"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."

FMI: www.rockwellcollins.com