ATC Full Data Link Project (AFD) is a Demonstration Project running within the context of the SESAR programme. The project, co-financed by the SESAR Joint Undertaking, aims to demonstrate the use of controller-pilot data link communications (CPDLC) for routine operations such as clearances, hand-over and routing instructions.

Over the period February-April 2014, partners in the AFD project successfully completed a series of demonstration trials conducted with commercial flights operated by EasyJet, Air France and Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) across Italian and UK airspace.

The AFD flight trials represent the culmination of the project, and included safety and human factor assessments of the use of CPDLC which establish the operational feasibility and benefit of the use of data link services.

Throughout the project’s experimental and demonstration phases, the ENAV AFD platform at Rome Area Control Centre (ACC) was connected to the Airbus Cockpit Simulator located in Toulouse, and to the Boeing test-benches located in Seattle via ground VPN routing over SITA ATN network.

The AFD Consortium (NATS, AIRBUS, Air France, EasyJet, SAS, Boeing, SITA and Selex ES) led by ENAV designed and verified the set-up of air and ground segments that allowed for the execution of the flight trials. ENAV and NATS performed 95 target flights operated by EasyJet, SAS and Air France, with the participation of pilots, 30 expert air traffic controllers, 10 engineers and 4 human factor experts in the 3 ACCs involved.

Results from the AFD trials demonstrate the operational acceptability of the use of CPDLC applications to replace routine voice communications in line with the SESAR Target Concept and successfully confirm that datalink services are relevant to perform air-ground ATC coordination and to deliver benefits to airlines.

The system infrastructure used for AFD has also allowed a detailed analysis of data link performance at the network and radio-frequency level. Preliminary results of the SESAR AFD demonstration activities were provided to EASA and are reflected within their Report on Technical Issues in the Implementation of Regulation (EC) No 29/2009 (Data Link) published recently.

The AFD post-analysis activity is continuing and will be completed by July 2014 when the Project will deliver its final report to the SESAR Joint Undertaking.

AFD Flight Trials Campaign reference scenario