Air Transport Avionics Cost Estimation Related to Future Communication Transitions: Coordination Draft

This paper classifies the air transport aircraft fleet into separate classes of aircraft with similar communication architectures. Using this classification, likely avionics equipment changes and costs for aircraft upgrades to VDL-Mode-2, VDL-Mode-3 voice, and VDL-Mode-3 voice and data capabilities are identified. Additionally 8.33 kHz double sideband amplitude modulation (DSB-AM) capabilities and likely transition are considered and cost estimates provided. Assumptions, based on industry information, are used to provide prices for equipment, upgrades, installation services and materials to provide communication upgrades to both existing and forward fit aircraft. This analysis addresses only the airborne equipment associated with upgrading to the above mentioned technologies. Costs and equipage estimates made in this paper will be validated with vendors, airlines and service providers to result in a consistent cost estimation for the FAA. The equipage and cost information is assembled in an MS Excel workbook for easy updating and analysis and is part of this report.