Complex procedures became

5.4.3.2 In an ASRS callback interview, the reporter again told the analyst that: ..“he believed the ACARS machine (CPDLC)
gave a clearance which could be accepted or rejected because that is what the options were on the selection menu of the aircraft’s
receiver”.

5.4.3.3 The captain certainly has the authority to reject any clearance that is felt to be unsafe, and concern about fuel burn is a
good reason to reject the descent clearance. So it is interesting to note that the reporter suggests — not once, but twice — that the
labels on the prompts for responses influenced the decision.

5.4.3.4 The example shows how standard message formats, interface labels and transmission delays might distort communication
between the pilot and controller in the data link message exchange. In this case, the crew apparently felt that the controller had
offered them a choice of accepting or rejecting the descent clearance, and the controller may have felt the crew was being
uncooperative — refusing to either climb or descend from their current altitude.

5.4.3.5 Finally, the example illustrates some of the unintended side effects of changing from voice to data link for pilot-controller
communication. One of these conse- quences is increased difficulty in conducting any dialogue or negotiation that requires more
than a simple question- reply exchange.

Note.— Boeing has not adopted the described format in the implementation of CPDLC for the 757/767 series, and a modification
is being developed for the 747-400.

5.4.3.6 Recommendations:

 Training for ATS CPDLC operators should include awareness of the capabilities and limitations of the CPDLC
interfaces on the flight deck of relevant aircraft types; and
 Procedures including the use of voice communications should be established as alternative to the use of CPDLC for
complex dialogues or negotiations.

Conclusion

5.5 The two case studies demonstrate some of the negative side effects of changing from voice to data link for pilot-
controller communication: conducting a dialogue becomes more difficult; the absence of readback oppor- tunities
removes an important error-trapping mechanism; the intent of the communication can be affected by the mechanics of
data link. The importance of the system

interface in data link communication was also demonstrated: message presentation format and function labels played a significant
role in both ASRS incidents.

5.6 Standard phraseology and voice communication protocols are replaced in data link by standardized message sets (often based
on voice phraseology) and new interface conventions. As both examples show, data link messages are not directly equivalent to
voice clearances, and attempts at direct translation cannot guarantee that safeguards evolved over years of radio voice
communication will successfully transfer to data link. Both examples demonstrate that new problems are encountered with data
link communication and different safeguards must be developed.

5.7 Finally, to quote research: “Although the focus of the studies has been on exploring problems encountered with use of FANS-
1 CPDLC, early survey results indicate that pilots find it a great improvement over HF voice for most oceanic communications
with air traffic control. The discussion has offered some preliminary lessons that can be learned from operator experiences with
the system. However, it is not the intent to suggest that CPDLC is inferior to voice for pilot-controller communication.” (An
assessment of flight crew experiences with FANS-1 ATC data link.)

5.8 Recommendation:

• Use of the available confidential reporting mechanisms to describe operator experiences must be encouraged so that the
operational problems encountered can be thoroughly analysed and the system improved. Submission of such reports should not
divert crews from submitting reports to their organizations in support of FANS Interoperability Team efforts to improve the
system as a whole.

References
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Mackintosh, Margaret-Anne, Sandra Lozito, Alison McGann, Elizabeth Logsdon, Melisa Dunbar, Vicki Dulchinos, “Information
transfer in data link communi- cations for ATC clearances”, in Proceedings of the Tenth International Symposium on Aviation
Psychology, R.S. Jensen, A. Weir (Eds.). Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 1999.

5-6 Human Factors guidelines for air traffic management (ATM) systems

Pritchett, Amy R., and R. John Hansman, “Variations in ‘Party Line’ information importance between pilots of different
characteristics,” in Proceedings of the Eighth International Symposium on Aviation Psychology, R.S. Jensen, L.A. Rakovan
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Sarter, Nadine B., “Communication technologies and procedures in support of future ATM operations,” in Proceedings of the
Ninth International Symposium on

Aviation Psychology, R.S. Jensen, L.A. Rakovan (eds.). Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 1997.

Smith, Nancy, John Moses, Stephan Romahn, Peter Polson, John Brown, Melisa Dunbar, Everett Palmer, Sandra Lozito, “An
assessment of flight crew experiences with FANS-1 ATC data link”, in Proceedings of the Tenth International Symposium on
Aviation Psychology, R.S. Jensen, A. Weir (eds.). Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 1999.