How do I Log On to FAA Data Comm?

If your aircraft is capable and enabled for FAA Data Comm, you will have an ATC Datalink or CPDLC option on the Home screen of your Garmin avionics. Depending on the airframe, this will either say ATC Datalink or CPDLC.  Before logging on to CPDLC, an ICAO flight plan must have been filed for the system to reference and the information entered into the Log-on display must match the filed flight plan.

Logging on to FAA Data Comm:

1. Once in the ATC Datalink page, type KUSA into the ATC Facility Lookup field and press Enter.  Regardless of what tower or center the crew will be in communication with, the logon will always be done with KUSA.
   • 
2. Enter the Flight ID.  If there is not a Flight ID then enter the aircraft tail number.
   • 
   • 
3. If a flight plan has already been entered into the system then the "Destination Airport" field will auto populate.  Otherwise, enter your Destination Airport.  It is recommended to already have the flight plan entered (either on the flight plan page or by loading from the ACARS services page) as it will then auto populate the "Destination Airport" field.
   • 
   • 
4. If there are multiple flights in a day between the same departure and destination airports then a departure time is required.  Otherwise this field can be left blank.
   • 
   • 
   • 
5. Press Logon and verify you are connected.  The green line between the airplane and the ground station icon indicates the aircraft is communicating with the station but is not yet on the network.  A dashed line between the ground station and ATC indicates that a request has been sent.  Finally, the solid line and the info under "Current Facility" indicates that ATC has accepted the sign on and the aircraft is on the network.
   • 
   • 

Additional Logon Information:

• Logon is possible up to 4 hours prior to proposed departure time.

• At DCL enabled airports, logon at least 30 minutes prior to filed departure time in order to receive DCL.

• Note that the ADS-C tab will not be enabled if you have FAA Data Comm only.