Future Air Navigation System

The Future Air Navigation System (FANS) is an avionics system which providesdirect data link communication between the pilot and the Air Traffic Controller. The communications include air traffic control clearances, pilot requests and position reporting. In the FANS-B equipped Airbus A320 family aircraft models, an Air Traffic Services Unit and a VHF Data Radio (VDR3) in the avionics rack and two Data link Control and Display Units (DCDUs) in the cockpit enable the flight crew to read and answer to the Controller Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) messages received from the ground.

Overview of FANS

Air Traffic Control's ability to monitor aircraft was being rapidly outpaced by the growth of flight as a mode of travel. In an effort to improve aviation communication, navigation, surveillance, and air traffic management ICAO standards for a future system were created, this integrated system is known as the Future Air Navigation System (FANS) and allows controllers to play a more passive monitoring role through the use of increased automation and satellite based navigation.

The world's Air Traffic Control system still uses components defined in the 1940s following the 1944 meeting in Chicago which launched the creation of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). This traditional ATC system uses analog radio systems for aircraft Communications, Navigation & Surveillance (CNS).

In 1983, ICAO...
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