Keywords
Citation
(2005), "More operators join LINK 2000+ Programme whilst area of CPDLC coverage extends", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 77 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2005.12777bab.011
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2005, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
More operators join LINK 2000+ Programme whilst area of CPDLC coverage extends
More operators join LINK 2000+ Programme whilst area of CPDLC coverage extends
Keywords: Aircraft, Air safety
The number of aircraft equipped under the EUROCONTROL LINK 2000+ Pioneer Programme has now reached a total of 152 as increasing numbers of operators flying in the core area of Europe have joined the Programme. At the same time, the Irish Aviation Authority has confirmed its commitment to participate in the LINK 2000+ Programme and implement controller-pilot data link operations (CPDLC) services.
“This is an exciting moment for the Link 2000+ Programme,” said Martin Adnams, who is now heading the Programme. “We are expanding the numbers of operators using the services, and at the same time, as a result of the commitment by the Irish Aviation Authority, we will see another major expansion of the LINK 2000+ airspace, bridging the core area with the Oceanic Transition airspace.”
Ireland's en route airspace is strategically placed on the main air routes between Europe and North America. From 2006 Shannon controllers will handle 90 per cent of all traffic between Europe and North America as a result of an agreement signed between the Irish and British Departments of Transport.
SAS, the first operator to have received European certification for CPDLC applications, has already equipped 13 of its B737 aircraft, with seven more to be ready by the end of the year. This currently represents an average of 14 daily flights using CPDLC services in the EUROCONTROL Maastricht Upper Area Control Centre (UAC).
On 21-22 October, American Airlines conducted two successful test flights in Maastricht UAC airspace, thereby marking the resumption of regular ATN/VDL2 CPDLC operations with a fleet of 13 Boeing 767 s already equipped with CPDLC.
Air Europa has taken delivery of the first of a fleet of 20 B737NGs. These aircraft are the first to be forward-fitted with LINK 2000+ CPDLC direct from the factory by Boeing. During the delivery flight of this aircraft to Europe on 5 October, successful CPDLC tests were conducted using the SITA European network, and the crew reported excellent system performance. Air Europa plans to start full operations with Maastricht UAC in March 2005.
Airbus Transport International, the carrier arm of Airbus, has signed a contract to equip five A300-600ST Belugas with a target date for certification of November 2004. This will be the first step towards retrofitting older generation aircraft with full ATN/ VDL2 CPDLC services.
On top of the 15 aircraft already committed under the LINK 2000+ Pioneer Programme, FedEx has decided to retrofit 15 additional A310s flying regular routes in European airspace. The certification date for the first aircraft using CPDLC is March 2005, with at least 20 aircraft to be fitted by 2007. From then on, all aircraft subject to cargo conversion will be CPDLC-equipped.
VHF datalink coverage in northern European airspace is also being expanded, with the recent addition of the ARINC ATN Billund Station. The SITA ATN network, for its part, was tested in extensive flight trials and with Air Europa. It is ready for full LINK 2000+ operational service.
LINK 2000+ is expected to deliver significant capacity gain and is part of a series of programmes that EUROCONTROL is steering to improve the efficiency and safety of Europe's air traffic management system.