1. Oceanic and International Operations
Data Link

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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)

5. 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

6. Components of a Data Link System

7. SATCOM Constellations
Inmarsat
Iridium 7

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

9. Q&A
Can you use ATN in oceanic areas?

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

11. Data Link Services Coverage Area
(2015)

12. 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

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

14. Data Link Guidance Materials
AC 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

15. 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)

16. 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

17. 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)

18. FLIGHT STANDARDS Website on Data Link
Direct link: fices/avs/offices/afs/afs400/afs470/datacomm/
Via RVSM website: fices/ato/service_units/enroute/rvsm/
Select Oceanic and Offshore areas
Select Data Link

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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.

24. Q&A:
What is ADS-C?

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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

28. 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

29. Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Contract (ADS-C)
Typical Periodic Report
BAS:
ERF:
Pos = N W
Track = 45.5 degree
Alt = ft
GS = 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 = N W
MET:
Wind dir = 237 degree
ETA = 01:07:36 UTC
Wind spd = 58.5 knots
Pos = N W
Temp = C

30. Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Contract (ADS-C)
Typical Waypoint Report
WPC:
Pos = N W
Alt = ft
Time = 00:00:34
Multiple NAV units
Accuracy < 0.25 NM
TCAS is ON
PRR:
Pos = N W
Alt = ft
ETA = 00:59:29 UTC
Pos = N W

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

32. 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

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

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

35. 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

36. 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 headquarters_offices/avs/offices/afs/afs400/ afs470/datacomm/ to view the checklist

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

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

39. 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

40. Q&A:
Why have a Gulfstream Internal Form?

41. 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

42. 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)

43. 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