FAA · Information for Operators (InFO)
InFO 23008: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Policy Change for United States (U.S.) Domestic Data Link Operations.
In Brief
What It Addresses
This InFO serves to inform Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) parts 91, 91 subpart K (part 91K), 121, 125 (including Letter of Deviation Authority (LODA) part 125 holders), and 135 operators change of policy to the U.S. domestic portion of the Operations Specifications (OpSpec), Management Specification (MSpec), or Letter of Authorization (LOA), Data Link Communications A056. This InFO also provides information on updates to operator participation in U.S.
Why It Matters
Authorization for domestic data link communication (CPDLC) use is no longer required for operation under any 14 CFR part. The A056 Table 1 template drop down selection options for domestic limitations are no longer available.
Recommended Action
Operators meeting the above requirements should follow the steps below to ensure acceptable avionics configurations for U.S. Domestic En Route CPDLC and to register for participation:
From the Document: selected source passages, quoted as written, for a quick overview.
Distributed by: Flight Standards
https://www.faa.gov/other_visit/aviation_industry/airline_operators/airline_safety/info/all_infos__________ An InFO contains valuable information for operators that should help them meet certain administrative, regulatory, or operational requirements, with relatively low urgency or impact on safety. The contents of this document do not have the force and effect of law and are not meant to bind the public in any way. This document is intended only to provide clarity to the public regarding existing requirements under the law or agency policies.
Subject: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Policy Change for United States (U.S.) Domestic Data Link Operations.
Purpose: This InFO serves to inform Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) parts 91, 91 subpart K (part 91K), 121, 125 (including Letter of Deviation Authority (LODA) part 125 holders), and 135 operators change of policy to the U.S. domestic portion of the Operations Specifications (OpSpec), Management Specification (MSpec), or Letter of Authorization (LOA), Data Link Communications A056. This InFO also provides information on updates to operator participation in U.S. Domestic Enroute datalink communications (Controller Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC)) operations.
Background: Authorization for domestic data link communication (CPDLC) use is no longer required for operation under any 14 CFR part. The A056 Table 1 template drop down selection options for domestic limitations are no longer available. A056 authorization is still required for international and oceanic data link operations but U.S. Domestic data link operations will no longer be reviewed on A056 applications.
Discussion: Participation in FAA U.S. Domestic En Route CPDLC is currently limited by NOTAM. This NOTAM will soon be rescinded and maximum participation will be available for operators with acceptable avionics configurations. All operators have the responsibility of knowing individual avionics capabilities and FAA domestic airspace datalink communications (CPDLC) requirements:
Very High Frequency (VHF) Digital Link (VDL) Mode 2 Communications Equipment (VDL M2) approved to Technical Standard Order (TSO)-C160a, VHF VDL M2 or later (capable of tuning to multi-frequency VDL M2), or an equivalent that meets the specification of automatically tuning to multi-frequencies.
Functional Integration or “Push to Load (PTL)” capability for loading route changes (e.g., uplink message UM79, UM80, and UM83) into the navigation system whenever they are received.
Additional information regarding the U.S domestic datalink communications operations/procedures is located at https://www.l3harris.com/.
InFOInformation for Operators
U.S. Department
of Transportation
Federal Aviation
Administration
InFO 23008
DATE: 10/03/23
Flight Standards Service
Washington, DC
Distributed by: Flight Standards
Recommended Action: Operators meeting the above requirements should follow the steps below to ensure acceptable avionics configurations for U.S. Domestic En Route CPDLC and to register for participation:
1. Review installed avionics. Do they meet the two FAA airspace requirements above?
Yes – continue.
b. No – cannot participate.
2. Compare installed avionics against the FAA acceptable avionics list at the Data Comms Website.
Where does your avionics fall on the Red/Yellow/Green list?
Red - cannot participate; contact your Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) for details.
ii. Yellow - participate; complete and submit participation form at the Data Comms Website.
iii. Green - participate; complete and submit participation form at the Data Comms Website.
iv. Not on list – cannot participate; contact your OEM and request to have your avionics configuration evaluated.
b. Not registering to participate and filing to participate on a flight plan will result in your aircraft being electronically blocked from logging on to KUSA. The FAA contracts L3Harris to process participation forms and monitor avionics/system performance.
Check A056, Table 1, for domestic limitations vs installed avionics.
Green/Yellow list - Limitation will be removed and operator may participate.
Red list - Operator cannot participate.
Contact: Direct questions concerning this InFO to the Flight Technologies and Procedures Division’s Flight Operations Group at 202-267-8806 or email 9-AWA-AFS400-COORD@faa.gov.
Source: Federal Aviation Administration — www.faa.gov. Reproduced from the published record; FlightPush adds formatting only.
InFO 23008