NORTH ATLANTIC DATA LINK MANDATE

MARCH 2020 UPDATE

1. Introduction.

1. This notice updates operators on the status of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) North Atlantic (NAT) region Data Link Mandate (DLM). The comprehensive source of information and guidance on the DLM is NAT OPS Bulletin 2017-1 (Revision 4) NAT Common DLM AIC, issued July 9, 2019. That bulletin is available free of charge at the ICAO Europe/North Atlantic region office website, under EUR & NAT Documents > NAT Documents > NAT Ops Bulletins. All U.S. operators intending flights in the NAT region should familiarize themselves with all the current NAT Ops Bulletins, and update operations manuals and training materials as applicable.
2. The NAT OPS Bulletin identifies specific airspace within the NAT region and specific types of flights that are exempt from the mandate. (Notably, the entire New York Oceanic CTA/FIR is exempt from the mandate.) Otherwise, as of January 30, 2020 all aircraft operating between FL 290 to FL 410 inclusive, throughout the ICAO North Atlantic region, must be equipped with operable FANS 1/A (or equivalent) CPDLC and ADS-C equipment.

2. Contingency Procedures. NAT OPS Bulletin 2017-1 provides procedures pilots should use in the event of data link equipment failure prior to and after departure, as well failures after entering DLM airspace. Aircraft separation standards within DLM airspace are based on fully operational data link equipment. Pilots must promptly notify ATC of any data link equipment failures prior to entering or while in DLM airspace.

3. U.S. Operator Authorization to Use FANS 1/A (or equivalent) Data Link Systems.

1. U.S. operators intending to fly in NAT DLM airspace must have been issued operational authorization via Operations Specification, Management Specification or Letter of Authorization (as appropriate) A056 Data Link Communications. Advisory Circular (AC) 90-117 Data Link Communications provides guidance on operational use, aircraft eligibility, minimum performance and services of communication service providers, performance monitoring, training requirements, and discrepancy reporting related to the use of data link communication systems.
2. Operators may also find helpful the information posted in the “FAA NAT Resource Guide for U.S. Operators,” under the Comm/Nav/Surveillance, Data Link Communications sections. Operators can find the resource guide at the following address:

https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/afx/afs/afs400/afs410/media/NAT.pdf

4. Contacts.

1. Aviation Safety Inspector Mark Patterson, Flight Technologies and Procedures Division, 202-267-8848, Mark.Patterson@faa.gov.
2. Aviation Safety Inspector Madison Walton, Flight Technologies and Procedures Division, 202-267-8850, Madison.Walton@faa.gov.
3. Senior Aviation Analyst Mark Wisniewski (SAIC), Flight Technologies and Procedures Division, 202-267-8843, Mark.ctr.Wisniewski@faa.gov.

(Flight Operations Group, Flight Technologies and Procedures Division, Flight Standards Service, March 2020)