Eurocontrol Issues Datalink Guidelines for Operators

Eurocontrol has released guidance on using controller-pilot datalink communications (CPDLC) now required in most of Europe’s airspace. The recommended practices mainly focus on how operators should log on and key steps in-flight.

Based on ICAO procedures, flight crew should be logged on for CPDLC 10 minutes before entering airspace where its use is required. They should check the connection after reaching 10,000 feet and report if it is not working, unless the issue relates to a known incident of interference with the GNSS service.

The guidance warns pilots not to disconnect from CPDLC, pointing out that this is tantamount to disabling a radio. That said, in some time-critical situations, voice clearances may still be used, and this would also apply if network connections prove slow and uplinks get lost.

Eurocontrol’s notes also mention that an uplink message stating that a flight is “cleared to” a specific waypoint via multiple other points is a route change rather than a direct clearance. It should not be confused with a “proceed direct to” message that relates to a single waypoint.

The latest guidance emphasizes the need to use the CPDLC load function to avoid errors. It also covers the appropriate response when replying to controllers’ requests to “advise/state preferred level.”