Eurocontrol, Europe's aviation authority, has selected Arinc to introduce the next generation of digital air traffic control communications - controller pilot data link communications (CPDLC) - into the region.
Arinc is to be the datalink service provider for Eurocontrol's busy Maastricht upper air centre (UAC), as part of the latter's Link 2000+ programme.
A network of 12 VHF data link (VDL) Mode 2 ground stations will be deployed to support CPDLC communications above flight level 245 in airspace above Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and northern Germany.
The system will go live in October when the Maastricht air traffic controllers will become the first in Europe to use CPDLC.
Text
The system allows controllers to send text messages to pilots, so reducing their dependence on voiceover radio.
The system will help towards cutting delays and increasing safety margins.
A limited set of CPDLC messages will be available at launch and the message set will be expanded as appropriate.
The launch operators to use Link 2000+ are Scandinavian Airlines Systems (SAS), American Airlines and Lufthansa.
Graham Lake, Arinc's managing director for Europe, Africa and the middle east, says: "This award strengthens Arinc's relationship with Eurocontrol.
"It further demonstrates our commitment to becoming the primary data link service provider in Europe, while leading the new applications of aeronautical telecommunications network/vhf data link (ATN/VDL) mode 2 technology."
The move to CPDLC comes after Arinc's successful ATN/VDL Petal II trials in 2001.
These proved the operational benefits of CPDLC and led the way towards the adoption of Link 2000+.
Service
CPDLC has been in service at Miami's air traffic control centre in Florida since early 2003. American Airlines is a CPDLC user in that airspace and others are expected to join when the system is more fully deployed.
Source: Flight Daily News
