Controller-pilot data link statistics from NASA's 1997 Atlanta Flight Test

Abstract

Controller-Pilot communications at NASA's Low Visibility Landing and Surface Operations (LVLASO) flight test (Atlanta, GA 1997) used a Mode-S datalink to reinforce normal VHF radio communications. The Controller-Pilot Datalink Communications (CPDLC) channel followed a modified version of the RTCA DO-219 standard to uplink taxi routes and hold clearances to NASA's 757 research aircraft. A Controller Interface (CI) workstation encoded the air traffic controllers' instructions into the DO-219 format. The CI also used electronic flight strips and a graphical map to increase the controllers' situational awareness. This paper investigates the statistical success of the CPDLC channel. "Lost" messages that did not appear on the display are analyzed for the fault source. Round trip time between the CI and the 757 displays are presented. Finally, the voice recognition accuracy statistics are examined.