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Airline pilots and air traffic control in the US are set to switch to a text messaging system to communicate because it’s faster and more efficient than radio.
The Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) has said the pilots and controllers are on schedule to make the switch at some of the country’s busiest airports by the end of the year. According to the Associated Press, radio communications will still be used for some exchanges including clearance for take-off and landing, as well as other scenarios where time is crucial.
But when longer and more detailed instructions are being relayed, a text message-style system between control towers and the cockpit display are being put in place.
The FAA explained that under the current system using radio communication, each word of the instructions must be spelt out using the ‘radio alphabet – where ‘ABC’ is ‘Alpha Bravo Charlie’. Pilots have to write down instructions and then read them back to air traffic control, also spelling them out, to ensure no mistakes have been made.
Instead, text messages will now be sent via a new system called Data Comm to the display in the cockpit, which pilots can then read and accept the instructions with a single button press.
The FAA’s Jim Eck said: “Data Comm will allow passengers to get off the tarmac, into the air and to their destinations more quickly.
“Airlines will be able to stay on schedule and packages will be delivered on time.”
So far, eight passenger airlines in the US have signed up to the new system, with one of them – Delta – estimating the new system shaves one minute off the time it takes a plane to taxi for take-off.
