Performance Based

Communication and
Surveillance
Data Link Operational
Authorization Process

Presented to: <ICAO PBCS Workshop

By: Trent Bigler, ASI, FAA
Date: 21 February 2013

Federal Aviation
Administration

Introduction

ICAO Annex 6, Chapter 7

Advisory Circular AC 120-70B
7 Part Checklist
A056 Operations Specification
Proposed Additions

Federal Aviation
Administration

Authorization Requirement
ICAO Annex 6, Chapter 7
7.1.3 For flights in defined portions of airspace or on
routes where an RCP type has been prescribed,
an aeroplane shall, in addition to the
requirements specified in 7.1.1:
a) be provided with communication equipment which
will enable it to operate in accordance with the
prescribed RCP type(s); and

b) be authorized by the State of the Operator for

operations in such airspace.

Federal Aviation
Administration

How does the FAA accomplish operator

authorization?
- Advisory Circular AC 120-70B Operational
Authorization for Use of Data Link
Communication System
- FAA design approval D/L system
- Revision to CFR 121, 125, 125M 135 OpSpecs
- Revision to CFR 91K MSpecs, CFR 91 LOA

- FAA Job Aid - a 7-part how to guide that

outlines entire process.
- A056 Operations Specification
Federal Aviation
Administration

AC 120-70B
Applicability CFR 91, 91K, 121, 125, 129 and
135
Describes the process of obtaining
Operational Authorization for D/L systems,
acceptable training and maintenance, and
operational polices for use.
Actions in event of an ATC data link
communications event.

Federal Aviation
Administration

AC 120-70B Chapter 8
Installation of a D/L Comm Sys requires
FAA approval of changes to Type Certificate
(TC) or Supplemental Type Certificate (STC)
Approval of installation does not constitute
authorization to use the system
Design approval of aircraft D/L systems IAW
AC 20-140() Guidelines for Design
Approval of A/C D/L Comm Systems

Federal Aviation
Administration

7 Part Checklist/ Job Aid

Basic Events in D/L Authorization Process
Recommended Inspector and Operator
Actions
General Operator Information
Operator Exhibits and Documents
Submitted
Content of Operator Application
Basic Pilot Procedures
D/L Maintenance Program
Federal Aviation
Administration

Part 1 - Basic Events in Data Link Process

Operator Actions
1.

Establish need to obtain Data Link authority.

2.

Reviews Airplane Flight Manual (AFM),

AFM Supplement or Type Certificate Data
Sheet or other appropriate documents (e.g.,
Service Bulletins, Service Letters) to
determine aircraft Data Link eligibility.
Operator contacts airplane or avionics
manufacturer to confirm airplane data link
eligibility.

3.

Contacts the FAA authority to arrange a

pre-application meeting to discuss
requirements for operational approval.

4.

FAA Inspector Actions

Establishes, during pre-application meeting:

Form and content of operator application
(exhibits/documents) supporting Data Link
authorization
Date prior to start of operations when
operator application should be submitted
for evaluation.
Federal Aviation
Administration

Part 1 - Basic Events in Data Link Process

continued
Operator Actions
5.

Submits operator application

(exhibits/documents) to appropriate FAA
with sufficient time prior to planned start of
Data Link operations for evaluation. (FAA
will specify time prior to planned start).

6.
7.
8.

FAA Inspector Actions

Reviews operator application (submissions).

Provides revised material when requested.
Issues operational authorization in the form
acceptable by the applicable authority, as
appropriate, when airworthiness and
operational requirements are fulfilled.

Federal Aviation
Administration

Part 2 - Recommended Inspector and Operator Actions

Lead

Action

FAA

Reviews the Basic events in the Data Link Approval Process with
operator in the pre-application meeting to provide an overview of
approval process events.

FAA

Reviews the Job Aid with the operator to establish the form and
content of the operator application for Data Link authority

Operator

Uses Job Aid as a guide to assemble documents/exhibits for its

Data Link application

Operator

Annotates Job Aid to show location of Data Link program elements

in exhibits/documents

Operator

Submits Job Aid and Data Link application

FAA

Annotates Job Aid showing task or document

complete/satisfactory or open/further operator action required.

FAA

Informs operator when further operator action is required.

Operator

Provides inspector, when requested, with revised material.

FAA

Issues authorization in the form acceptable to applicable authority

(e.g., Operations Specifications (OpSpecs), management
Specifications (MSpecs) or IGA Letter of Authorization (LOA) to
operator when required tasks and documents are completed.
Federal Aviation
Administration

10

Part 2 - Primary Source Documents

FAA Guidance - AC-120-70B

Data Link Approval Checklist
Operator Guide to Data Link Approval
Documents applicable to all DL Approvals

Global Operational Data Link Document (GOLD)

ICAO Doc 9869 (Manual on Required Communication Performance)
FAA Orders
FAA Inspector Guidance (e.g. Notices)

Federal Aviation
Administration

11

Part 3 General Operator Information

OPERATOR NAME:

AIRCRAFT MAKE(s)/MODEL(s), REG NUMBER(s), S/N(s)

_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________

PRE-APPLICATION MEETING DATE: ________

DATE APPLICATION RECEIVED: __________

DATE OPERATOR PLANS TO START DATA LINK OPERATIONS: __________
NOTIFCATION TIME TO FAA ADEQUATE? ___YES
___NO
AREA(S) OF OPERATION WHERE OPERATOR INITIALLY INTENDS TO START
DATA LINK OPERATIONS:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

11.
12.
13.
14.
15.

16.
17.
18.
19.
20.

Federal Aviation
Administration

12

Part 4 Operator Exhibits and Documents Submitted

Exhibit
A
B
C

Exhibit/Document Title

Operator
Indication
of Inclusion

INSPECTOR COMMENTS

Operator Letter Requesting Data Link Authority

List of Source Documents Used. Aircraft/avionics manufacturer documents showing
aircraft airworthiness and data link eligibility
Description of aircraft data link systems.
1.

D
E

Data link system make/model/series. Include certification documents and current

configuration (e.g. current avionics load); Aircraft Modifications (if applicable,
list all Aircraft Service Changes (ASC), etc).
2.
Include all TC, STC, LOA and AFM limitations and procedures (e.g. compliance
with RTCA DO-258/ED-100 and Annex 6 specifications).
3.
List of RCP specifications and documentation.(e.g. RCP type (240/400), RCP
type allocations, performance based communications, actual communication
performance (ACP), etc)
General Information.
Areas of operation/routes where operator intends to use data link.
1.
List of areas and/or routes where operator intends to conduct data link operations.
2.

List of air traffic centers/service providers with which the operator intends to
communicate via data link.
3.
List of policy and procedures source documents applicable to each area(s) of
operations, such as:
a. Operations manuals for specific areas of operations (e.g., FANS-1/A
Operations Manual (FOM) for operation in AsiaPacific flight information
regions (FIR)).
b. State Aeronautical Information Publications (AIP).
c. State Notices to Airmen (NOTAM).
d. FAA chart supplements (e.g., Pacific and Alaska chart supplement).
Flightcrew qualification programs. Operator will utilize a company approved data
link training course. Pilots have reviewed all source documents as listed in Section A,
Source Documents. Knowledge testing on submitted guidance (Appendix C) has been
successfully completed.
1.
Part 91 (GA) Operator Method of Pilot Training/Knowledge: Part 142
Training Center, Operator In-House Training, Course of Instruction; Record of
Course Completion.
2.
Part 121, 125 or 135: Pilot training documents.
Manuals and other publications. Operating Manual (highlighting ATC data link
areas); Operating Manual Supplements (FANS1/A, CPDLC, ADS-C, etc); Aircraft
Flight Manual (highlighting data link ops areas, limitations).

Federal Aviation
Administration

13

Part 4 - continued
Exhibit

Exhibit/Document Title

Manuals and other publications. Operating Manual (highlighting ATC data link areas); Operating
Manual Supplements (FANS1/A, CPDLC, ADS-C, etc); Aircraft Flight Manual (highlighting data link
ops areas, limitations).
1.
Part 91 Operator Operations Manuals or Documents: Operations Manual or section of
operators application documenting Data Link operational policy/procedures.
2.

H
I

Operator
Indication
of Inclusion

INSPECTOR COMMENTS

Part 121, 125 or 135 Operations Manuals and checklists

MMEL / MEL: System components required for data link operations are included in current version
(FANS 1/A, CPDLC, ADS-C).
Issues unique to a particular operator.

Maintenance Programs: For aircraft with established Data Link maintenance practices, provide list of
document or program references. For newly installed Data Link systems, provide data link maintenance
practices for review - Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM).

Plan for Data Link Event Reporting.

Part 129 Foreign Air Carriers

*SUBMISSION INCLUDES: ____ AIRCRAFT/DATA LINK COMPLIANCE DOCUMENTATION

____ OPERATIONAL POLICY/PROCEDURES
____ MAINTENANCE MANUAL SECTIONS RELATED TO DATA LINK (if not previously reviewed)
Note 1: If stand-alone maintenance and operations manuals are submitted, they may be combined into one manual.
Note 2: Exhibits/documents may be included in a binder or submitted as a stand-alone document(s).

Federal Aviation
Administration

14

Part 5 Content of Operator Application for Data Link Authorization

CONTENT OF OPERATOR APPLICATION FOR
DATA LINK

AC 120-70B
Ref. Paragraphs:

1.

2.

Operator Data Link Request Letter. Statement of intent to

obtain Data Link authority.

(Recommended)

List of Source Documents Used. Airworthiness documents

that establish the proposed aircraft/data link system, its
approval status and, in a form acceptable to the inspector, a list
of airframes.

Page 11, Para 8 (b)

Description of aircraft data link systems.

Data link system make/model/series. Include certification
documents and current configuration (e.g. current avionics
load); Aircraft Modifications (if applicable, list all Aircraft
Service Changes (ASC), etc).

Page 9
Para 6 (18) (19)

Include all TC, STC, LOA and AFM limitations and

procedures (e.g. compliance with RTCA DO-258/ED-100 and
Annex 6 specifications).

Page 9, Para 6b (18,19)

List of RCP specifications and documentation.

4.

General Information.

5.

Areas of operations/routes where operator intends to use

data link.

5a.

Operational Authorization

Inspector Recommendation
and/or Comments

Item Status
and Date

Exhibit B

3.

3c.

Note: operator should update this

column to reflect the content of its
application

Exhibit A

3a.

3b.

Inspector
Tracking:

Where Found in Operator

Exhibits & Documents.

Exhibit C
Exhibit C

Exhibit C
FSIMS 8900.1
(OPSS) A056 Data Link
Communications

Page 9, Para 7;
Page 12, Para 8c;
Appendix 6, Page 1

Exhibit C

Exhibit D
Appendix 6, Page 1,
Table 1

Exhibit E

Page 12, Para 8c

Exhibit E

Federal Aviation
Administration

15

Part 5 Continued
6.

Flight Crew qualification programs

7.

Manuals and other publications

8.

Minimum Equipment List (MEL) and/or

Master Minimum Equipment List (MMEL)
updates, if applicable. (only applicable if
operator conducts operations under an
MEL/MMEL)

Page 13, Para 9

Exhibit F

Page 21, Para 10a.

Exhibit G

Page 21, Para 10b.

Appendix 2, Page 1
Data Link
Communications
Minimum Equipment
List(MEL) and Master
Minimum Equipment
List (MMEL) provisions

Exhibit H

Page 21, Para 10d.

Exhibit I

9.

Issues unique to a particular user

10.

Maintenance Programs.
For aircraft with
established data link practices, provide
references. For newly installed data link systems,
provide maintenance practices for review.

Page 11
Para 8 a. General (1)
Page 22, Para 11.
Per Operators AMM

11.

Plan for Data Link Event Reporting.

Page 24. Para 13.

Appendix 1. Page 1.

Exhibit K

12.

Part 129 Foreign Air Carriers.

Page 25, Para 14.

Appendix 3, Page 1

Exhibit L

Exhibit J

Federal Aviation
Administration

16

PART 6 Basic Pilot Procedures for Data Link Operations

Data Link Operational Policy

& Procedures
(may submit applicable
GOM/FOM pages)

Reference
Paragraphs:

Location in Exhibit G & Exhibit H

AC 120-70B

Note: operator should update this

column to reflect the content of its
application

FAA RECOMMENDATIONS/
COMMENTS

Federal Aviation
Administration

Inspector
Tracking
Item
Status
And Date

17

Part 7 Data Link Maintenance Program

Reference Paragraphs
Data Link Maintenance Program

1. FAA Order 8900.1

Section and/or Paragraph

in Exhibit J where
Located

FAA
RECOMMENDATIONS/
COMMENTS

Federal Aviation
Administration

Inspector
Tracking
Item
Status
and Date

18

Tracking Application SharePoint

Provides a listing of all actions on
application package
Who has reviewed application package
Uploaded Documents into Sharepoint
Final Approval review
A056 Authorization
POI completes application package
-- AO56 Operations Specification

Federal Aviation
Administration

19

Tracking via Share Point Example

Federal Aviation
Administration

20

A056
Operations
Specification

Federal Aviation
Administration

21

A056
OpSpec,
continued

Insert FAA electronic signature

Insert Operator electronic signature

Federal Aviation
Administration

22

A056 Operations Specification (OpSpec)

A056 . Data Link Communications

HQ Control:
HQ Revision:

a. The certificate holder is authorized to conduct en route data link communications in accordance
with the limitations and provisions of this operations specification.
b. Authorized Aircraft and Equipment for data link. The certificate holder is authorized to condu
data link communications using the following aircraft and FAA-certified data link communication
systems:
Aircraft M/M/S

Data Link System M/M

Remark

A-330-223

ATSU - Airbus France LA2T0G2, VDR - Rockwell Collins VHF 900, none
SATCOM - Thales JETSAT AERO-I

A-330-323

ATSU - Airbus France LA2T0G2, VDR - Rockwell Collins VHF 900, none
SATCOM - Thales JETSAT AERO-I

B-767-324

Honeywell Pegasus FMC Honeywell MCDU

Rockwell Collins ACARS management unit -DLM 716C

none

B-767-332

Honeywell Pegasus FMC Honeywell MCDU

Rockwell Collins ACARS management unit -DLM 716C

none

B-767-3P6

Honeywell Pegasus FMC Honeywell MCDU

Rockwell Collins ACARS management unit -DLM 716C

none

B-767-432

Honeywell Pegasus FMC Honeywell MCDU

Rockwell Collins Communications Management Unit CMU-900

none

B-777-232

Honeywell/AIMS

none

B-777-232LR

Honeywell/AIMS

none

Table 1 - Authorized Aircraft and Equipment for Data Link

Federal Aviation
Administration

23

A056 OpSpec, cont.

c. The certificate holder is authorized to conduct en route operations using data link
communications in the areas listed in paragraph B050 of these operations specifications where the air
traffic service (ATS) infrastructure supports the use of Future Air Navigation System (FANS-1/A or
equivalent) air traffic control data link equipment and/or Aeronautical Telecommunications Network
(ATN)-compliant digital data link communications equipment, as applicable, in accordance with the
following limitations and provisions:
(1) All aircraft conducting domestic operations using data link communications with ATS must
be equipped with an approved collision avoidance system that is on and operating.
(2) Data link communications may be conducted only during the en route phase of flight, or
departures and arrivals as applicable, to include domestic, foreign domestic, oceanic or remote
airspace.
(3) Domestic data link operations must be conducted in an environment where air traffic
surveillance is available (e.g. radar or ADS-B).
(4) Data link messages with ATS may be used as a supplement to voice communications.
Voice communications must be continually monitored since there is still a requirement for the aircraft
to be equipped with operating VHF voice and, when required, HF voice radios along the entire route of
flight.

Federal Aviation
Administration

24

A056 OpSpec, cont

(5) Flight crews must have completed the certificate holders approved training program prior to
conducting data link operations. Flight crews must be familiar with and comply with:
(a) All STC and AFM limitations.
(b) All provisions applicable to the use and operation of the installed data link system.
(c) Regulations, policies and procedures applicable in individual countries and/or Flight
Information Regions, as published in documents such as Aeronautical Information Publications and
NOTAMS.
d. Aircraft Maintenance. The certificate holder must incorporate into their maintenance program
the data link equipment or systems manufacturers requirements for maintenance, and instructions
for continued airworthiness for the data link equipment and aircraft listed in Table 1 of this operations
specification. This includes cleaning, inspection, adjusting, testing, lubricating, and any other specifie
requirements.
1. The Certificate Holder applies for the Operations in this paragraph.
2. Support information reference::Amended to add B767-400 CPDLC authorization
3. These Operations Specifications are approved by direction of the Administrator.

Insert FAA Electronic signature here

4. Date Approval is effective: 01/01/2012
Amendment Number: 6
5. I hereby accept and receive the Operations Specifications in this paragraph.
Insert Operator Signature here

Federal Aviation
Administration

25

A056 OpSpec Template

Federal Aviation
Administration

26

Proposed Additions
Compliance determination

Operator demonstrates 6 months of acceptable RCP/RSP performance for the

aircraft types in their fleet. (similar to RVSM B046 Compliance)

Nominal continuity ACP meets RCP (TT (95%) and ASP meets RSP (DT
(95%)

Operational continuity RCP ET (99.9%) and RSP OT (99.9%)

ACP ASP affect how often ATC system/controller receives indication of no

operational response to ATC instruction or overdue surveillance data reports,
respectively
If ACP ASP do not meet criteria, determine acceptability taking into account
local environmental conditions and controller workload
Rule of thumb (operational judgment) 99% or better no action necessary;
otherwise contact DLMA/CRA, operator and/or CSP to determine any action
to improve performance

Federal Aviation
Administration

27

Proposed additions, continued

Compliance determination

Corrective action notice

If actual performance measurement indicates non-compliance, the State of the
Operator or State of Registry provides operator notice of action to correct
within a predetermined timeframe based on severity of the deficiency and
magnitude of the solution

State of the Operator or State of Registry would remove the RCP [X]
and/or RSP [Y] authorization if non-compliance remains after the
date indicated in the corrective action notice.
The operator may still use CPDLC and ADS-C, but specified aircraft types
would not be eligible for the reduced separation, or any ATS service predicated
on RCP [X] and/or RSP [Y]

Federal Aviation
Administration

28

Federal Aviation
Administration

29

Federal Aviation
Administration

30

Summary

ICAO Annex 6, Chapter 7

Advisory Circular AC 120-70B
7 Part Checklist
A056 Operations Specification
Proposed Additions

Federal Aviation
Administration

31

Questions?

Federal Aviation
Administration

32