NATS CPDLC Operations Guidance For Flight Crews and Airline Operators
NATS CPDLC Operations Guidance For Flight Crews and Airline Operators
NATS CPDLC Operations Guidance For Flight Crews and Airline Operators
Table of Contents:
1. Introduction ..................................................................................... 2
2. CPDLC Airspace ................................................................................ 2
3. NATS CPDLC Service ......................................................................... 5
3.1. Aircraft LOG-ON .......................................................................... 5
3.2. Required Aircraft LOG-ON parameters ........................................... 5
3.3. Establishing CPDLC Connection ..................................................... 6
4. CPDLC MESSAGE SET (Valid from 2013) .............................................. 6
4.1. Downlink Messages (London and Scottish) ..................................... 6
4.2. Additional Downlink Messages (London Only) ................................. 7
4.3. Uplink Messages (London and Scottish) ......................................... 7
4.4. Additional Uplink Messages (London Only) ..................................... 7
5. Error Messages................................................................................. 8
6. Important Notes ............................................................................... 8
7. CPDLC R/T Phraseology ..................................................................... 9
8. Appendix 1: Message set developments ............................................ 10
Glossary:
ACC Area Control Centre
ATN Air Traffic Network
ATSU Air Traffic Service Unit
CDA Current Data Authority
CM Context Management
CPDLC Controller Pilot Datalink Communications
DA Data Authority
DLIC Data Link Initiation Capability
FANS Future Air Navigation System
FIR Flight Information Region
HMI Human Machine Interface
ICAO International Civil Aviation Organisation
NDA Next Data Authority
OACC Oceanic Area Control Centre
R-ATSU Receiving Air Traffic Service Unit
SID Standard Instrument Departure
TMA Terminal Manoeuvring Area
1. Introduction
This is an information guide for flight crews and operators intending to
conduct Controller Pilot Datalink Communications (CPDLC) operations within the
London and Scottish FIRs. It contains information relating to the initial CPDLC
message set for ATN and FANS equipped aircraft, ATC procedures, CPDLC log-
on and connection information and details relating to UK continental airspace
where a CPDLC service is available.
This document also contains a small subset of what are expected to be the most
common datalink procedures, and new procedures developed to provide a
datalink service to ATN and FANS equipped aircraft. Appendix A contains details
of messages that will be introduced as part of a phased series of service
enhancements.
The areas of responsibility for the NATS participating ACCs (London Area Control
and Scottish Area Control) are referred to as Data Authorities. A data authority
is a defined area where a CPDLC service is provided. The NATS data authorities
are defined in Section 3.
2. CPDLC Airspace
Within the London (EGTT) and Scottish (EGPX) Data Authorities a CPDLC
service will be provided at FL285 and above, the service may be available
FL195 and above where possible. This excludes the London and Manchester
TMAs, where a CPDLC service is not provided.
Aircraft transiting the Manchester TMA below FL285 will maintain a log-on with
EGPX.
Upon entering airspace where a logon is maintained but CPDLC is not available,
the flight will receive the following CPDLC message:
If the flight crew initiates a downlink message the following response will be
received to indicate that no CPDLC service is available:
Upon entering CPDLC designated airspace the following CPDLC message will be
received:
"CPDLC IN USE."
Flight Crews should refer to the map of NATS CPDLC Data Authorities (see
Figures 1 & 2).
Figure 1
Figure 2
An aircraft may only receive a CPDLC service from a single Data Authority e.g.
EGTT or EGPX.
Flight crews are requested to check the UK AIP regarding logging on to the
correct CPDLC Data Authority prior to departure. Additional information is
contained within the Eurocontrol Flight Crew Guidance document.
http://www.eurocontrol.int/services/link-2000-programme
Notes:
Using IATA flight ID, inserting additional leading zeros or spaces will
result in a failed LOG-ON.
Incorrectly filed flight plans or late change of aircraft frame may result in
a failed LOG-ON unless the flight plan is updated.
NATS 28 January 2013 Version 1.0 DRAFT FOR INFORMATION
ONLY
NATS CPDLC Operations Guidance for Flight Crews and Airline Operators
On receipt of a response from the aircraft CDA will be established. Flight crews
are requested to respond promptly when a welcome message is received.
For more information on this process, refer to PANS ATM section 14, the
ICAO GOLD version 2.0, or Eurocontrol guidance material for ATC and
Flight Crews V6.0 for additional information.
* DM65 and DM66 can be concatenated with other Downlinked messages. See
ICAO documentation for a complete list of messages that may be concatenated.
5. Error Messages
If a flight crew receives an ‘ERROR’ response to a downlink message it should
not be re-sent as this may generate another ‘ERROR’, and a possible time-out.
6. Important Notes