational Data Link Document (GOLD) Controller Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Contract (ADS-C)

The Importance of Data Link Data Link usage is part of a NextGen and ICAO initiative to: Move from a ground-based to a space-based system. This has a direct impact on CNS requirements and air traffic procedures Provide rapid, efficient communication between the pilot, operator, and Air Traffic Controller (ATC) via direct exchange of digital data messages between computers on the ground and computers onboard the aircraft

Components of a Data Link System

SATCOM Constellations Inmarsat Iridium 7

Gulf of Mexico/WATRS area ARINC Coverage Map Gulf of Mexico/WATRS area

Q&A Can you use ATN in oceanic areas?

Types of Data Link Systems FANS 1/A or equivalent (Future Air Navigation Systems Boeing/Airbus/ Honeywell) Aeronautical Telecommunications Network (ATN) Link 2000+

Data Link Services Coverage Area (2015)

Data Link System Benefits Data Link Systems provide the following benefits: Less reliance on voice Direct communication with controller Direct communication with operator Timely intervention by ATC to reduce errors Reduced separation standards

Q&A: What Data Link function would allow ATC to intervene if they detected a lateral or longitudinal oceanic error?

Data Link Guidance Materials AC 120-70 - Operational Authorization Process For Use of Data Link Communication Systems (as amended) Global Operational Data Link Document (GOLD) (as amended) via ICAO Paris web site

Obsolete Oceanic Operations References The following documents containing data link information for oceanic operations are now obsolete: NAT Data Link Guidance Material FANS Operations Manual (FOM) South Pacific Operations Manual (SPOM)

Data Link Reference Materials ICAO Annex 6 Operation of Aircraft ICAO Annex 10 Volume 3 (ATN) ICAO Doc 4444 PANS ATM ICAO Doc 7030 Regional Supplementary Procedures

Q&A: What would be the ASI’s concern if they received a request for authorization to use Data Link in an oceanic area and the package includes a reference to one or more of the following documents: NAT Data Link Guidance Material FANS Operations Manual (FOM) South Pacific Operations Manual (SPOM)

FLIGHT STANDARDS Website on Data Link Direct link: http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_of fices/avs/offices/afs/afs400/afs470/datacomm/ Via RVSM website: http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_of fices/ato/service_units/enroute/rvsm/ Select Oceanic and Offshore areas Select Data Link

Controller Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) CPDLC is a data link application that allows the direct exchange of text-based messages between a controller and a pilot (ICAO definition) CPDLC greatly improves communication capabilities in oceanic areas, especially in situations where controllers and pilots have previously had to rely on a third-party, high-frequency voice radio communications relay CPDLC adds a number of other benefits to the air traffic services system

Controller Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) Benefits CPDLC allows pilots and controllers to transmit digital data messages directly between computers on the ground and computers onboard the aircraft Alleviates frequency congestion problems and allows the controller to handle more traffic

Controller Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) Benefits Reduction of flight crew input errors If the crew requests modification to the route, they can send a request to ATC through CPDLC Data link technology also reduces pilot/controller workload by allowing the flight management system to automatically downlink a report, such as a waypoint crossing

Controller Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) Benefits Allows the flight crew to print messages Allows the autoload of specific uplink messages into the flight management system. This reduces manual input (i.e., flight crew input) errors Achieves significant reduction in response time and improves weather deviation request response time Rapid ATC intervention capability Oceanic errors

Controller Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) Benefits Automatic Downlink: Specific uplink messages can arm the FMS to automatically downlink a report when an event, such as crossing a waypoint, occurs. This automation reduces the workload for both the flight crew and the controller. Automatic Updates: Specific downlink messages and the response to some uplink messages will automatically update the flight data record in some ground systems.

Q&A: What is ADS-C?

Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Contract (ADS-C) The ADS-C application is an air traffic service application in which aircraft automatically transmit, via data link, information derived from onboard navigation systems The information includes a three-dimensional position (latitude, longitude, altitude), the corresponding time of that position, and a Figure of Merit (FOM) that characterizes the accuracy of the position

Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Contract (ADS-C) Automatic dependent surveillance (ADS-C) uses systems aboard the aircraft to provide aircraft position, velocity, intent, and meteorological data This data can be transmitted to the Air Traffic Service (ATS) provider system for estimating and predicting aircraft position ADS-C reports are generated in response to contract requests, issued by the ATS provider system The contract identifies the type of information and the conditions under which reports are to be transmitted from the aircraft

Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Contract (ADS-C) ADS-C Reports Three types of ADS-C reporting, called “contracts,” have been defined: Periodic contract Event contract Demand contract

Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Contract (ADS-C) An ATS Provider may apply multiple simultaneous contracts to a single aircraft, including: one periodic contract one event contract (may contain multiple types) any number of demand contracts Up to four separate ATS providers may initiate ADS-C contracts simultaneously with any single aircraft

Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Contract (ADS-C) Typical Periodic Report BAS: ERF: Pos = 352450N0592917W Track = 45.5 degree Alt = 39000 ft GS = 539.0 knots Time = 00:00:21 VR = 16 ft/min Multiple NAV units ARF: Accuracy < 0.25 NM\ Heading = 44.2 degree TCAS is ON Speed = 0.84 mach PRR: Pos = 420000N0500000W MET: Wind dir = 237 degree ETA = 01:07:36 UTC Wind spd = 58.5 knots Pos = 460000N0400000W Temp = -57.5 C

Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Contract (ADS-C) Typical Waypoint Report WPC: Pos = 385912N0595947W Alt = 33004 ft Time = 00:00:34 Multiple NAV units Accuracy < 0.25 NM TCAS is ON PRR: Pos = 395900N0495955W Alt = 32996 ft ETA = 00:59:29 UTC Pos = 395900N0400005W

Q&A: What is different between the typical periodic report and the typical waypoint report?

Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Contract (ADS-C) ADS-C has been used in the Nadi, Tahiti, Auckland, Brisbane, and Melbourne oceanic FIRs, to name a few, since 2000 ADS-C is part of the FAA’s Advanced Technologies and Oceanic Procedures (ATOP) operational capability

Q&A: Where is ADS-C used in the Atlantic?

Application Process First consult with a Regional NextGen SAO Specialist Order 8900.1, Volume 3: General Technical Administration, Chapter 18, Section 3 OpSpec A056 Data Link Communications (LOA) OpSpec A056 Data Link Communications (121) NextGen Tracking Tool

Application Review Applicable TCs/STCs Requested Geographic Area(s) Training for Pilots and Operational Control Personnel MX Programs Manuals, Ops Procedures NOTAMS MELs and other related issues

Data Link Approval Checklist This checklist should be reviewed by the operator and the FSDO/CMO when there is a request for CPDLC and ADS-C authorization ASIs must consult the Regional NextGen Oceanic Specialist for the currency of this checklist Go to http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/ headquarters_offices/avs/offices/afs/afs400/ afs470/datacomm/ to view the checklist

Data Link Technical Documents for Global Standards Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA) RTCA DO-306 - Safety and Performance Standard for Air Traffic Data Link Services in Oceanic and Remote Airspace Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA) RTCA DO-240 - Minimum Operational Performance Standards for Aeronautical Telecommunication Network (ATN) Avionics

Q&A: Can ATN be used in the oceanic environment?

Data Link Oceanic Errors Oceanic Errors Safety Bulletin (OESB) (as amended) (Web site, PDF Document) Monitoring and Resolving Data Link Problems NAT- Data Link Monitoring Agency (DLMA) South Pacific-FANS Interoperability Team (FIT) Gulfstream Internal Form

Q&A: Why have a Gulfstream Internal Form?

Review In this lesson we discussed the following topics: The importance of Data Link Components of a Data Link system Types of Data Link systems Data Link services coverage area Data Link system benefits

Review Data Link Guidance Materials Data Link guidance materials Air Traffic Organization (ATO) website on Data Link Global Operational Data Link Document (GOLD) Controller Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Contract (ADS-C)

Objectives You should now be able to: Define Data Link Explain how the Data Link system works List the different types of Data Link systems Identify the benefits of using a Data Link system