En-Route Controller Pilot Data Link Communications Participation – US Data Comm Update

Several months ago, the FAA expanded access to domestic En-Route CPDLC by ending the trial program and rescinding a NOTAM that prevented business aircraft operators from participating on a broad basis. If you believe your aircraft is equipped with avionics capable of US En-Route CPDLC and were not part of the Enroute Services Trial, the information below helps provide you with the next steps to get started.

How can I tell if my aircraft is eligible?

In addition to rescinding the NOTAM, the FAA published an updated En Route CPDLC Participation List, outlining aircraft make/model and configurations capable of complying with domestic en route CPDLC requirements. The new participation list breaks aircraft down into the categories shown below.

• Red - cannot participate; contact your Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) for details.
• Yellow - participate; complete and submit participation form.
• Green - participate; complete and submit participation form.
• Not on list – cannot participate; contact your OEM and request to have your avionics configuration evaluated.

As of the time this article was written, there are no aircraft listed under a “Green” status. For aircraft listed under “Yellow” status the FAA will monitor at least 10,000 datalink transmissions per fleet type before moving any types to a “Green” or “Red” status.

How do I participate?

Operators with aircraft types and avionic configurations not shown in a “Red” status can fill out and submit a US Domestic En Route CPDLC Participation Form. The FAA also requests that operators who were registered and participating in the En-Route trials also resubmit a participation form. 

As a reminder, operators that plan to participate in US domestic En-Route CPDLC must ensure that block 18 of the filed flight plan contains the proper codes showing en route capability. Aircraft without route loading issues must file the DAT code (FANSE) to support a full UM80 loadable route when applicable. Aircraft that have known issues loading a route clearance with a STAR must file the DAT code (FANSER); for these aircraft, the assigned STAR will be appended as free text in the uplink message. The aircraft registration number and flight ID must also match the filed flight plan for a successful FANS logon.

Operators of aircraft types not listed on the configuration list or have not submitted a participation form, must file as NOT eligible for En-Route CPDLC by removing the block 18 DAT codes (FANSE or FANSER). The FAA has reported operators not registered are still attempting to log on to KUSA while airborne, or that the aircraft is filed as En-Route CPDLC eligible.

The ATC centers now activated for en route CPDLC are shown below in figure 1, with only four centers remaining to be activated. 

Also, a last reminder: CPDLC DCL operations are independent of, and not impacted by En-Route eligibility and operators are encouraged to take advantage of it wherever it is available.