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| CPDLC display in a cockpit. Photo: Wikipedia |
[Avionics Today 03-11-2015] SITA OnAir is engaging in a partnership with Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) Bulgarian Air Traffic Services Authority (BULATSA), and the Romanian Air Traffic Services Administration (ROMATSA) to improve air traffic communications in the Danube Functional Airspace Block (FAB) by supplementing voice with data communications.
SITA OnAir is enabling Controller Pilot Data Link Communication (CPDLC) services to the Bulgarian and Romanian control centers. The partnership with BULATSA and ROMATSA also includes the provision of Air Traffic Network (ATN) routers and Very High Frequency (VHF) ground stations across each country, which will allow both ANSPs to implement data link communication between the aircraft pilots and ground controllers. This move is in compliance with the European Commission (EC) regulation 29/2009, which comes into force as part of the Single European Sky initiative.
“Flights over the Danube FAB will now enjoy the use of data channels where messages are unambiguous and available on screen in the cockpit. This is an initial step toward implementation of [Single European Sky ATM Research] SESAR developed concepts such as the 4D Trajectory Data Link (4DTRAD) service,” said Director of Air Traffic Solutions at SITA OnAir Francois Bardin. The Danube FAB manages some 10 percent of the overfly air traffic in the European Union (EU).