Weather Data Link Demonstrated

ARINC sent full-color Nexrad weather images rapidly from ground to the cockpit using standard Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS) messages transmitted over high-speed VDL Mode 2 (VDLM2) data link. During a test flight, the speed of the VDLM2 data link allowed the flight crew to view a Nexrad color image of Florida thunderstorms within 20 seconds after sending a request. The operational test was conducted outside Washington, D.C. for the Air Force Flight Standards Agency. Equipment included a Class 2 electronic flight bag (EFB) operating ARINC-developed software applications integrated with the aircraft's VDLM2 ACARS data link avionics. The ARINC-developed weather display application interfaced directly with ARINC's graphical weather service on the ground. ARINC said 10 percent of the U.S. passenger fleet already is equipped with VDLM2, and the avionics are now standard equipment on most new airframes. More