Universal Avionics UniLink UL-800/801 Communications Management Unit (CMU) Software Control Number (SCN) 31.X is expected to receive Technical Standard Order (TSO) approval by midyear. The new software upgrade provides operators with the necessary Controller-Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) message sets to meet the European Link 2000+ Programme mandate requirements.

“With receipt of this certification, our customers will be able to start realizing the efficiencies and time savings associated with communicating via CPDLC,” said Dan Reida, Universal Avionics Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “Our FANS-1/A+ customers have repeatedly touted these benefits for oceanic operations and now, it will be available for European domestic operations as well,” he added.

Per the Data Link Services Implementing Rule (DLS-IR) and associated guidance, SCN 31.X supports the Aeronautical Telecommunications Network (ATN) Baseline 1 (B1) CPDLC and Context Management (CM) functions which are the core of Link 2000+ compliance. It also addresses Future Air Navigation System (FANS)/ATN CPDLC message harmonization. This addresses industry requirements for operational consistency and human factors for all FANS CPDLC and ATN CPDLC messages for operators flying in both continental Europe

and oceanic airspace. It is also provisioned for other FANS applications such as FAA Data Comm.

The UniLink UL-800/801 CMU can be installed on a wide range of platforms – even those with a third party Flight Management System (FMS). For increased installation flexibility, the UniLink UL-801 model features an internal VHF Data Radio (VDR) that saves weight and space (no need to install a dedicated system).