Universal Avionics Completes Departure Clearance Tests

Universal Avionics flew its Citation VII to Louisville, Ky., and successfully tested the FAA’s new departure clearances (DCL) system using controller-pilot datalink communications (CPDLC) equipment that is part of the (Future Air Navigation System) FANS 1/A+ package installed in the Citation.

The live testing allowed pilots in the Citation to log on directly to the control tower and receive a clearance digitally, without having to make a radio call to clearance delivery. Once the clearance is received, the pilots simply call ground control and ask for taxi instructions. According to Universal Avionics, it took just 22 seconds to receive the clearance once logged on to the tower. 

While many airports offer pre-departure clearances transmitted digitally to cockpits in aircraft equipped with the required communications technology, such as a Universal UniLink communications management unit (CMU), these clearances are only good until 30 minutes before departure. If any changes occur after the clearance is received, pilots have to make a radio call then read back the new clearance. 

“If the wind changes direction and the active runway changes, aircraft will have to receive a new clearance with the new runway, SID, etc.,” said Carey Miller, Universal Avionics manager of business development. “All of the aircraft in line for departure will have to receive a new voice clearance which can take quite a bit of time, whereas with CPDLC-DCL, you receive the new clearance via data link and you’re ready to go.”

Aircraft equipped for FANS 1/A+ are able to take advantage of CPDLC-DCL, which will be available at 56 airports by year-end. Airports already equipped and operating with DCL include Teterboro, N.J.; Las Vegas, Nev.; Memphis, Tenn.; and 12 others, with four more airports coming on line by the end of April.

The Universal Avionics FANS solution includes the company’s SBAS FMS, UniLink UL-800/801 CMU and data-capable cockpit voice recorder.