Airtel ATN and SITA launch new Aeronautical Telecommunications Network commercial test facilities in Dublin and Montreal

An EU Single Sky regulation on Data Link services requires most aircraft to be equipped to use Controller Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) by 2015. ICAO has defined the ATN standard protocol to be used to connect ground data with air-ground radio networks and it requires aircraft that do not have a CPDLC system to be equipped with this new ATN version.

As the deadline approaches and ATN in Europe becomes an operational reality, there has been a significant increase in requests for test support provision from avionics providers, aircraft operators,
air navigation service providers (ANSPs) and aircraft manufacturers. Until recently, testing has been solely provided at the EUROCONTROL Experimental Centre (EEC) in France.  In response to this growing demand, Airtel ATN and SITA have launched additional commercial test facilities in Dublin and Montreal which will verify the compliance of ATN systems with the relevant ICAO standards.

We chose Airtel ATN as our partner because of the companys technology and expertise in order to ensure a broad coverage of the test scope, said Philip Clinch, SITA Vice President, Aircraft Services.  This new joint service is a key element in the validation of organisations compliant with Link 2000+, the EUROCONTROL programme that is co-ordinating the implementation of CPDLC in Europe.

Airtel ATN provides equipment and services to support airworthiness and air traffic control (ATC) centre certification. The companys context management (CM) and CPDLC test tools have been used
by EUROCONTROL and SITA for many years.

Airtel ATN and SITA will offer test services to airlines, ANSPs, airframe manufacturers and avionics providers with a view to provide testing evidence that may be required in certification cases, said Frank OConnor, CEO Airtel ATN.  SITA plans to provide access to such services through its global AIRCOM network.