FANS (Future Air Navigation System)

Flight Crew Procedures

FANS (Future Air Navigation System)

Flight Crew ProceduresBrad Cornell

Flight Deck / Flight Crew Operations

Brad Cornell

Flight Deck / Flight Crew Operations

7 February 2012

Flight Deck, Flight Crew Operations Research & DesignPage 204/10/23

What is FANS? Future Air Navigation System

GPS - Navigation

InmarsatCommSpace

Air

Ground

Flight Deck, Flight Crew Operations Research & DesignPage 304/10/23

ATC versus AOC

ATC

•FANS Protocol

•Defined Messages

– CLIMB TO AND MAINTAIN [altitude]

– CROSS [position] AT [speed]

•95% within 60s

AOC

• Free text

• Multiblock Messages

– 1,000 characters

• 777, 787, A380 generates many multiblock messages

• No time requirements

20

55

Flight Deck, Flight Crew Operations Research & DesignPage 404/10/23

FANS Flight Crew Procedures

• Section 5 of the Global Data Link Document (GOLD)

• Overview

• Logon

• Uplinks

• Downlinks

• Automatic Dependant Surveillance

• Position Reporting

Flight Deck, Flight Crew Operations Research & DesignPage 504/10/23

FANS Flight Crew Procedures

• Overview

• Data Link requires different flight procedures between the pilot flying and pilot not flying than are used for voice (very important)

• Internal training program for FANS and integration with LOFT

• Requires operational approval from state authorities

• Operational approval enables regulators to ensure operators

have an adequate training program and that the training program follows GOLD procedures.

• When to use CPDLC and when to use voice communicaitons

Flight Deck, Flight Crew Operations Research & DesignPage 604/10/23

FANS Flight Crew Procedures

• Logon

• Unlike ACARS to establish a CPDLC connection the flight crew must “Logon” to an ATC facility to establish a CPDLC connection

• Procedures cover logging on when on the ground, after departure, and when entering a FANS capable FIR

• Procedures also cover automatic “handoffs” between FIRs and handoff failures

Flight Deck, Flight Crew Operations Research & DesignPage 704/10/23

FANS Flight Crew Procedures • Uplinks

• Once a CPDLC connection has been established CPDLC messages can be exchanged between the aircraft and ATC

• Each ATC data link (CPDLC) uplink message is annunciated to the flight crew using an aural and visual indication

• Unlike voice communication CPDLC requires BOTH flight crew to read the uplink silently to maintain situational awareness

• If reports are requested by ATC they should be responded to using CPDLC preformatted report messages not FREE TEXT

• Crew training material should highlight and develop special procedures for use of Conditional ClearancesNote: The Boeing 787 has a built in conditional clearance monitor function and the Boeing 777 has a crew

reminder function that can be used to remind crew of conditional clearances

Flight Deck, Flight Crew Operations Research & DesignPage 804/10/23

FANS Flight Crew Procedures • Uplinks - continued

• Free Text has been and continues to be a problem with flight crews.

Each operator’s training program should highlight and remind flight crew’s on the use of free text.

• Preformatted messages should be used AT ALL TIMES in stead of typing out the same message using Free Text

Flight Deck, Flight Crew Operations Research & DesignPage 904/10/23

FANS Flight Crew Procedures • Downlinks

• Once a CPDLC connection is established the flight crew can create and send a “downlink” ATC message by using the pre-formatted

message pages.

• Preformatted messages should be used AT ALL TIMES in stead of typing out the same message using Free Text

• To avoid potential ambiguity, the flight crew should avoid sending multiple clearance requests in a single downlink message

Flight Deck, Flight Crew Operations Research & DesignPage 1004/10/23

FANS Flight Crew Procedures • Uplinks

• Once a CPDLC connection has been established CPDLC messages can be exchanged between the aircraft and ATC

• Each ATC data link (CPDLC) uplink message is annunciated to the flight crew using an aural and visual indication

• Unlike voice communication CPDLC requires BOTH flight crew to read the uplink silently to maintain situational awareness

• Crew training material should highlight and develop special procedures for use of Conditional ClearancesNote: The Boeing 787 has a built in conditional clearance monitor function and the Boeing 777 has a crew

reminder function that can be used to remind crew of conditional clearances

Flight Deck, Flight Crew Operations Research & DesignPage 1104/10/23

FANS Flight Crew Procedures

• Logon

• Unlike ACARS to establish a CPDLC connection the flight crew must “Logon” to an ATC facility to establish a CPDLC connection

• Procedures cover logging on when on the ground, after departure, and when entering a FANS capable FIR

• Procedures also cover automatic “handoffs” between FIRs and handoff failures

Flight Deck, Flight Crew Operations Research & DesignPage 12

747-400 FANS Interface737NG, 757, and 767 are Similar

Forward CDU Functions

• FMC• Company datalink (ACARS)• ATC datalink• SATCOM• CMC• AOC

AFT CDU Functions

• ACMS• Company datalink (ACARS)• CMC• SATCOM

Flight Deck, Flight Crew Operations Research & DesignPage 13

747-400 ImplementationATC Data Link

• Uplink Annunciation

• Loadable Clearances

• Armed Reports

• Position Reporting

• ATC Message Log

Flight Deck, Flight Crew Operations Research & DesignPage 14

ATC Data Link

• Airplane Requests Clearance

• Review

• Send to ATC

Flight Deck, Flight Crew Operations Research & DesignPage 15

AOC Data Link

• Accessible via MCDU key

• Route Uplinks

• Wind Uplinks

• Position Reports

• Route Data Reports

Flight Deck, Flight Crew Operations Research & DesignPage 16

777 FANS Interface

• Large format displays

• Common interface for both Company and ATC

• Centralized alerting

• Common user interface with other function - ECL

• Crew Reminder Function can be used for conditional clearances

• Accept / Reject / Cancel Switches

• Automatic ATC uplink display

Flight Deck, Flight Crew Operations Research & DesignPage 17

787 FANS Interface

• Large format displays

• Common interface for both Company and ATC (FANS and ATN)

• Centralized alerting

• Common user interface with other function - ECL

• Conditional Clearance monitor

• Accept / Reject / Cancel Switches

• Automatic ATC uplink display

Flight Deck, Flight Crew Operations Research & DesignPage 18

777 FANS 1 Implementation

• MFD display

• Cursor Control Selection

• Functionally similar to 747-400

Flight Deck, Flight Crew Operations Research & DesignPage 19

777 FANS 1 Implementation

• Full Display of uplink

• Color coded display

• Action selection via CCD

Flight Deck, Flight Crew Operations Research & DesignPage 20

777 FANS 1 Implementation

• Route Request via MFD Form

• Most pilot selections via form

Flight Deck, Flight Crew Operations Research & DesignPage 2104/10/23

Questions?Questions?