The acronym CPDLC has become very common in aviation recently. As a very brief description, CPDLC is a European airspace avionics requirement that is already in effect as of this writing (October 2015).
CPDLC stands for Controller Pilot Data Link Communication. It allows for reduced radio communication between pilots and controllers to receive airspace clearances and air traffic control altitudes and routing. One of the major issues that busy airspaces in Europe suffered was extremely busy radio frequencies. As a result, there were delays in routing and clearances. CPDLC is an effort to combat this and introduce a more streamlined system.
Which aircraft must install equipment that can comply with CPDLC requirements? As a general rule of thumb, the law mandates that aircraft types currently in production must meet the CPDLC requirements. The law was written to make sure that Boeing 737s and Airbus A320s complied (these being the most common users of airspace), but the language includes a large swathe of private aircraft as well. The good news for many owners is that their aircraft are no longer in production (a Citation Bravo, for example), and they do not need to comply with this, often expensive, upgrade. In addition, EASA issued a variety of permanent exemptions to this rule, allowing some aircraft still in production to have no obligation to comply (the Embraer Legacy, for example). Others have a temporary exemption giving them a two year compliance window in order to find a solution to this requirement. It’s best to contact your avionics supplier to determine if your aircraft is exempt.
This can be a somewhat confusing mandate, but nonetheless is in effect and a requirement for European operations. Most new aircraft are coming out of the factory with this mandate complied with, but for those delivered in 2007 – 2014, only a few came out with this requirement already installed.
We can give you more information and help point you in the right direction for these upgrades. You can reach us at +44 (0) 203 551 8007 or enquiries@colibriaircraft.com.
