Thesis: The Controller-pilot datalink communications (CPDLC) will improve the quality of flight by assisting the Air Traffic Controller (ATC) give the pilot pre-departure/departure, weather disruptions, in-flight, and descent/landing directions via text message.

I. During pre-departure or departure the ATC is able to upload instructions to the pilots and flight management systems in real time on the CPDLC.

A. With the CPDLC departures are sped up, taxi time is reduced causing less fuel burn, and increases runway capacity.

B. Communicating using a radio directly to the ATC for pre-departure and departure information takes time and could possibly result in miscommunication.

II. Weather disruptions can be a problem for pilots but while using CPDLC routes are delivered around bad weather in real time.

A. Having a real time update improves safety, provides efficient flight times as well as contribute to fuel cost saving.

B. Usually reroutes around bad weather are transmitted to pilots verbally over a radio with may be delayed by frequency congestion causing miscommunication.

III. While using the CPDLC landing clearance can be uploaded to the pilot’s flight computer.

A. Having information uploaded directly to the pilot’s flight computer provides more efficient routes, optimized profile descents, reduced flight time which reduces fuel consumption.

B. The pilots/flight crew usually enters landing clearance or runway changes into flight management computers manually and miscommunication can cause longer flights, more fuel consumed and decreased flight capacity.

IV. The CPDLC is not going to completely replace the radio communication between the ATC and pilots/flight crew but there are many advantages to using this system.

A. According to SITA (The world's leading specialist in air transport communications and information technology), “Controller Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) has become mandatory across the core of European upper airspace” (p.3).

B. “By supplementing traditional voice communications with direct data links between aircraft and Air Traffic Control, CPDLC allows controllers to handle more aircraft and manage them more safely” (SITA, p.5).

References: