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

Now that controller-pilot data link communication&nbsp;(CPDLC) capability is deployed in 11 of the 20 air route traffic control centers in the U.S., NBAA and GAMA are asking the FAA “to restore full availability of en route data link communications for all equipped general aviation aircraft.” In 2019, the FAA requested a stop to the use of en route CPDLC by general aviation aircraft, which was followed by the restoration of some service under the agency’s U.S. Domestic Enroute CPDLC Avionics Trial. “However,” according to the associations, “confusion escalated…after the FAA <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2022-10-13/faa-notam-prohibits-bizav-cpdlc-en-route-trial">closed that program</a> to new aircraft last year.”
In a March 31 letter to FAA Air Traffic Organization COO Timothy Arel and David Boulter, acting associate administrator for the FAA Aviation Safety Office, NBAA&nbsp;and GAMA asked for an update by April 30. The associations are also seeking information on acceptable performance standards for CPDLC for all operators and a timetable for the publication of guidance documents.
While operators are still able to use departure clearance (DCL) with their CPDLC-equipped aircraft, the situation with en route CPDLC is preventing the use of its benefits. CPDLC enables text message-type communications between pilots and controllers “of non-urgent strategic instructions and clearances, increasing the flight crew’s situational awareness and reducing radio frequency congestion,” according to NBAA. DCL greatly reduces radio congestion for pilots obtaining IFR clearances and even allows changes to be negotiated without having to make a radio call.
“We recognize this is a complex situation as the FAA works to make CPDLC available to all U.S. domestic operators,” noted Heidi Williams, NBAA senior director for air traffic services and infrastructure, who co-signed the letter with Jens Hennig, v-p for operations, safety, and security at GAMA.
“CPDLC-DCL has been shown to reduce taxi delays and improve understanding of ATC clearances, and business aviation operators are eager to resume use of this innovative technology for en route operations,” Williams said. “We look forward to prompt resolution of this situation.”

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NBAA, GAMA Seek Restoration of En Route Data Link Capability for Business Aviation Operators

The use of en route datalink benefits safety, and business aviation operators should have full access to these services, according to NBAA and GAMA.

NBAA, GAMA Seek Restoration of Bizav En Route CPDLC

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

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