Hawker 4000 operators now have the option to install a fully integrated Future Air Navigation System (FANS) and Protected Mode Controller Pilot Data Link Communication (PM-CPDLC). This follows Textron Aviation's recent acquisition of a supplemental type certificate for these upgrades.
Although the Hawker 4000 has been out of production since 2013, Textron Aviation continues to support this super-midsize jet. The FANS 1/A+ and PM-CPDLC program aims to streamline communication between pilots and air traffic control by utilizing the latest datalink services available in North America and Europe.
Textron Aviation emphasized several benefits of this upgrade. It allows for quick and precise loading of complex instructions into the flight management system with minimal effort. The FANS 1/A+ and PM-CPDLC program is designed to accommodate future datacom capabilities, trajectory-based operations, better rerouting options during severe weather or congestion, and prioritized departure clearances. Textron compares PM-CPDLC to SMS text messaging but specifies that it uses prescribed messages for requesting and receiving clearances.