GEN 3.4  Communication services

3.4.1  RESPONSIBLE SERVICE

3.4.1.1 The responsible authority for the provision of telecommunication services and operation of navigation facilities provided by ANS in the Czech Republic is the Air Navigation Services of the CR.

Postal address:

Post:

Air Navigation Services of the CR
Navigační 787
252 61 Jenec

Telephone:  +420 220 374 040

Telefax:  +420 220 374 255 (ANS C.R.)

AFS:  LKPRYKYX

Telex:  AIRCON PRAHA

3.4.1.2 At the Airport Čáslav the responsible authority for the provision of telecommunication services and operation of navigation facilities is the military aerodrome administration.

Postal address:

Post:

VÚ 7214
LRNS
285 76 Chotusice

Telephone:  +420 973 376 961

Telefax:  +420 973 376 993

AFS:  LKCVZPZX

Operational hours of service: H24

3.4.1.3 At the Airport Kbely the responsible authority for the provision of telecommunication services and operation of navigation facilities is the military aerodrome administration.

Postal address:

Post:

VÚ 8407
Ul. Mladoboleslavská
197 06 Praha 9 - Kbely

Telephone:  + 420 973 206 946

Telephone:  +420 973 207 005

Telefax:  +420 973 207 543

AFS:  LKKBZTZX

Operational hours of service: H24

3.4.1.4 At the airport České Budějovice the responsible authority for the provision of telecommunication services and operation of navigation facilities is Jihočeské letiště České Budějovice a.s..

Postal address:

Post:

Jihočeské letiště České Budějovice a.s.
U Zimního stadionu 1952/2
370 01 České Budějovice

Telephone:  +420 386 325 339

Telephone:  +420 725 036 721

Telefax:  +420 387 201 014

AFS:  LKCSZTZX

Operational hours of service:

MON - SUN 0700 - 1600 (0600 - 1500), otherwise O/R 24 HR in advance.

3.4.1.5 At the airport Kunovice the responsible authority for the provision of telecommunication services and operation of navigation facilities is Aircraft Industries, a.s..

Postal address:

Post:

Aircraft Industries, a.s.
Na Záhonech 1177
686 04 Kunovice

Telephone:  +420 572 817 640

Telefax:  +420 572 817 639 (at dislocated office)

AFS:  LKKUYDYX

Operational hours of service:

MON-FRI 0700-1500 (0600-1400)

3.4.1.6 At the airport Pardubice the responsible authority for the provision of telecommunication services and operation of navigation facilities for East Bohemian Airport Ltd. is the Military AD Administration.

Postal address:

Post:

VÚ 2436
LRNS
530 01 Pardubice

Telephone:  +420 973 242 563

Telephone:  +420 973 242 210

Telephone:  +420 973 242 111

Telefax:  +420 973 242 191

AFS:  LKPDZPZX

Operational hours of service: H24

3.4.1.7 At the Airport Náměšť the responsible authority for the provision of telecommunication services and operation of navigation facilities is the military aerodrome administration.

Postal address:

Post:

VÚ 2427
LRNS
675 71 Sedlec, Vícenice u Náměště nad Oslavou

Telephone:  +420 973 438 170

Telephone:  +420 973 438 190

Telefax:  +420 973 438 438

AFS:  LKNAZPZX

Operational hours of service: H24

3.4.1.8 At the airport PRAHA/Vodochody the responsible authority for the provision of telecommunication services and operation of navigation facilities is ATM systems of AERO Vodochody AEROSPACE a.s..

Postal address:

Post:

AERO Vodochody AEROSPACE a.s.
U Letištì 374
250 70 Odolena Voda, Dolinek

Telephone:  + 420 255 762 604

AFS:  LKVOZPZX

AFS:  LKVOZTZX

HX - No specific working hours.

3.4.1.9 Communication services are provided on principles of the following ICAO documents:

  • Annex 10 - Aeronautical Telecommunications

  • Doc 7030 - Regional Supplementary Procedures

  • Doc 7910 - Location Indicators

  • Doc 8400 - Procedures for Air Navigation Services - ICAO Abbreviations and Codes

  • Doc 8585 - Designators for Aircraft Operating Agencies, Aeronautical Authorities and Services

3.4.2  AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY

3.4.2.1 Communication services are provided in specified areas and at designated aerodromes within the entire FIR Praha. Air Navigation Services of the CR - Air Navigation Services Planning and Development Division is responsible for the arrangement of communication services as well as for the application of regulations covering design and installations of air-ground communication and navigation aids. Operation of communication services is provided by Air Navigation Services of the CR - Operations Division / ATM Systems Section. In case of aerodromes, with the exception of PRAHA/Ruzyně, by Air Navigation Services Centre of relevant aerodrome. Inquiries, suggestions or complaints regarding any telecommunication service should be addressed to Air Navigation Services Planning and Development Division or local operator of services, i.e. ATM System Section / Air Navigation Services Centre.

3.4.3  TYPES OF SERVICE

3.4.3.1  Radio navigation services

The following types of radio aids to air navigation are available on the Czech territory:

  1. MF Non-directional Radio Beacon (NDB)

  2. VHF Omnidirectional Radio Range (VOR)

  3. En-route Surveillance Radar (RSR)

  4. Surveillance Radar Element (SRE)

  5. VHF Direction-finding Station (VDF)

  6. Precision Approach Radar System (SRE/PAR)

  7. Precision Approach Radar (PAR)

  8. Instrument Landing System (ILS)

  9. Locator (L)

  10. VHF En-route marker Beacon 75 MHz (MKR)

  11. UHF Distance Measuring Equipment (DME)

Direction-finding stations have authority to refuse to give bearings or headings to steer, when conditions are unsatisfactory or when bearings do not fall within the calibrated limits of the station, stating the reason at the time of refusal.

3.4.3.2  Mobile/fixed service
3.4.3.2.1 Mobile service

The aeronautical stations maintain a continuous watch on their stated frequencies during the published hours of service unless notified otherwise.

3.4.3.2.1.1 An aircraft usually communicates with the ground control radio station serving to the unit responsible for the provision of services in the airspace in which the aircraft is flying. Except in an emergency an aircraft shall maintain a continuous watch on the appropriate frequency of the control station and shall not abandon watch without informing the control radio station.
3.4.3.2.1.2 Uncontrolled low level traffic may register difficulties in establishing and maintaining radio communication with appropriate ATS units, caused by the orographic specifics.
3.4.3.2.2  Fixed service

The messages to be transmitted over the Aeronautical Fixed Service (AFS) are accepted only if:

  1. they satisfy the requirements of ICAO Annex 10, Vol. II, Chapter 3, 3.3;

  2. they are prepared in the form specified in ICAO Annex 10.

3.4.3.3  Broadcasting service

Sub-area meteorological broadcasts (VOLMET) are available for the use of aircraft in flight. Full details are given in subsection GEN 3.5.

3.4.3.3.1  Languages used: English.
3.4.3.4  Where detailed information can be obtained

Details of the various facilities available for the en-route traffic can be found in Part 2, ENR 4.

Details of the facilities available at the individual aerodromes can be found in the relevant sections of Part 3 (AD). In cases where a facility is serving both the en-route traffic and the aerodromes, details are given in the relevant sections of Part 2 (ENR) and Part 3 (AD).

3.4.4  REQUIREMENTS AND CONDITIONS

Reserved

3.4.5  Controller-Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC)

3.4.5.1  General
3.4.5.1.1  CPDLC services are available for aircraft operating within the airspace of the FIR Praha between FL195 and FL660.
3.4.5.1.2 The following CPDLC services are provided in this airspace:

  1. DLIC (data link initiation capability)

  2. ACL (ATC clearances and instructions)

  3. ACM (ATC communications management)

  4. AMC (ATC microphone check)

3.4.5.1.3 In FIR Praha between FL195 and FL660 it is mandatory for flight crews of all CPDLC ATN B1 equipped aircraft to logon to data link adress "LKAA".
3.4.5.2  Flight Plan
3.4.5.2.1 Pilots of ATN B1 equipped aircraft shall file in their flight plan in Item 10 equipment J1 and in Item 18 aircraft 24-bit address (CODE / hexadecimal).
3.4.5.2.2 Operators conducting flights wholly or partly in the Single European Sky airspace where ATN B1 CPDLC is required, but for which Commission Regulation (EC) 29/2009 is not applicable in accordance with Article 3 (3), or which aircraft types/models are exempted by Commission Implementing Decision 2019/2012, should include the letter “Z” in item 10 and the indicator “DAT/CPDLCX” in item 18 of each flight plan.

Note: Operators which voluntarily equip their aircraft in compliance with Commission Regulation (EC) 29/2009 and intend to use the CPDLC capability do not need indicate in their flight plan the status as exempted.

3.4.5.3   CPDLC Use
3.4.5.3.1 In the area of responsibility of Praha ACC, voice communication and radiotelephony instructions have priority over CPDLC instructions at all times.

The clearance shall not be executed until the WILCO message has been sent. If uncertainty arises regarding a data link message, voice communication shall always be used for clarification.

If the controller is asking explicitly for a voice read back of a clearance issued via CPDLC the following phrase should be used by the pilot:

Example: "CALL SIGN - CONFIRMING CPDLC CLIMB FL 370".

 

3.4.5.4  DLIC Log-on
3.4.5.4.1 The Ground facility designator for FIR Praha is LKAA.

Log-on should be initiated 15 minutes prior to entry into FIR Praha. For aircraft departing from LKPR aerodrome the log-on can be initiated when the aircraft is on the ground.

Irrespective of the number of sectors crossed during flight, only one log-on per flight is required within FIR Praha.

3.4.5.5   CPDLC Services
3.4.5.5.1  ATC Clearances and Instructions (ACL)

Pilots may receive the uplink messages described via data link. Pilots may request changes to flight levels (ascent or descent) via data link or clearance direct to a point on their route.

3.4.5.5.2  ATC Communication Management (ACM)

The pilot response to an ATC instruction to change frequency shall be WILCO. If the pilot is unable to comply with this data link instruction, he shall revert to voice communication to inform ATC.

3.4.5.6  Message Restrictions
3.4.5.6.1 Pilots shall not use free-format free-text messages when communicating with Praha ACC via CPDLC. Use of such free-text messages will result in an error response.
3.4.5.6.2  Praha APP supports only UM117, UM120 and DM0 messages (CONTACT / MONITOR / WILCO). All other DM messages addressed to Praha APP are rejected.
3.4.5.7  Network ATN

Basis for CPDLC within Praha ACC is ATN B1/FANS B+. Data communication via FANS 1A is not supported.

3.4.5.8  Log-off

Log off is automatic on exiting Praha ACC airspace. No pilot action is then required.

3.4.5.9   CPDLC Failure

In the case of a CPDLC failure, CPDLC clearances that have not yet been confirmed shall be repeated over radiotelephony and/or confirmed.

3.4.5.10   CPDLC Messages

The controller or pilot shall construct CPDLC messages using the defined message set. The following uplink clearances and instructions may be expected by pilots using CPDLC:

3.4.5.10.1  ATC Uplink Clearances and Instructions used by Praha ACC / (*also Praha APP)

  1. UNABLE / STANDBY / ROGER

  2. CLEARED TO (position) VIA (route clearance)

  3. CLEARED (route clearance)

  4. CONTACT (unit name) (frequency)*

  5. MONITOR (unit name) (frequency)*

  6. MAINTAIN (level)

  7. CLIMB / DESCENT TO (level)

  8. CLIMB / DESCENT AT (vertical rate) MINIMUM / MAXIMUM

  9. WHEN CAN YOU ACCEPT (level)

  10. TURN (direction) HEADING (degrees)

  11. CONTINUE PRESENT HEADING

  12. FLY HEADING (degrees)

  13. TURN (direction) (degrees)

  14. PROCEED DIRECT TO (position)

  15. RESUME OWN NAVIGATION

  16. MAINTAIN (speed)

  17. MAINTAIN PRESENT SPEED

  18. MAINTAIN (speed) OR LESS / GREATER

  19. RESUME NORMAL SPEED

  20. NO SPEED RESTRICTION

  21. SQUAWK (code)

  22. SQUAWK IDENT

  23. CHECK STUCK MICROPHONE (free text)

3.4.5.10.2  The following request and messages may be sent by pilot using CPDLC with Praha ACC / (*also Praha APP)

  1. WILCO* / UNABLE / STANDBY / ROGER

  2. MONITORING (unit name) (frequency)

  3. REQUEST DIRECT TO (position)

  4. REQUEST CLIMB / DESCENT TO (level)

  5. REQUEST (level)

  6. REQUEST (speed)

  7. DUE TO WEATHER / DUE TO AIRCRAFT PERFORMANCE

  8. WE CAN ACCEPT (level) AT (time)

  9. WE CANNOT ACCEPT (level)

  10. MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY

  11. PAN PAN PAN

  12. SQUAWKING 7500