Communication has evolved with satellite-based technology. On this page, we look at how ground-to-aircraft and aircraft-to-aircraft communications systems are changing.
Common regional virtual network
Work is underway to establish a common regional virtual private network (CRV) in the Asia/Pacific region. This will help improve ground-to-ground communications.
This is an internet protocol-based network and will provide a solution that is more:
- cost effective
- flexible
- advanced.
It will also overcome limitations with the current system of multiple point-to-point connections for the air traffic service message handling system (AMHS).
Performance-based communications and surveillance
In some international airspace for certain separation standards you can now apply:
- required communication performance (RCP) specifications
- required surveillance performance (RSP) specifications.
These are in addition with required navigation performance (RNP) specifications.
RCP 240 and RSP 180 relate to the:
- satellite-based systems controller-pilot datalink communications (CPDLC)
- automatic dependent surveillance–contract (ADS-C).
You may find performance-based communications and surveillance (PBCS) routes implemented on some routes in the North Atlantic and Asia-Pacific regions.
They may apply to Australian airspace in the future, where CPDLC and ADS-C are used.
Aircraft operating in international airspace where PBCS routes exist may need authorisation from either their:
- state of registry
- state of operator.
Part 91 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASR) 1998 and Chapter 11.09 of the Part 91 Manual of Standards (MOS) describe the requirements for:
- aircraft equipment
- documentation
- personnel training.
This will provide detail for declaring your RCP 240 and RSP 180 capability.
For more information, read:
Once you have confirmed the aircraft’s avionics, documentation and personnel training is compliant for PBCS operations, you don’t need further documentation from us. You must also include RCP 240 and RSP 180 descriptors in the flight plan.
Datalink communications
We expect other emerging communications technology to come along, enabling greater use of datalink communications. This is instead of the legacy VHF and HF voice communication systems. For most operations, the primary means of communications will continue to be VHF and HF voice.