Effects of the Controller-to-Pilot Data Link (Datalink) on Crew Communication

Abstract

This paper discusses a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) manned simulation study that investigated the effects of Controller-to-Pilot Data Link (datalink) on crew communications. Professional pilots participated in high fidelity simulation tests where crews received Air Traffic Controller (ATC) messages through the datalink. The results were compared to a similar study conducted where crews only communicated by radio to controllers. Results demonstrate that the nature of crew communications within the flight deck do change because of datalink. Unlike in the past where crews became aware of ATC communications at the same time through their headsets, new communication types are now needed due to the shift from ATC radio communications to ATC datalink messages. Thus flight crews must keep each other aware of information passed through the datalink. The frequency of communication was found to be significantly different depending on the location of the datalink on the flight deck. In addition, datalink crews experienced significantly less ATC radio transmissions as expected; however, the within crew communication related to datalink increased. When within crew datalink communication and the ATC radio communication are combined, one finds that ATC related communication is significantly higher in datalink crews as compared to traditional radio crews. This study illustrates the need to fully evaluate the impact new technology has on flight crews and their communication process.

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