Indianapolis Center Now CPDLC Operational for Qualified Aircraft

Dec. 2, 2019

Marking the completion of key site testing, the FAA Data Comm Program announced that Indianapolis Air Route Control Center (ARCC) is now controller pilot data link communications (CPDLC) operational. It is the second ARCC, after the Kansas City Center, to employ en route CPDLC with qualified aircraft, said Heidi Williams, NBAA’s director of air traffic services and infrastructure.

While this is good news for the aircraft equipped with the specified avionics on Data Comm Recommended Avionics Version document, business aircraft are not among the seven Boeing models and four Airbus models on this approved list. Until making this list, CPDLC-equipped business aircraft are restricted to tower data comm (DCL), said Williams.

Referring to FDC NOTAM 9/3752, Williams said this special notice prohibits general aviation and business aircraft from using en route CPDLC unless they are equipped with approved avionics systems that have demonstrated consistent, operational performance. The notice makes clear that tower data comm “DCL are still permitted” with the CPDLC avionics installed on today’s business aircraft.

“Some business aviators are still trying to use the en route services, and [project manager] L3Harris has to do individual outreach to track them down and explain why they are not to use en route CPDLC unless their equipment is on the approved list,” said Williams.

NBAA remains engaged with L3Harris through its representation on the Data Communications Implementation Team and meets with them monthly, said Williams. Work on the approved equipment and avionics list is between L3Harris and the applicable OEMs. .

To receive approval, aircraft operators should follow the FDC NOTAM’s recommendation and “contact their equipment manufacturer to work with the FAA and L3Harris to evaluate the operational performance of their aircraft configuration.”

This work is underway with major business aviation manufacturers, said Williams, and business aviation will be able to file for En Route CPDLC with operational ARCCs when their aircraft’s consistent operational performance adds them to the Data Comm Recommended Avionics Version document.