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Times News Bureau | 20 Jun, 2012 Pre-departure clearance to aircraft by Air
Traffic Control (ATC) in India is all set for a major technology upgradation as
the Airports Authority of India (AAI) at Mumbai Airport has begun trial
operations of data link communication.The new system will eventually replace
the present system of pre-departure clearances being given using voice
communication and will eliminate possibility of human error thus enhancing
safety and efficiency of operations, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said in a
statement.The trial operation was launched by Civil Aviation Minister Ajit
Singh during his visit to Mumbai June 18.In addition to Mumbai, such data link
departure clearance (DLC) systems are being deployed at Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai,
Bangalore and Hyderabad International Airports.Pre-departure clearance is an
authorization issued by Air Traffic Control to the pilot regarding the runway
to be used, route to be flown from departure to destination and the cruising
level that the aircraft is expected to maintain.At present, air traffic
controllers, on request from the pilot of an aircraft, issue pre-departure
clearance through voice communication using very high frequency radio from
tower.The pilots are expected to read back the entire clearance to confirm
correct receipt of the same, again through voice communication.Such a procedure
using voice may lead to potential misunderstanding between the pilot and the
controller, the ministry said.It also results in loss of time for the pilot waiting
for his turn to get the clearance as it is not possible for more than one pilot
to talk to the controller at a time, it added.According to the ministry, these
limitations can be addressed by using data link communication instead of
voice.In the case of issue of pre-departure clearances using data link, the
pilot requests the clearance using the flight management computer in the
cockpit.
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