Inform the users of Air Navigation Services that the Air Traffic Control Clearance Service is available via “Data Link,” herein referred to as DATA LINK CLEARANCE (DCL).

This AIC (Aeronautical Information Circular) applies to all users of SISCEAB (Brazilian Airspace Control System) having data link capability onboard.

DCL is a system composed of an airborne segment, as a function of ACARS (Airborne Communications Addressing, and Reporting System), and a ground segment, located in the Control Tower, which will enable the automated exchange of ATC clearance messages between the pilot and the air traffic controller in aircraft that have a textual message exchange system via a data link (ACARS).

3.1. The request for air traffic control clearance via data link should be performed by the pilot via the ACARS, and will be available for request, as recommended by ICA 100-37, item 4.4.5. In the request for air traffic clearance via DCL items 6.22.2 and 6.22.3 of ICA 100-37 should be observed.

3.2. In the airborne segment, the pilot must access the ACARS MENU, select the PDC REQUEST function and press SEND REQUEST. The ground system then will send a FSM (Flight System Message) message to inform the pilot that the request is being processed.

3.3. If there are any problems in processing the message, the MFDU (Multi-Function Display Unit) of the aircraft will show a rejection warning and, in this case, the pilot must call the Clearance Delivery Position of the Traffic Control Tower to receive clearance. The reasons for rejection can be: 1) Flight ID used by the company is not in accordance with the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) three-letter code - in this case, the correct code may be entered and the request may be relayed; or 2) the request was transmitted in advance and the Flight Plan is not yet available in the ground system - in this case, the request may be relayed at least fifteen minutes before EOBT.

3.4. In the ground segment, the DCL display of the Control Tower is divided into three portions through which information relating to the processing of each message will be carried over.

3.5. The Flight Plan processed by the respective ACC (Area Control Center) will be shown in the left portion (with a white strip) of the system screen in the control tower and will remain there until the request is received by the respective aircraft.

3.6. When the DCL System of the Control Tower receives the clearance request from the aircraft, the message will go to the central position of the display (with a yellow strip) and the air traffic controller must edit it by entering in the corresponding fields the runway in use, the SID (Standard Instrument Departure) and the first airway/transition that the pilot must follow, as well as any required note, such as the next frequency or any warning in the RMK (NOTES) field.

3.7. After editing the message, the air traffic controller must click the SEND function and the clearance will go to the right portion of the screen (first with the white strip, to indicate that the message is carried through the network, and then with a magenta strip, to indicate that the message was delivered to the recipient).

3.8. In the airborne segment, the pilot will receive clearance on MFDU and, if he agrees with the flight information, he must select the ACCEPT function on the display.

3.9. When the pilot selects the ACCEPT option, the message in the control tower system screen displays a green strip to indicate that the processing was completed and the pilot will proceed to the next flight stage.

3.10. If there is a failure in processing the message or if the pilot does not select the ACCEPT function in the MFDU, the green strip will not appear on the message in the right portion of the controller screen and, in this case, the pilot must call the traffic operational position in order to receive flight clearance.

3.11. The DCL is deployed in Governador André Franco Montoro Airport - Guarulhos/SP, and will be installed at Congonhas-SP, Brasília-DF, Galeão-RJ, Confins-MG, Salvador-BA, Curitiba-PR, Porto Alegre-RS, Recife-PE, Fortaleza-CE, Cuiaba-MT, Belém-PA, Eduardo Gomes-AM, Florianópolis-SC and Campo Grande-MS. The activation of this service in each aerodrome will be informed by NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) and will be part of the Aeronautical Information Publications, according to the Unified Schedule of Publications of the Department of Airspace Control (DECEA).

4.1. The approval of this AIC was published in DECEA Internal Bulletin nº 142, 29 of July, 2014.

4.2. Cases not provided for in this Circular shall be settled by the Head of DECEA’s Operations Subdepartment.

4.3. For any questions or clarification, contact the Coordination and Control Division of DECEA’s Operations Subdepartment by phone: 55 (21) 2101-6271 or e-mail: dcco2@decea.gov.br.

4.4. This AIC republic the AIC A15/14.