Story ID: BCHungaryDataComm08272014
Hungary Starts Controller-Pilot Data Comm Project
By: Bill Carey
Caption: The air navigation service provider of Hungary plans to introduce controller-pilot datalink communications next February.
Word Count: 206
HungaroControl, the air navigation service provider of Hungary, said it has started a €6.8 million ($9 million) program to implement data communications between controllers and pilots. The company plans to introduce controller-pilot datalink communications (CPDLC) next February as required by Single European Sky regulation.

Using CPDLC, controllers and pilots will be able to communicate by text messages, which helps to prevent misunderstandings that can occur with voice communications while relieving congested radio frequencies. HungaroControl will introduce the service for non-critical messages as a function of its Magyar Automated and Integrated Air Traffic System. Among capabilities, the system’s Build 10.1 software will be able to prevent accidental posting of data messages caused by “misclicking."

HungaroControl is financing 80 percent of the project; the European Union is financing the balance through the Trans-European Transport Network infrastructure project. A private company, HungaroControl is a member of Eurocontrol's functional airspace block central Europe (FAB CE) with Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Slovenia.

“HungaroControl is in the vanguard of developing the CPDLC technology in Europe, and we are convinced that using datalink communication may considerably improve flight safety and the capacity of air navigation service providers,” said Kornél Szepessy, HungaroControl CEO.