Controller Evaluations of ATC Data Link Services

The central thrust of Data Link research at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Technical Center has been a series of manned simulation studies conducted to refine and test candidate designs for air traffic control (ATC) services, and to examine operational and human factors issues associated with the use of digitally transmitted messages to maintain the safe and efficient control of aircraft traffic in the National Airspace System. This paper describes some of the design requirements and issues that have emerged from air traffic controller evaluations of services developed for terminal and en route ATC environments. It also summarizes the results of preliminary investigations of the impact of Data Link on voice radio frequency congestion and of the effects of transaction delays on the usability of the system. Finally, the paper discusses a group of focal human factors issues that will be addressed in future controller studies planned by the FAA Technical Center.