Gulfstream has received US Federal Aviation Administration approval to use the Future Air Navigation System 1/A datalink on its G450 large-cabin business jet.
FANS was developed to address air-traffic control's ability to handle a dramatic increase in aircraft. The system uses automation and satellite-based navigation to improve aviation communication, navigation, surveillance and traffic management.
The ability to use FANS 1/A applies to G450s equipped with the enhanced navigation package, which is available as part of Certification Foxtrot for Gulfstream's PlaneView flightdeck.
Pres Henne, senior vice-president, programmes, engineering and test at Gulfstream says: "Being able to offer ADS-C and CPDLC to our operators is important because they provide improved communications and operational efficiency. Our operators value that and we do, too."
CPDLC/ADS-C provides flightcrews with direct communication to oceanic and remote-area air-traffic controllers. It enhances safety because it automatically reports when an aircraft deviates from its cleared altitude and route. It also provides meteorological data from the aircraft's sensors.
Crews using the datalink log on to the air-traffic system computer, which allows it to exchange information with ground-based computers. Those computers automatically transfer responsibility for the aircraft to the next region's air-traffic system as the aircraft travels along its route. This eliminates the need for crews to use radio operators and high-frequency radios to request clearances and provide position reports.
ADS-C allows an air-traffic controller to initiate the tracking of an aircraft's position from the ground using information sent at predetermined intervals from the jet's on-board sensors.
Source: Flight International
