FAA Updates Automated Clearance Procedures
FAA has worked with industry to improve the process for pre-departure clearances. [Photo: FAA]
FAA has worked with industry to improve the process for pre-departure clearances. [Photo: FAA]

The FAA published an update last week to the 13-year-old JO 7110.113D order governing procedures for issuing departure clearance using the pre-departure clearance (PDC) system available through the electronic control tower datalink system (TDLS). The change resulted from the agency and user community jointly identifying several inconsistencies in the process, as well as misunderstandings about how the process is understood by those receiving clearances. Officials and aircraft operators also identified contradictory information within clearances and inadequate local monitoring of air traffic TDLS adaptations.