From dispatch to air traffic control operations — Innovation in wind data uplink

This paper outlines a potential, initial standardization framework for Aeronautical Telecommunication Network Baseline 2 (B2) ATC Wind messages, based in large part on the current, widely-used ARINC702 Advanced Flight Management System (FMS) standard and Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS) for wind data exchanges between Airline Operational Control (AOC) facilities and airborne FMSs. Future advanced air traffic management concepts, such as Trajectory-Based Operations (TBO), may require all participants (e.g., Air Traffic Service (ATS) providers, AOCs and flight crews) to reference an accurate, single authoritative source of wind field data for flight planning and flight execution. Uplink of Air Traffic Control - Winds (ATC-Winds) has been suggested as a new ATS function in the B2 Final data communication standards to service this need. This paper introduces an approach that factors in current operational and FMS uses of wind field data, and provides recommendations on operational transition from current wind data uplinks to a future B2 ATC wind message set for trajectory-based operations support.