Chicago Jet has received FAA and EASA approval for an STC amendment adding Europe-mandated ATN B1 capability to the UniLink UL-800/801, Universal Avionics announced at the Aircraft Electronics Association conference this week in Las Vegas.

The amendment is for an approved model list STC covering the Challenger 600, 601, and 604; Falcon 50/50EX and 2000/2000EX; and Gulfstream Astra, G100, GII, GIII, GV, and G500 (older version).

Those aircraft equipped with the Chicago Jet FANS/CPDLC STC with the Universal UL800/801 Communications Management Unit can add the amendment with Aeronautical Telecommunications Network Baseline 1 (ATN B1) controller pilot datalink communications (CPDLC) and context management functions. This would meet Europe’s Feb. 2, 2010 ATN B1 mandate, formerly known as Link 2000+.

The STC offers a choice of Iridium datalink satcoms, including the Rockwell Collins ICS-120/220A, True North TN 1007-100, and Latitude DL150.

Chicago Jet is developing an STC to cover additional models, including the Falcon 900/900EX, Gulfstream GIV and GIV-SP, and Boeing 767-200.

"I'm very pleased that we've been able to add the ATN B1 capability to our AML STCs for CPDLC," said Mike Mitera, president of Chicago Jet Group. "This is a significant accomplishment that is going to provide datalink solutions for not only the operators based in Europe, but also for the operators here in the U.S. that will be traveling to the EU with their aircraft.”