PETAL-II EATMP PETAL-II Ops Results Slide 1 ATN th Sep 2001 ATN th September 2001 PETAL-II Operational Results The Controller and Aircrew Viewpoint Martin McHUGH EUROCONTROL, DIS/ATD

PETAL-II EATMP PETAL-II Ops Results Slide 2 ATN th Sep 2001 Activity: CPDLC Flights May 1998 – August 2001

PETAL-II EATMP PETAL-II Ops Results Slide 3 ATN th Sep 2001 TOTAL CPDLC Flights ATN: 3 FANS-1/A: 6690 NEAN: 1762 TOTAL: 8455 Represents less than 1% of Maastricht Movements Activity: CPDLC Flights May 1998 – August 2001

PETAL-II EATMP PETAL-II Ops Results Slide 4 ATN th Sep FLIGHT CREWS NEAN 4158 FLIGHT CREWS FANS1/A CONTROLLERS No. of Interviews Conducted No. of Questionnaires Completed Feedback: To 31st August 2001

PETAL-II EATMP PETAL-II Ops Results Slide 5 ATN th Sep 2001 Feedback: To 31st August 2001 Questionnaires u Pertinent to users last experience of Datalink only, u System failures or sluggish dialogues usually result in Not Useful response. u May consider datalink as Useful one day, Not Useful the next. Interviews u Record users overall experience with datalink. u Many Not Useful responses are qualified; eg. With the current HMI, With the limited number of aircraft participating etc.

PETAL-II EATMP PETAL-II Ops Results Slide 6 ATN th Sep 2001 FLIGHT CREWS NEAN FLIGHT CREWS FANS1/A 43 (77%) CONTROLLERS Datalink Useful Datalink Not Useful No ImpactMore Experience 7 (13%)3 (5%) 90*(61%) 36*(86%) 15*(10%)19*(13%)23*(16%) 1*(2%) 3*(7%) 2*(5%) Feedback: To 31st August 2001 Information extracted from Interviews only * Information extracted mainly from Questionnaires

PETAL-II EATMP PETAL-II Ops Results Slide 7 ATN th Sep 2001 Controller Response: Value of Messages Transfer of Voice Comms Flight Level Clearance Flight Level Request Route Clearance Route Request Heading Clearance Vertical Rate Clearance Speed Clearance Time Clearance ATC Mic Check SSR Clearance

PETAL-II EATMP PETAL-II Ops Results Slide 8 ATN th Sep 2001 Transfer of Voice Comms Flight Level Clearance Flight Level Request Route Clearance Route Request Heading Clearance Vertical Rate Clearance Speed Clearance Time Clearance ATC Mic Check SSR Clearance Aircrew Response: Value of Messages

PETAL-II EATMP PETAL-II Ops Results Slide 9 ATN th Sep 2001 Transfer of Voice Comms Flight Level Clearance Flight Level Request Route Clearance Route Request Heading Clearance Vertical Rate Clearance Speed Clearance Time Clearance ATC Mic Check SSR Clearance Response: Value of Messages - Comparison

PETAL-II EATMP PETAL-II Ops Results Slide 10 ATN th Sep 2001 Transfer of Voice Comms [uM117] Flight Level Clearance [uM19, 20 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 148] Flight Level Request [dM6, 9, 10] Route Clearance [uM64, 74, 82] Route Request [dM22, 27] Heading Clearance [uM94, 96, 190, 215] SSR Clearance [uM123, 179] ATC Mic Check [uM157] Speed Clearance [uM55, 106, 107, 108, 109, 116, 222] Vertical Rate Clearance [uM171, 172, 173, 174] Time Clearance [uM51, 52, 53, 54] Feedback: Actual usage of Messages to 31 Aug 01

PETAL-II EATMP PETAL-II Ops Results Slide 11 ATN th Sep 2001 Transfer of Voice Comms [uM117] Flight Level Clearance [uM19, 20 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 148] Flight Level Request [dM6, 9, 10] Route Clearance [uM64, 74, 82] Route Request [dM22, 27] Heading Clearance [uM94, 96, 190, 215] SSR Clearance [uM123, 179] ATC Mic Check [uM157] Speed Clearance [uM55, 106, 107, 108, 109, 116, 222] Vertical Rate Clearance [uM171, 172, 173, 174] Time Clearance [uM51, 52, 53, 54] Feedback: Comparison – Actual usage / Value Uplink/Downlink Used Message Useful - Aircrew Message Useful - Controllers

PETAL-II EATMP PETAL-II Ops Results Slide 12 ATN th Sep 2001 Transfer of Voice Comms [uM117] Flight Level Clearance [uM19, 20 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 148] Route Clearance [uM64, 74, 82] Heading Clearance [uM94, 96, 190, 215] SSR Clearance [uM123, 179] ATC Mic Check [uM157] Speed Clearance [uM55, 106, 107, 108, 109, 116, 222] Vertical Rate Clearance [uM171, 172, 173, 174] Time Clearance [uM51, 52, 53, 54] Feedback: Usage – Comparison with Oceanic NOTE: Oceanic usage accumulated over an 18 month period

PETAL-II EATMP PETAL-II Ops Results Slide 13 ATN th Sep 2001 Positive Aspects u Datalink messages reduce instances of callsign confusion and incorrect readbacks / need to repeat messages (eg. 8.33MHz frequency spacing) u Ability to delegate / task share routine tasks (transfers, SSR code allocations, route clearances) to Co-ordinator / Assistant. u Datalink communication has potential for task automation (eg. Automatic uplinking of new SSR codes). u Provides an alternate / additional means of air/ground communication. Controller Response: Opinion Overall

PETAL-II EATMP PETAL-II Ops Results Slide 14 ATN th Sep 2001 Negative Aspects u System reliability needs to be improved. Error message received after uplinked clearance. Message time-outs. No response from the flight deck. Controller Response: Opinion Overall 5% or Less Controllers Perception of Approximate Datalink Failure Rate 10%20%30%50% 5 (12%)10 (24%) 16 (38%) 1 (2%) Information extracted from Interviews only

PETAL-II EATMP PETAL-II Ops Results Slide 15 ATN th Sep 2001 Negative Aspects u System reliability needs to be improved. u Speed of datalink dialogues. Failed Dialogues (No receipt or response) Flight crew inexperience However, dialogues are completed quickly enough for non time-critical clearances (Transfers, SSR etc) Controller Response: Opinion Overall Quick Enough Speed of Datalink Dialogues 112 (62%)60 (33%)10 (5%) NOT Quick Enough Not Sure Information extracted from Questionnaires and Interviews

PETAL-II EATMP PETAL-II Ops Results Slide 16 ATN th Sep 2001 Negative Aspects u System reliability needs to be improved. u Speed of datalink dialogues. u Datalink inputs are cumbersome, not instinctive and take too long – Current HMI. For example, ………… Controller Response: Opinion Overall

PETAL-II EATMP PETAL-II Ops Results Slide 17 ATN th Sep 2001 Synthetic Dynamic Display Executive Control Message Touch Input Device Flight Data Message Controller Response: Datalink Inputs

PETAL-II EATMP PETAL-II Ops Results Slide 18 ATN th Sep SQUAWK IDENT 4 TID Inputs Controller Response: Datalink Inputs

PETAL-II EATMP PETAL-II Ops Results Slide 19 ATN th Sep CROSS [position] BETWEEN [time] AND [time] 15 TID Inputs Controller Response: Datalink Inputs

PETAL-II EATMP PETAL-II Ops Results Slide 20 ATN th Sep 2001 Enhanced Controller HMI for CPDLC Mouse Driven Selectable Menus On-Screen Message Boxes Controller Response: Datalink Inputs Controllers attention is not drawn away from the radar display

PETAL-II EATMP PETAL-II Ops Results Slide 21 ATN th Sep 2001 Negative Aspects u Using datalink increases controller workload. Current HMI too complex - 34 (20%) Of 69 controllers specifically questioned, 56 (81%) considered that using datalink either decreased or had no impact on the workload of other sector team members Controller Response: Opinion Overall Executive Controller Controllers Workload 110 (64%) 6 (4%) 55 (32%) Co-ordinator / Assistant Increased Decreased No Impact 37 (39%)5 (5%)54 (56%) Information extracted from Questionnaires and Interviews

PETAL-II EATMP PETAL-II Ops Results Slide 22 ATN th Sep 2001 Negative Aspects u System reliability needs to be improved. u Speed of datalink dialogues. u Datalink inputs are cumbersome, not instinctive and take too long – Current HMI. u Using datalink increases controller workload. u Lack of familiarity with equipment and procedures. (Less than 1% of traffic currently handled by Maastricht UAC is datalink capable) Controller Response: Opinion Overall

PETAL-II EATMP PETAL-II Ops Results Slide 23 ATN th Sep 2001 Positive Aspects u The precise nature of datalink reduces the likelihood of misunderstandings (eg regional dialects). u Widespread acceptance (and crew experience) of CPDLC as an air/ground communications medium. u Safety benefits apparent (eg B777 HMI). Aircrew Response: Opinion Overall

PETAL-II EATMP PETAL-II Ops Results Slide 24 ATN th Sep 2001 Uplink Clearance Accepted (Wilco Downlinked) Corresponding uplinked value input into appropriate end system Aircrew Response: B777 HMI – Safety Benefits

PETAL-II EATMP PETAL-II Ops Results Slide 25 ATN th Sep 2001 Negative Aspects u The requirement for R/T confirmation of some* datalink clearances offsets some benefits. * (the requirement for R/T confirmation of Transfer and SSR clearances was removed from 9 th August 2001) Aircrew Response: Opinion Overall

PETAL-II EATMP PETAL-II Ops Results Slide 26 ATN th Sep 2001 Negative Aspects u The requirement for R/T confirmation of some* datalink clearances offsets some benefits. u NEAN Equipped Aircraft – An aural alert for incoming datalink messages required. Aircrew Response: Opinion Overall

PETAL-II EATMP PETAL-II Ops Results Slide 27 ATN th Sep 2001 MMI5000 Datalink Message Received Aircrew Response: NEAN HMI – Message Alert

PETAL-II EATMP PETAL-II Ops Results Slide 28 ATN th Sep 2001 Negative Aspects u The requirement for R/T confirmation of some* datalink clearances offsets some benefits. u NEAN Equipped Aircraft – An aural alert for incoming datalink messages required. u NEAN Equipped Aircraft – An additional HMI, or re- positioning of existing HMI, necessary. Aircrew Response: Opinion Overall

PETAL-II EATMP PETAL-II Ops Results Slide 29 ATN th Sep 2001 DC-9 Flight Deck MMI5000 NEAN Aircrew Response: NEAN – Position of HMI

PETAL-II EATMP PETAL-II Ops Results Slide 30 ATN th Sep 2001 B Flight Deck NEAN Aircrew Response: NEAN – Position of HMI MMI5000

PETAL-II EATMP PETAL-II Ops Results Slide 31 ATN th Sep 2001 A330/340 Flight Deck 2119Z FROM EDYY CTL CLB TO & MAINT FL310 OPEN *UNABLE <OTHER STBY* WILCO* ATC COMM FANS-A Aircrew Response: FANS-A – Position of HMI

PETAL-II EATMP PETAL-II Ops Results Slide 32 ATN th Sep 2001 Negative Aspects u The requirement for R/T confirmation of some* datalink clearances offsets some benefits. u NEAN Equipped Aircraft – An aural alert for incoming datalink messages required. u NEAN Equipped Aircraft – An additional HMI, or re- positioning of existing HMI, necessary. u FANS Equipped Aircraft – Tone of aural alerting for incoming messages is too similar to other alerts (cabin call, SELCAL). Aircrew Response: Opinion Overall

PETAL-II EATMP PETAL-II Ops Results Slide 33 ATN th Sep 2001 User Response: Summary Controller Response Positive Aspects 1. Reduces callsign confusion and incorrect readbacks / need to repeat messages. 2. Ability to delegate / task share routine tasks. 3. Potential for task automation. 4. Provides an alternate / additional means of a/g comms. Controller Response Negative Aspects 1. System reliability needs to be improved. 2. Speed of datalink dialogues. 3. Datalink inputs too cumbersome. 4. Increase in controller workload. 5. Lack of familiarity with equipment and procedures.

PETAL-II EATMP PETAL-II Ops Results Slide 34 ATN th Sep 2001 User Response: Summary Aircrew Response Positive Aspects 1. Reduces likelihood of misunderstandings. 2. Many crews experienced in using CPDLC for a/g comms. 3. Safety benefits apparent (eg B777 HMI). Aircrew Response Negative Aspects 1. Requirement for R/T confirmation offsets some benefits. 2. Aural alert for incoming datalink messages required (NEAN). 3. Additional or re-positioned HMI necessary (NEAN). 4. More distinct tone for aural alert necessary (FANS).

PETAL-II EATMP PETAL-II Ops Results Slide 35 ATN th Sep 2001 Issues Arising: Concatenated Messages u Observation: Although the majority of controllers and flight crews consider that the ability to combine datalink messages to be useful, a number of important issues have been identified: Combinations leading to ambiguous or potentially conflicting clearances should be ruled out. Combinations leading to conditional clearances (e.g. at [position] climb to [level]) should be avoided. Airborne HMI designs should ensure that all parts of the clearance are apparent to the aircrew.

PETAL-II EATMP PETAL-II Ops Results Slide 36 ATN th Sep 2001 Issues Arising: Concatenated Messages 0955Z NEW CAN YOU ACCEPT FL35.. > ATC LOG 1 / Reading a new uplink clearance on the ATC Log page, the pilot is presented with a truncated message. This could result in an instruction …………

PETAL-II EATMP PETAL-II Ops Results Slide 37 ATN th Sep 2001 Issues Arising: Concatenated Messages ………… being initiated before the controller intended. STATUS OPEN 0955z ATC UPLINK 1 / 1 / CAN YOU ACCEPT FL350 AT 10N57 <STANDBY

PETAL-II EATMP PETAL-II Ops Results Slide 38 ATN th Sep 2001 Issues Arising: Concatenated Messages u Recommendations (for implementation): 1)Combining messages is a useful operational facility, and should be provided. 2) Methods of satisfying the issues identified should be included. 3) This subject should continue to be monitored until such time that the question of message concatenation is finally resolved.

PETAL-II EATMP PETAL-II Ops Results Slide 39 ATN th Sep 2001 Issues Arising: uM72: Resume Own Navigation" u Problem: 1) Flight crews view this message as incomplete as there is no supplementary..to [position] element on which to base the instruction. u Short Term Fix: 1) Use uM74: Proceed Direct to [position] in place of uM72. 2) uM72 removed from Maastricht operational message set.

PETAL-II EATMP PETAL-II Ops Results Slide 40 ATN th Sep 2001 Issues Arising: uM157 – Check Stuck Mic [freq] u Problem: uM157 is sent to ALL aircraft in CPDLC contact with the Centre concerned – Instruction can be misinterpreted by crews and controllers operating on other frequencies. Eg: Some pilots have interpreted this as an instruction to contact the controller on the stated frequency.

PETAL-II EATMP PETAL-II Ops Results Slide 41 ATN th Sep 2001 u Short term Fix: 1) Flight crew and controller training and awareness. 2) uM157 to be broadcast ONLY to those aircraft under the control of the triggering sector. u Longer Term: 1) Review message phraseology. 2) Review ground system fix to filter the broadcast uplink based on the frequency used. Issues Arising: uM157 – Check Stuck Mic [freq]

PETAL-II EATMP PETAL-II Ops Results Slide 42 ATN th Sep 2001 Any Questions? Martin McHUGH Danny DAEMS MAASTRICHT UAC Andy FRY AMERICAN AIRLINES Frank CHESHIRE AMERICAN AIRLINES