Tue, Nov 16, 2004
"Voice Reception Very Clear"
The first commercial passenger
aircraft to use the Federal Aviation Administration’s Next
Generation Communications (NEXCOM) VHF Data Link (VDL) Mode 3
digital voice communications was certified October 17, 2004,
opening the way for more efficient voice and data communications
between air traffic controllers and pilots. The aircraft is
equipped with Rockwell Collins VHF radio and communications
management unit.
During the certification test flight from Atlanta, GA to
Atlantic City, NJ, the pilots in the Delta Air Lines Boeing 737-800
used the new digital voice communications system to exchange
messages with ground controllers and with FAA engineers located at
the FAA’s William J. Hughes Technical Center in Atlantic
City, NJ. Comments from the pilots were that "voice reception was
very clear" and "voice quality was much better than analog".
This historic event of the first operational use of digital
voice communications for commercial aircraft was a joint effort
between the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA),
avionics manufacturers Rockwell Collins and Gables Engineering, and
Delta Air Lines.
It was the final phase of a three
year program by Rockwell Collins to develop the first of a series
of avionics equipment for the FAA’s new digital VHF
communications system. The Rockwell Collins’ VHF-2100 VHF
Communications Transceiver and the Gables Engineering G7424-302
Radio Tuning Panel used in the flight is the first Technical
Standard Order (TSO) equipment to be certified for VDL Mode 3
operation.
Designed to replace the existing analog technology radio
communications system, the FAA’s new NEXCOM VDL Mode 3
digital system will provide the increased voice and data
communications capacity needed for air traffic growth. In addition
to improved voice communications, NEXCOM VDL Mode 3 will also
contain a high security digital data link connection. Messages to
and from an aircraft and the FAA ground controllers can be viewed
directly on a cockpit video display, eliminating any
misunderstandings of the controller’s instructions or pilots
requests.
The successful completion of this phase of NEXCOM VDL Mode 3
development provides a solid foundation for the FAA to begin
implementation of NEXCOM VDL Mode 3," said Nancy Guzak, NEXCOM
program manager at Rockwell Collins. "Our next objective will be to
certify follow-on NEXCOM VDL Mode 3 equipment we are developing for
use in business jets and we plan for that before the end of
2006."
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