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CPDLC Procedures – Manila FIR

Overview

Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Contract / Controller–Pilot Data Link Communications (ADS-C/CPDLC) services are available to FANS 1/A capable aircraft operating on designated air routes within the Manila FIR.

Sector Routes Primary Comms Secondary Comms
East A582, A590, G578, M501, G467 CPDLC VHF
North A583 VHF CPDLC
South P515, R337, A339, B462, B473 VHF —
West N892, L625, L628, M772, M765, W17 VHF —

In airspace where both VHF voice and CPDLC are available, flight crew should use VHF as the primary means of communication.

Warning

There are areas within the FIR where Controllers and Pilots will not hear each other due to radio wave propagation

Log On Procedures

When to Log On

An AFN (ATS Facilities Notification) log on is required when:

  • The aircraft is preparing for departure
  • The aircraft will enter a data link area from a non-data link area
  • Instructed by ATC (e.g. following a failed data link transfer)

Manila ACC Log On Details

  • Log On Address: RPHI,RPHX,RPHC,RPHN or RPHS
  • Log on prior to departing RPLL, or 10–25 minutes before entering Manila FIR

Log On Requirements

  • Ensure all flight-specific information in the aircraft system matches the filed flight plan exactly to avoid automatic rejection.
  • Pilots unable to establish a data link connection shall inform ATC on VHF.

ADS-C / CPDLC Operating Procedures

  • Aircraft with an ADS-C/CPDLC connection to RPHI shall send an ADS position report upon entering the FIR boundary.
  • Response medium must match the initiating medium: respond to CPDLC via CPDLC; respond to voice via voice.
  • If there is any doubt about message intent or ambiguity, seek clarification via voice communication.
  • Read back for ATC clearances/instructions issued via CPDLC is not required.

Message Handling

Response Meaning
WILCO Pilot will fully comply with the clearance/instruction
UNABLE Negative response to a clearance request (applies to all elements of a multi-element request)
AFFIRM Appropriate response to an uplinked negotiation request (e.g. CAN YOU ACCEPT [altitude] AT [time])

ROGER and AFFIRM are not appropriate responses to a clearance request. The controller must approve by sending an uplink containing the actual clearance.

Message Content Rules

  • A CPDLC downlink message should not contain more than one clearance request to avoid ambiguity.
  • Clearances and clearance requests shall use pre-formatted message elements.
  • Free text shall only be used when no appropriate pre-formatted element exists; standard ICAO phraseology and abbreviations apply.

CPDLC Connection Transfer and End of Service

Transfer from RPHI to Next Data Authority

  1. RPHI sends an uplink — CONTACT [unit name] [frequency] — 10 minutes before the FIR boundary.
  2. After receiving WILCO from the pilot, RPHI sends CPDLC TERMINATED.
  3. Avionics downlinks a DISCONNECT message.

CPDLC Connection Failure

If a CPDLC dialogue is interrupted, the controller shall recommence the entire dialogue by voice.

Phraseology:

Speaker Message
Controller / Radio Operator CPDLC FAILURE. DISCONNECT CPDLC THEN LOG ON TO [facility designator]
Flight Crew ROGER

Phraseology to all affected aircraft:

Speaker Message
Controller / Radio Operator ALL STATIONS CPDLC FAILURE. DISCONNECT CPDLC. CONTINUE ON VOICE
Flight Crew ROGER

Pre-shutdown CPDLC message / voice phraseology:

Speaker Message
Controller / Radio Operator CPDLC WILL BE SHUT DOWN. DISCONNECT CPDLC. CONTINUE ON VOICE.
Flight Crew ROGER

The controller may also provide the voice frequency operationally.

Speaker Message
Controller / Radio Operator [ALL STATIONS] RESUME NORMAL CPDLC and ADS-C OPERATIONS.
Flight Crew LOG ON [facility designation]