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CPDLC

1440px-A330_DCDU.jpg

Controller Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) is a two-way data-link system by which controllers can transmit non-urgent 'strategic' messages to an aircraft as an alternative to voice communications. The message is displayed on a flight deck visual display.

CPDLC was first implemented in Europe by Eurocontrol's Maastricht Upper Airspace Control Centre. Since then, many other ANSPs worldwide have implemented CPDLC in their ACCs. Nowadays, most aircraft flying as GAT above FL285 within the Single European Sky (SES) must be CPDLC equipped (with a few exceptions).

In Germany, CPDLC is only available in UACs Maastricht (MUAC) and Karlsruhe (KUAC). ACCs Bremen, Langen and München do not offer CPDLC services. 

Benefits and Risks

Multiple studies describe the following benefits of CPDLC:

  • Less communication on the ATC frequency
  • Increased sector capacities
  • More pilot requests can be dealt with simultaneously
  • Reduced probability of miscommunication (e.g. due to callsign confusion)
  • Safer frequency changes, hence fewer loss of communication events

Video Skybrary: CPDLC

Click on the picture to see the video on Skybrary

Main Principles of CPDLC

In general, the following main principles exist for the use of CPDLC:

  • Voice and data link shall co-exist. Pilots are required to monitor ATC's frequency and have to make an initial call after changing frequencies. Additionally, ATC can always use voice communications when necessary. 
  • CPDLC shall only be used in the context of non-time-critical communications. Time-criticality is mainly determined by the following factors: ATC traffic situation, end-to-end performance (systems and flight crew/controller response time) and recovery time. Users should be aware that while a voice response is generally expected in a few seconds, the latency of CPDLC is usually much longer (up to several minutes).
  • Only one open dialogue of the same type (climb/descent, direct, speed, heading, squawk) with the same aircraft at any given time is allowed. For example, it is not allowed to issue two climb instructions without a response from the pilot between both messages. This is to avoid confusion and misinterpretation of ATC clearances. 
  • The decision to use either voice or CPDLC shall be at the discretion of the controller and/or pilot involved.
  • The provision of CPDLC shall respect the following standard as provided in ICAO Annex 11, Chapter 3, par. 3.5.1: “A controlled flight shall be under the control of only one air traffic control unit at any given time”.

Reverting to Voice

Usually, when a controller or pilot communicates via CPDLC, the response should be via CPDLC. When a controller or pilot communicates via voice, the response should be via voice. The following circumstances describe potential situations where the air-ground communications should revert to voice:

  • When it is required to clarify the meaning or the intent of any CPDLC message
  • When it is necessary to ensure the timely execution of an instruction issued by CPDLC
  • When corrective actions are required with respect to unintended messages that have been sent using CPDLC
  • When a system generates a time-out or an error for a CPDLC message

The following phraseology regarding the use of CPDLC is defined in the AIP:

Deutsch English
Failure of CPDLC
[AN ALLE FUNKSTELLEN] CPDLC Ausfall (Anweisungen) [ALL STATIONS] CPDLC FAILURE (instructions)
Failure of a single CPDLC message
CPDLC NACHRICHTEN FEHLER (angemessene Freigabe, Anweisung, Information oder Anfrage); CPDLC MESSAGE FAILURE (appropriate clearance, instruction, information or request)
To correct CPDLC clearances, instructions, information or requests
IGNORIEREN SIE CPDLC (Art der Nachricht) NACHRICHT, TRENNUNG (korrigierte Freigabe, Anweisung, Information oder Anfrage) DISREGARD CPDLC (message type) MESSAGE, BREAK (correct clearance, instruction, information or request);
To instruct all stations or a specific flight to avoid sending CPDLC requests for a limited period of time
[AN ALLE FUNKSTELLEN] [BIS AUF WEITERES] KEINE CPDLC ANFRAGEN MEHR SENDEN [(Gründe)] [ALL STATIONS] STOP SENDING CPDLC REQUESTS [UNTIL ADVISED] [(reason)]
To resume normal use of CPDLC
[AN ALLE FUNKSTELLEN] NEHMEN SIE DEN NORMALEN CPDLC-BETRIEB WIEDER AUF [ALL STATIONS] RESUME NORMAL CPDLC OPERATIONS

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