Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

Editor-in-Chief

Matt Thurber

According to OpsGroup, the FAA has rescinded the notam that restricted access to domestic en route controller-pilot datalink communications (CPDLC) services in the U.S. Until now, CPDLC was available only to trial participants. “That trial has now ended, and as long as your avionics make the grade, you can now make use of this service,” OpsGroup reported.
Now any business jet with the proper equipment can use CPDLC, and the FAA has published detailed information on the equipment requirements. Basically, this includes a VHF digital link radio (VDL Mode 2) that is approved to TSO-C160a "or an equivalent that meets the specification of automatically tuning to multi-frequencies” and a push-to-load-capable flight management system that can load route changes into the navigation system.
FAA <a href=" https://www.faa.gov/other_visit/aviation_industry/airline_operators/airline_safety/info/all_infos/InFO23008.pdf">InFO 23008</a> describes the steps operators can take to sign up for domestic en route CPDLC services.
The FAA has also provided a <a href="https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/En-Route%20CPDLC%20Participation%20List%20%28Pub%20v1.0%29%20November%2027%2C%202023.pdf">list of aircraft</a> and their equipment requirements, including color coding that indicates which aircraft/equipment combinations qualify for domestic en route CPDLC. While there are no aircraft listed as green (ready for CPDLC without any modifications or testing required), many business jet models are listed in the yellow section, which may require software updates and/or “evaluation of the accumulated 10,000 operational transactions.”

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The FAA has rescinded the notam that restricted access to domestic en route controller-pilot datalink communications (CPDLC) services in the U.S.

FAA Opens CPDLC to All Equipped Operators in U.S.

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News and developments about everything that goes into the cabin of an aircraft, from floor coverings to headliners, with a special emphasis on in-flight entertainment, communications and other electronics for passengers. If it is in the cabin of an aircraft, it’s covered here.

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