1. DATA LINK IMPLEMENTATION IN EUROPE
Presented by Geoffrey Bailey Head of Communications Unit EUROCONTROL

2. The European Environment

3. Frequency Congestion

4. Impact on Capacity

5. Benefits of Data Link

6. Strategic Need
To make more efficient use of communications
To enable air traffic capacity to be increased

7. The Problem The Solution
Controller workload is a bottleneck
At least 1/3 of controller workload is radio.
Voice channel congestion leads to less than optimal service.
The Solution
supplying a second communication channel for routine/strategic ATC messages
to reduce the controller’s communication workload
In many en-route sectors across Europe, controller workload is the bottleneck for sector capacity. About one third of a controller’s workload is radio telephony. In some sectors it is more than that. As a consequence controllers cannot organise their work as they would wish; they just have to follow the endless stream of messages that are thrown at them. Also pilots cannot make the requests they want to make when they want to make them. The result is a less then optimal service.
Supplying a second communication channel, that is less labour intensive, less intrusive and that is inherently less prone to errors and misunderstandings seems an obvious solution. It will allow controllers more time to think, to anticipate, to better organise their work, to control traffic flows. It offers a more silent working environment to both pilots and controllers, an environment in which messages are standard, not garbled and can be consulted later in case of doubt.

8. LINK Programme

9. to reduce controller workload… with a safety benefit
Objective of LINK 2000+
Co-ordinate the implementation of
selected air ground data link services for ATC,
at a number of ACCs/airports,
with benefit driven equipage by airlines,
based on ATN and VDL Mode 2
from 2000 to 2007
to reduce controller workload… with a safety benefit
* IATA is currently developing a policy for mandatory equipage under certain conditions

10. Supplementing voice for routine/strategic messages
Functional Scope
DLIC Establish the application communication
ACM Transfer flights between sectors/centres
ACL Request/give ATC clearances
AMC Microphone stuck?
CAP Show flight instruments to controller
FLIPCY Compare FMS and FDP flight plans
DCL Request/give departure clearances
DSC Request/give oceanic/STAR clearances
D-ATIS Request/give terminal information
Supplementing voice for routine/strategic messages

11. Geographical Scope
This was our target geographical scope. It is the area composed of the airspace of the air traffic service providers that participated in drafting the Master Plan for LINK

12. Intent to Participate
And this is the geographical scope based on the letters of intent we have received. These are the ATS Providers who want to participate in the programme, I.e who want to provide a data link ATS service.

13. System Scope Airlines: Avionics Modifications HMI, CMU, radios (FMS)
ATSPs: ATC System Modifications
HMI, FDPS
CSP: Communications Infrastructure
routers, transmitters/receivers
RTCA/EUROCAE specifications
It is important that it is understood that the bulk of the work is conducted by the stakeholders. Modifying avionics and HMI to support data link operations is the task for the airlines. Modifying ATC systems to support data link operations is the task of the ATS Providers. The communication infrastructure will be deployed by communication service providers.
All his work will be done in accordance with the RTCA/EUROCAE specifications for ATS data link.
Each of these stakeholders will secure their own funding for the task to be accomplished.

14. What will the Agency do?
provide a forum for technical and operational discussions,
agree implementation scenarios,
track and communicate progress,
initiate changes to ICAO regulation
co-ordinate,
facilitate,
support.
The role of EUROCONTROL is one of co-ordination.
It is obvious that interoperability needs to be ensured at all levels, not only between aircraft, communication systems and and ATC systems, but also between the implementations on both sides of the Atlantic.
EUROCONTROL will do everything possible to facilitate and support the work of the stakeholders and to make sure that the result is an interoperable system, implemented according to the overall plan.

15. Implementation Schedule
COM Infrastructure
VDL-Mode 2 (ATN)
First Airports
First ACC’s
LINK Area
Services
Pioneers
Forward-Fit
Retrofit
ATN Avionics

16. Implementation Planning
Decision
Get common
understanding and
commitment through
-Master Plan
-Business Case
Implementation
So far the efforts have been concentrated on producing a Master Plan that contains all necessary information to support a stakeholder’s decision to participate in the Programme. In November 2000 EUROCONTROL’s Provisional Council will be asked to approve the programme. If this is done, our first task will be to obtain statements of commitment from the different stakeholders and to start the detailed planning of the implementation.
April 1999
November 2000
2007

17. Business Case (Strategic)
Higher safety levels
Extra capacity
Essential for more ATC automation
Global communication
“Data link is essential, it’s inevitable and it’s coming” (AA)

18. Business Case (CBA) Airline lead initiative Using Boeing facilities
Allows variation of input
Data sources:
ACC costs: ATSP
aircraft upgrade: Airbus & Boeing
operating costs: CSP
benefits: simulations % capacity with 25% equipage

19. “Data link is an essential step to future concepts”
Business Case (CBA)
The CBA shows a heavy investment in the early years, with a break even point in Over 20 years the investment is rewarding with an internal rate of return of 44 % and a benefit/cost ratio of 4.7 These results are obtained by combining the AOC and ATC services.
“Data link is an essential step to future concepts”

20. CONCLUDING REMARKS

21. Effective VHF spectrum use is a critical factor in the provision of air traffic capacity
However, frequency assignment is already a major problem
There is a need to use the spectrum more efficiently
The use of data link offers the potential for better spectrum utilisation

22. Allowing controllers to focus on air traffic control could significantly increase capacity
This would lead to improved safety and reduced delays

23. Thank you