Rockwell Collins Prepares for Future European Airspace Requirements

Rockwell Collins is right in step with Eurocontrol, preparing for future European airspace requirements, technologies aimed at reducing today's air traffic delays. The Cedar Rapids, Iowa-based firm is participating in the upcoming PETAL IIe program, a follow-on to the successful Preliminary Eurocontrol Test of Air-to-ground Data Link trials held some years ago.

PETAL IIe will validate multiple users of Eurocontrol's and FAA's proposed controller-to-pilot data link communications system, a technology that will increase airspace capacity by eliminating the need for most routine voice calls between aircraft and air traffic controllers.

PETAL IIe messages will be exchanged over an Aeronautical Telecommunications Network, connecting pilots and controllers by means of a VHF datalink. Pilots read the messages on cockpit displays and acknowledge them at the touch of a keypad button. Datalink not only is faster than voice communications, it also eliminates most missed and misunderstood voice calls.