The Santa Maria FIR (LPPO) has initiated a trial for the initial voice contact to Santa Maria Radio for flights using CPDLC. The trial of the proposed change is expected to reduce the crew workload, as the responsibility to establish the initial voice contact on HF is assigned to the radio operator. It will also allow the radio operator to better manage the air-ground communications sequence and priority, avoiding simultaneous calls from distinct aircraft. The trial is scheduled to run through 30 November 2025. For complete details, refer to the Portugal AIC A 003/2025.
Trial overview:
At any time, if the crew chooses to apply the current procedures instead of those proposed for the trial period, the radio operator will respond accordingly
Upon entering Santa Maria FIR, if LPPO is established as CDA and CPDLC communications are operational, the flight crew shall:
- Not initiate a voice contact on HF and, if applicable, tune the onboard radio(s) according to the last information received from the previous Radio Station or in the ACARS FSM message received in reply to an RCL
- Wait to receive the Santa Maria RADIO HF frequency assignment via CPDLC (either an uplink to monitor or to contact on HF primary and secondary frequencies)
- If applicable, update the frequencies, tune the onboard radio(s) accordingly
- Expect to receive a SELCAL call from Santa Maria RADIO
6 minutes after crossing the FIR boundary, if no uplink HF frequency assignment message is received nor a SELCAL call, advise ATC via CPDLC
After receiving the frequency assignment via CPDLC, if the SELCAL is not received within 6 minutes, try to establish voice contact (HF/VHF/SATVOICE) or advise ATC via CPDLC.