Will Provide Real-Time Data Communications Between Pilots And Air Traffic Controllers

The FAA has awarded a seven-year contract to Rockwell Collins to provide the company’s oceanic data link (ODL) service to enable real-time, data communications between pilots and air traffic controllers, allowing aircraft to fly more efficient routes to save fuel and enhance safety.

Rockwell Collins’ ARINC data link service enables standard procedural requests, like altitude changes, to be communicated via data transmissions between the FAA’s air route traffic control centers (ARTCCs) in Anchorage, New York, and Oakland and flight crews on future air navigation system (FANS) equipped aircraft.  The service also allows aircraft to automatically transmit periodic position reports, enabling the FAA to track an aircraft’s location when traveling over the ocean and out of radar range.

“Rockwell Collins ODL service provides a direct data communications link between the FAA oceanic controllers and the flight deck resulting in operational efficiency and better service to the flying public,” said Yun Chong, vice president of Aviation Services for Rockwell Collins. “This award complements our long history of providing critical communications services to the FAA.”

In addition to the ODL services, Rockwell Collins also has ongoing programs with the FAA to provide oceanic voice service as well as domestic data link services as part of the FAA’s Next Generation Air Transport System (NextGen) initiative.

(Image provided by Rockwell Collins)

FMI: www.rockwellcollins.com, www.faa.gov