ADS-C enables aircraft to automatically log on and downlink key aircraft intent flight management system information (e.g. the extended projected profile) to the MUAC system, which can be displayed on controllers’ screens.
This leading-edge technology offers enhanced air navigation services to aircraft operators which are equipped with the appropriate technology (ATS B2: CPDLC v2 and ADS-C) and which are registered on the EUROCONTROL log-on list for CPDLC and on the list for ADS-C usage in the MUAC area of responsibility.
ADS-C presents benefits both for air navigation service providers and for aircraft operators.
It increases the efficiency of air navigation services by providing improved flight predictability which leads to more accurate sector traffic load predictions and ultimately enhances operational planning efficiency and brings capacity increases.
ADS-C also offers enhanced safety, for example by automatically checking routes, saving time spent on the voice frequency and reducing mistakes. Also, loadable complex clearances have more clarity, reducing the risk of human errors. Furthermore, ADS-C helps detect early start of turns for large heading changes. Controllers are therefore aware of whether or not an early turn can take an aircraft into an active military area. Medium-term conflict detection could also be fed with ADS-C values.
In addition, ADS-C provides useful information, which has a positive effect on flight efficiency by reducing fuel consumption, emissions and route extension. For example, ADS-C can identify whether a flight can exit a non-active military area before it becomes active, ensuring that the aircraft can fly the shortest routes for as long a period as possible. Thanks to the display of the top of climb, controllers can get a better estimate of climb performance, which can result in earlier direct routings and thereby in fewer miles flown and earlier clearances to the requested level if traffic permits. Finally, thanks to the display of the top of descent and optimal descent profile, controllers can allow aircraft to start the descent later than normal and possibly even fly the optimal descent profile, resulting in a few minutes more at the cruising level, more optimal descent profiles and fewer step descents if the traffic situation allows it.