Nov. 25, 2013
The FAA on Dec. 12 will publish a notice to airmen detailing plans for the rollout of Phase 2 of the North Atlantic Systems Planning Group’s (NAT SPG) North Atlantic Data Link Mandate (NAT DLM).
The NAT SPG has announced plans for Phase 2 which will be rolled out in three stages.
The implementation begins with Phase 2a, on Feb. 5, 2015, when flights within the NAT Organized Track System between FL350 and FL390 (inclusive) will be required to be equipped with FANS 1/A (or equivalent) controller-pilot data link communications (CPDLC) and ADS-C systems. During this stage, any aircraft not equipped with FANS 1/A (or equivalent) systems may request to climb or descend through NAT DLM airspace.
Such requests will be considered on a tactical basis.
Phase 2b begins on Dec. 7, 2017, and expands the affected airspace to the ICAO NAT Region. When Phase 2c takes effect on Jan. 30, 2020, all flights at FL290 and above will need the required equipment throughout the ICAO NAT Region.
The NAT DLM was created by NAT SPG to update navigation and communication requirements for crossing the North Atlantic. The objectives of the NAT DLM are to enhance communication, surveillance and ATC intervention capabilities in the NAT region in order to reduce collision risk and enable the NAT target level of safety to be met, particularly in the vertical plane.
The NAT SPG goals for the expansion of the NAT DLM are in concert with the ICAO Global Air Navigation Plan (GANP).
Phase 1 of the NAT DLM was implemented in February, 2013. As of that date, all aircraft operating on or at any point along two specified tracks within the NAT organized track system (OTS) between FL360 to FL390 (inclusive) during the OTS validity period are required to be fitted with and using FANS 1/A (or equivalent) CPDLC and ADS-C equipment.
Review the FAA’s advance notice of Phase 2 of the North Atlantic Regional Data Link Mandate (255 KB, PDF)
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.