D-ATIS and mobile Pre-Departure-Clearance via EFB in Europe

Bastian Zimmermann • 14 October 2019

in community General Aviation

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Hi everybody,

I was wondering if someone could shed some light on the possibility of receiving D-ATIS and a Pre-Departure-Clearance via an EFB (ForeFlight, Garmin Pilot) in Europe.

Reason for me asking is that ForeFlight is offering this in the US but, after I contacted them, told me that it is impossible to implement this in Europe since it's not technologically possible

This is only in their opinion though and they are not 100% sure which is why I'm asking this question.

Just for your information, in the US ForeFlight is currently receiving the D-ATIS and PDC from their partner Satcom Direct and then sending it to the app.

We drilled down a bit and it seems like D-ATIS might be possible but PDC not because, unlike in the US, the clearance is directly send to the aircraft via, for example, ACARS and not distributed to a server where it could be read from, first.

So my questions are:

Does anyone definitifely know if the implementation of D-ATIS in an EFB like ForeFlight or Garmin Pilot is possible form a technical point fo view?
Is there a way to receive a mobile PDC via an EFB or is there a something like this planned (also in regard to the GA roadmap?

Thanks!

Comments (7)

Alan Burrill • 4 years ago

If you check the UK AIP you will find a number of the International Airports in the UK offers electronic PDC and also D-ATIS services. The former is via ACARS but someone would need to research the D-ATIS Source, ARINC and SITA Services come to mind but a while since I was involved. These are provided by NATS in the UK so someone would need to contact the commercial arm, NATS Services Ltd for further information.

Bastian Zimmermann • 4 years ago

Yes, I'm aware of PDC via ACARS but that can't be "intercepted" in order to distribute to an app which is why I'm asking if there is such a thing.

Thanks for the info regarding D-ATIS, I'll have a look at the mentioned companies!

Alan Burrill • 4 years ago

There are certain issues around ensuring that a pdc is delivered to the correct aircraft and not elsewhere that I think will be the main problem. As PDC are used in the UK to reduce r/t traffic then that is the challenge. D-ATIs is a broadcast so not such a big issue. There are some flight service companies, EuroFPL and Rocket route come to mind, that are doing slot messages back to mobile apps which might be worth exploring. They are based on returning data back to person logged on and filing an FPL.

Bastian Zimmermann • 4 years ago

Yes, that is true and I definitely know that it is possible in general (The FAA has implemented it), I just don't know whether it would be possible here due to the difference in delivering the PDC. Maybe [~15] can comment on that since that would be a part of the digitalisation aspect of the Roadmap?

Ok, seems like the best way to get more information about D-ATIS is then to contact the respective companies, thanks for the info!

Boudewijn Deuss • 4 years ago

Thanks for relating this topic to the GA Roadmap objective, linked to getting digital info into the cocpit. Although I'm the project manager of the GA Roadmap, I'm not the expert in this field. However, my colleagues who are, will follow this discussion and see how this info can be made available. Or better, how this would not be obstructed through our regulations.

Bastian Zimmermann • 4 years ago

Thank you for the reply. Yes, I guess that, down the road, it would also be beneficial to talk to Eurocontrol or whoever is distributing the PDC once the legal framework is clarified.
Please feel free to send me a message should your colleagues need more information. I'm also in contact with ForeFlight EFB so can liaise there as well.

Bastian Zimmermann • 4 years ago

Hi, [~15] I just wanted to ask if there have been any developments in this regard?

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