Aircraft
FAA Seeks Contractor For NextGen Data Communications Network
The FAA has issued a request for offers to provide data communications services under the agency’s Data Comm effort, considered one of the “transformationa
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood (left) and FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt view datalinked air traffic control messages on Boeing 737 cockpit flight simulator during a Data Communications demonstration at the 2010 OshKosh FAA Fly-in. (Photo: FAA)
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood (left) and FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt view datalinked air traffic control messages on Boeing 737 cockpit flight simulator during a Data Communications demonstration at the 2010 OshKosh FAA Fly-in. (Photo: FAA)

The FAA has issued a request for offers to provide data communications services under the agency’s Data Comm effort, considered one of the “transformational” programs leading to the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen).

According to the NextGen concept, digital data messages eventually will replace voice as the primary means of communications between pilots and air traffic controllers, enabling more efficient operations and reducing communications errors and radio congestion. The FAA plans to deploy data communications in the tower domain by 2015 for departure clearances and other instructions, followed by en route messaging from air route traffic control centers in 2018.