CPDLC
11/20/2025 ATS- COMMS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 1
END OF MODULE OBJECTIVE
Conditions : Given power point slides/ classroom
presentation
Performance : The trainees will be able to familiarize
themselves with CPDLC and identify Controller CPDLC
data – link Terminal
Standard : in accordance with NCAT training PPT and
the manufacturers training Manual / hand book
Thursday 20 November 2025 INSTRUCTIONAL SYSTEMS DESIGN UNIT PPT 1.2
INTERMIDIATE OBJECTIVES
STORY OF CPDLC
KNOW THE MEANING OF SELECT ACRONYMS
KNOW THE CPDLC RESPONSE SYMBOLS AND
THEIR MEANINGS
Thursday 20 November 2025 INSTRUCTIONAL SYSTEMS DESIGN UNIT PPT 1.3
CPDLC
Controller Pilot Data Link Communication
THE CPDLC APPLICATION
CPDLC stands for Controller Pilot Data Link
Communication.
CPDLC application consists for the controller and the
pilot the exchange of ATC requests and instructions over
datalink rather than the VHF or HF radio.
CPDLC enables the automation of routine
communication e.g. transfer of control.
CPDLC
CPDLC
CPDLC allows two way
communication
between
pilot and controller, but
using data link rather
than voice
Data Link
FANS STORY
1993 : Boeing FANS applications in the Honeywell FMS installed on the B747-400 { FANS / 1}
1995 : first B747 – 400 certified { Quantas}
FANS STORY
2000 : Airbus develops the ATSU supporting FANS
application for A340 / A330 { FANS/A}
2005 : Boeing and Airbus develop the FANS 1/A+
enhancement package
FANS 1/A applications
AFN (ATS Facilities Notification)
Allows aircraft to log to ATC facility and the transfer of
control
CPDLC ( Controller Pilot Data link Communication)
Replaces for verbal ATC instructions and pilots read –
backs
Automates ATC processes
BENEFITS OF CPDLC
TO IMPROVE SAFETY BY-
Reducing risk of controller – aircrew misunderstanding
Reducing congestion on voice channels
Reducing risk of failure in the transfer of information.
Thursday 20 November 2025 INSTRUCTIONAL SYSTEMS DESIGN UNIT PPT 1.10
Benefits cont.
TO IMPROVE ATM EFFICIENCY BY-
Increasing controller/aircrew productivity
Enabling automation
Providing concise and precise exchanges between
controller and aircrew
Reducing voice communication workload
Thursday 20 November 2025 INSTRUCTIONAL SYSTEMS DESIGN UNIT PPT 1.11
COCPIT
COCPIT stands for Controller CPDLC data-link Terminal
Thursday 20 November 2025 INSTRUCTIONAL SYSTEMS DESIGN UNIT PPT 1.12
COCPIT PURPOSE
The purpose is for dialog between ATC and aircraft using
standard FANS 1/A+ text messages to avoid
misunderstanding.
Thursday 20 November 2025 INSTRUCTIONAL SYSTEMS DESIGN UNIT PPT 1.13
COCPIT description
HEADER
Control region identifier
Current date and time
Thursday 20 November 2025 INSTRUCTIONAL SYSTEMS DESIGN UNIT PPT 1.14
COCPIT Desc.
FOOTER
Show the connection status
ACS (ADS/CPDLC server)
Flight DB (Flights Database)
Thursday 20 November 2025 INSTRUCTIONAL SYSTEMS DESIGN UNIT PPT 1.16
CONTROLLER PILOT DATALINK COMMUNICATION (CPDLC)
Messages from the ground appear on a screen (or
printer) in the cockpit.
Using this display format reduces the risk or errors in
communication from occurring.
Only non-routine (e.g. emergency) type communications
will be handled verbally.
11/20/2025 ATS- COMMS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 17
CONTROLLER PILOT DATALINK COMMUNICATION (CPDLC)
Creation of a dialogue between pilot and controller,
ground or air initiated
Passing messages selected from ICAO standard list
Ability to use free text if required
Freedom to communicate with a non-controlling
authority for the purposes of getting future clearances
Transfer of communication between control authorities
by data link, rather than voice
11/20/2025 ATS- COMMS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 18
CONTROLLER PILOT DATALINK COMMUNICATION (CPDLC)
Creation of a dialogue between pilot and controller,
ground or air initiated
Passing messages selected from ICAO standard list
Ability to use free text if required
Freedom to communicate with a non-controlling
authority for the purposes of getting future clearances
Transfer of communication between control authorities
by data link, rather than voice
11/20/2025 ATS- COMMS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 19
CONTROLLER PILOT DATALINK COMMUNICATION (CPDLC)
The purpose of the CPDLC Connection is to allow the
exchange of CPDLC messages between an aircraft and
an ATS unit.
A CPDLC connection established between an aircraft
and an ATS unit is either active or non-active.
A connection is active when CPDLC messages can be
exchanged.
A connection is non-active when CPDLC messages
cannot be exchanged.
11/20/2025 ATS- COMMS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 20
CONTROLLER PILOT DATALINK COMMUNICATION (CPDLC)
CPDLC CONNECTION SEQUENCE
A CPDLC connection attempt can only occur after the AFN
logon has been completed. (AFN : ATS Facilities
Notification)
FANS 1 aircraft can have two CPDLC connections
established, each with a different ATS unit. Only one of
these connections can be active at any one time.
The non-active connection becomes active as soon as the
other connection is terminated.
11/20/2025 ATS- COMMS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 21
CONTROLLER PILOT DATALINK COMMUNICATION (CPDLC)
The CPDLC connection is initiated by sending of the Connection
Request message by the ATS unit and is established when
Connection Confirm message is received from the aircraft.
The ATS unit that has the active connection with the aircraft is
known as the “Data Authority”.
The purpose of the Next Data Authority message is to advise the
avionics of the next ATS unit that should become the Data
Authority.
The sending of the NDA message is the first step in the CPDLC
transfer sequence between an aircraft and two ATS units.
11/20/2025 ATS- COMMS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 22
Messages description
FIELDS:
Uplink/downlink arrow
Time stamp : hours, minutes, seconds { hh: mm: ss}
Aircraft ID : flight Identifier
Text Message : information of the message
Urgency: Distress, Urgent Normal, Low
Alert: High Medium, Low, No alert required
Response. W/U, A/N, R,Y,N.
Compatability with voice Praseology
CPDLC Application must include a set of
clearance/information/request message elements which
corresponds to voice phraseology and message set
procedures as contained ICAO DOC 4444 and approved
by PANS / RAC.
Thursday 20 November 2025 INSTRUCTIONAL SYSTEMS DESIGN UNIT PPT 1.24
Examples of messages
Level
Climb to {level}
Descend to and maintain {level}
Time
Cross {position} at {time}
Speed
Maintain {speed}
Messages cont.
Route
Proceed direct to {position}
[Free Text]
Squawk {code}
Transfer
At {position} contact {unit name} {frequency}
Resume own navigation
ANY
QUESTION?
11/20/2025 ATS- COMMS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 27
THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION!
11/20/2025 ATS- COMMS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY, ZARIA PPT 1. 28
ATS- COMMS NIGERIAN COLLEGE OF AVIATION TECHNOLOGY,
11/20/2025 29
ZARIA