Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

Editor-in-Chief

Matt Thurber

Universal Avionics flew its Citation VII to Louisville, Ky., and successfully tested the FAA’s new departure clearances (DCL) system using controller-pilot datalink communications (CPDLC) equipment that is part of the (Future Air Navigation System)&nbsp;FANS 1/A+ package installed in the Citation.

 


The live testing allowed pilots in the Citation to log on directly to the control tower and receive a clearance digitally, without having to make a radio call to clearance delivery. Once the clearance is received, the pilots simply call ground control and ask for taxi instructions. According to Universal Avionics, it took just 22 seconds to receive the clearance once logged on to the tower.&nbsp;

 


While many airports offer pre-departure clearances transmitted digitally to cockpits in aircraft equipped with the required communications technology, such as a Universal UniLink communications management unit (CMU), these clearances are only good until 30 minutes before departure. If any changes occur after the clearance is received, pilots have to make a radio call then read back the new clearance.&nbsp;

 


“If the wind changes direction and the active runway changes, aircraft will have to receive a new clearance with the new runway, SID, etc.,” said Carey Miller, Universal Avionics manager of business development. “All of the aircraft in line for departure will have to receive a new voice clearance which can take quite a bit of time, whereas with CPDLC-DCL, you receive the new clearance via data link and you’re ready to go.”

 


Aircraft equipped for FANS 1/A+ are able to take advantage of CPDLC-DCL, which will be available at 56 airports by year-end. Airports already equipped and operating with DCL include Teterboro, N.J.; Las Vegas, Nev.; Memphis, Tenn.; and 12 others, with four more airports coming on line by the end of April.

 


The Universal Avionics FANS solution includes the company’s SBAS FMS, UniLink UL-800/801 CMU and data-capable cockpit voice recorder.&nbsp;

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Live testing of departure clearances took place in Louisville, Ky., using a FANS-equipped Citation VII owned by Universal Avionics.

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News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

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News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

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