According to OpsGroup, the FAA has rescinded the notam that restricted access to domestic en route controller-pilot datalink communications (CPDLC) services in the U.S. Until now, CPDLC was available only to trial participants. “That trial has now ended, and as long as your avionics make the grade, you can now make use of this service,” OpsGroup reported.
Now any business jet with the proper equipment can use CPDLC, and the FAA has published detailed information on the equipment requirements. Basically, this includes a VHF digital link radio (VDL Mode 2) that is approved to TSO-C160a "or an equivalent that meets the specification of automatically tuning to multi-frequencies” and a push-to-load-capable flight management system that can load route changes into the navigation system.
FAA InFO 23008 describes the steps operators can take to sign up for domestic en route CPDLC services.
The FAA has also provided a list of aircraft and their equipment requirements, including color coding that indicates which aircraft/equipment combinations qualify for domestic en route CPDLC. While there are no aircraft listed as green (ready for CPDLC without any modifications or testing required), many business jet models are listed in the yellow section, which may require software updates and/or “evaluation of the accumulated 10,000 operational transactions.”