Question

What are some of the current issues or risks facing the deployment of controller – pilot data link communications (CPDLC) in the United States?

Answer 1

Answer)

Controller Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) is the means of the communication between a controller operator and the airplane pilot using the data link for ATC communications. It is a two-way data-link system through which the controller transmits the non-urgent 'strategic messages to an aircraft which is an alternative to the voice communications. Air navigation service providers and operators have been reporting many issues regarding the CPDLC system such as technical issues when implementing Regulation (EC) No 29/2009, and disconnections of existing air-ground data communications. Communication problems using the data link systems mitigating communication problems as unclear radio comms and also misinterpretation due to language differences and poor clarity. The major problem with the voice radio comms is that all the pilots are being handled by a single controller and all are tuned to the same frequency. As the number of pilots tuned in increases, the number of communications increase and thus this has the problem where the pilot will accidentally override another thus missing the transmission. The number of flights which can be controlled also reaches a saturation point by a single controller.