The UK's National Air Traffic Services (NATS) is to introduce a digital automatic terminal information service (ATIS) delivered by datalink to operators at London's Gatwick Airport this month as part of its ongoing programme to transfer communication services from voice to data.
The service has been tested by British Airways and Virgin Atlantic at Gatwick since September, but will become operational before the end of this month, says NATS.
The service delivers to the aircraft communications addressing and reporting system (ACARS) digital information which is usually supplied by voice. Information includes receiver-transmitter frequencies, runway operational data and weather information including cloudbase, temperature, dewpoint and surface wind.
The datalink service provides operational and safety benefits, says Ian McBean, NATS manager air traffic control Gatwick. "It means that accurate information is delivered to the flight deck, where pilots have instant access to the printout and automatic updates. Aircraft can also receive the digital ATIS anywhere in the world and not just within local VHF coverage," he says.
During the trial the system has been receiving several hundred "hits" each day, says NATS, which hopes to extend the programme to London Heathrow next year.
The introduction of digital ATIS is part of NATS' efforts to datalink as much routine information transfer between pilots and controllers as possible. Earlier this year, the service provider introduced controller-pilot datalink communications trials across the North Atlantic, waypoint reporting and voiceless route clearances.
Next on the NATS' datalink wishlist is the introduction of pre-departure clearances via datalink, although no timescale has yet been set.
Source: Flight International
