Potential enhancements to controller-pilot data link communications Build 1A lateral reroute functionality

The FAA Controller-Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) Program is the result of a Government-Industry agreement to proceed with a deployment of air/ground data communications in a digital format. CPDLC uses the Aeronautical Telecommunications Network (ATN) and a digital radio known as Very High Frequency Data Link (VDL) Mode 2. Bringing this capability into the field will be a long-term project that has profound implications for all aviation stakeholders. As a result, the program has been structured in a spiral development manner with the first two phases, or builds, known as CPDLC Build 1 and Build 1A. CPDLC Build 1 consists of four services (initial contact, transfer of communications, altimeter settings, and informational text messaging) and is deployed for use in Miami Air Route Traffic Control Center airspace.CPDLC Build 1 is in the final stages of testing and certification with plans for daily use starting in October 2002. CPDLC Build 1A is currently planned as a national deployment in en route airspace with initial daily use starting in December 2005. CPDLC Build 1A is broader in scope than CPDLC Build 1, with nine services (adding speed, heading, altitude, and route clearances, plus pilot initiated requests for altitude changes).