Airbus Industrie's A340-300 testbed has demonstrated datalink communications between pilot and air traffic controllers as part of round-the-world trials of Airbus' FANS-A (future air navigation system) avionics (Flight International, 8-14 September, 1999).
The aircraft features an air traffic services unit manufactured by Aerospatiale Matra Aerospace Airbus, Smiths Industries' digital control and display unit and a Honeywell flight management system. Datalink communications were conducted using satellite communications and high-frequency radio on the Toulouse-Johannesburg-Sydney-Papeete-Los Angeles-Toulouse flight.
Source: Flight International
