The Data Communications (Data Comm) program delivers air-to-ground data link infrastructure and applications that enable controllers and flight crews to exchange air traffic control information more efficiently than existing voice communications. Data Comm services enable the transmission of complex instructions that can be quickly and efficiently loaded into an aircraft’s flight management system upon review and acceptance by the pilots. Program benefits include reduced communication time between controllers and flight crews, improved NAS efficiency and capacity as a result of reduced delays and increased throughput, enhanced safety through the mitigation of errors that can occur over voice, and reduced environmental impacts as a result of less fuel burn and CO2 emissions. The Data Comm program is a NAC commitment and a key enabling capability for the evolution of the NAS towards NextGen.

Data Comm Coverage 

US Domestic En Route CPDLC 

US Domestic En Route CPDLC Participation List

All operators have the responsibility of knowing individual avionics capabilities and FAA domestic airspace datalink communications (CPDLC) requirements as documented in InFO 23008, published 10/03/2023.

Operators meeting the requirements documented in InFO 23008 should reference the list below of acceptable avionics configurations for U.S. Domestic En Route CPDLC participation eligibility:

1. Red - cannot participate; contact your Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) for details.
2. Yellow - participate; complete and submit participation form.
3. Green - participate; complete and submit participation form.
4. Not on list – cannot participate; contact your OEM and request to have your avionics configuration evaluated.

En-Route CPDLC Participation List

The En Route CPDLC Participation List will be updated regularly as operational data is reviewed and as new avionics configurations are evaluated.

Data Comm notice towards GA Props for En-Route CPDLC Operations

The FAA requires the VDL-2 communications service coverage to be above 16,000 ft MSL plus lower transition airspace coverage around the DCL airports. As such, general coverage below 16,000 ft MSL is not guaranteed. Service volume continuity may exist for transition between some high altitude En Route airspace and lower altitude terminal and down to the surface around DCL airports but is not guaranteed everywhere especially if a terminal/Airport facility does not offer DCL. There are currently no plans to provide CPDLC service at approach facilities.

There can be cases within the airspace operation where high performing turbo props could be assigned lower altitudes where coverage is not guaranteed.  As a result, there is a possibility for service discontinuity, gaps, or interruptions on routes at lower altitudes. The use of CPDLC at these lower altitudes can lead to increased message failures, which has the undesirable effect of additional ATC workload, and could lead to the aircraft being identified as having unacceptable performance.

US Domestic En Route CPDLC Participation Form

• U.S. Domestic En Route CPDLC Participation Form
• U.S. Domestic En Route CPDLC Participation Form Multiple Aircrafts

U.S. Domestic En Route CPDLC Guides

• En Route Quick Reference Guide
• U.S. Domestic CPDLC Flight and Route Planning Guide
• En Route CPDLC Logon Guidance
• Data Comm En Route CPDLC Operator Check List
• Pilot Handbook - U.S. Domestic En Route Controller Pilot Datalink Communication
• Automated Blocked List Overview
• En Route CPDLC Filing Frequently Asked Questions

Technical Documents

• NAS Data Communications Guide
• CPDLC End2End Description
• FAA AC 90-117 Data Link Communications Document
• FAA Flight Operations Group for Data Communications (AFS-410)

All Information for Operators (InFOs)

• All Information for Operators

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ 1: The FAA’s InFO 23008 says that operators should review the “FAA acceptable avionics list at the Data Comms Website” but I cannot find the avionics list. How can I access the FAA acceptable avionics list?

Answer 1: The FAA publishes the En Route CPDLC Participation List / acceptable avionics list under the title “En-Route CPDLC Participation List” on the FAA Data Comm website.

FAQ 2: My aircraft is equipped with CPDLC avionics. I was not part of the Enroute Services Trial and I am trying to determine if I can participate in En Route CPDLC services. What steps can I take?

Answer 2: The FAA has released an InFO that provides instructions about how to participate in En Route CPDLC services. Operators should review the InFO and register their aircraft by submitting the form to L3Harris.

FAQ 3: The FAAs website says that new participants should contact the FAA to conduct Interoperability Testing. I am new operator participant and my configuration is not listed on the En-Route CPDLC Participation List. What steps should I take to undertake the Interoperability Testing?

Answer 3: The Interoperability Testing is primary an activity conducted between the FAA and the aircraft manufacturer and / or avionics supplier. Most operators are not directly part of the Interoperability Testing process. You should contact your aircraft manufacturer or supplier to verify if your aircraft make/model configuration has conducted the Interoperability Testing and review the FAA CPDLC En Route Participation List / acceptable avionics list (see, FAQ1 for more information about the FAA acceptable avionics list). If your configuration is not listed please contact your aircraft manufacturer or supplier, who will provide L3Harris the required information for FAA review of the configuration.

FAQ 4: What is the difference between the L3Harris RAVe list and the FAA acceptable avionics list?

Answer 4: The FAA has incorporated the L3Harris RAVe List into the FAA En Route CPDLC Participation List / acceptable avionics list. The RAVe List is no longer in effect and operators are required to comply with the En-Route CPDLC Participation List.

FAQ 5: I understand that the FAA acceptable avionics list identifies aircraft configurations as Red, Yellow or Green. What are the implications from the aircraft make/model configuration that I am operating being identified as Yellow?

Answer 5: The designation of an aircraft as Yellow in the FAA En Route CPDLC Participation / acceptable avionics list means that the operation of the aircraft has no significant known issues that impact the use of CPDLC and/or that the FAA does not have enough operational data to determine performance. When sufficient operational data has been collected, the FAA may shift the aircraft into another category based on performance.

FAQ 6: After interoperability testing is completed, when will new configurations be added to the Participation List?

Answer 6: When the FAA interoperability team performs testing, they are only able to verify the functionality of the FMS – not the other two components critical to CPDLC (CMU and radio).  The FMS has the application-level encoding/decoding rules for the message set and performs most of the CPDLC message processing.

Once the FMS passes interop testing, it is eligible for inclusion in the Participation list.  Participation forms submitted to L3Harris that contain FMS/CMU/Radio configurations which are not currently on the Participation List will be reviewed with the FAA.  If the FMS has completed interop testing, the entire configuration on the form is added to the Participation List (in yellow).

If operators are interested in which FMS’ have undergone interop testing, they should reach out to their OEMs, who are familiar with the testing that has taken place.

FAQ 7: I want to evaluate CPDLC functionality/performance by exchanging test messages in the operational NAS.  What is the FAA position for conducting such a test?

Answer 7: The operational NAS must not be used to test any CPDLC function.

Testing for Flight Management System (FMS) functionality may be conducted with the FAA Technical Center with the use of KUSB logon.  In this case, the FMS testing can be conducted with avionics test benches, or with real aircraft that are on the ground.

FAQ 8: Can I participate in En-Route CPDLC with avionics not listed on the En Route CPDLC Participation List, exchanging CPDLC messages in the operational NAS?

Answer 8: Aircraft which carry avionics configurations that are not listed as either ‘Green’ or ‘Yellow’ in the En-Route CPDLC Participation List may not file for or use domestic En-Route CPDLC in the operational NAS. Refer to Info 23008, published 10/3/2023, which describes the process for En-Route CPDLC participation.

Operational Focus Area: CPDLC Uplink/Downlink Message Set

View the text version of the Operational Focus Area: CPDLC Uplink/Downlink Message Set (PDF).