Is ADS-C used in practice?

Question

Both the FAA and the EASA have decided against using ADS-C in the development of NextGen and SESAR, because of cost, scalability and ease of use. But has ADS-C actually been implemented and used in practice anywhere?

Answer 1

ADS-C is used in oceanic environments, for example over the Atlantic and the Pacific.

FL350 to FL390 on the North Atlantic Track System is restricted to ADS-C equipped aircraft. Non ADS-C aircraft have to fly either below or above those levels (crossing through those levels is permitted)

The text below is a part of today's Norht Atantic Track message issued by Shanwick Center (EGGX):

222021 EGGXZOZX

(NAT-2/2 TRACKS FLS 310/390 INCLUSIVE

MAR 23/1130Z TO MAR 23/1900Z

PART TWO OF TWO PARTS-

E MALOT 53/20 53/30 53/40 53/50 RIKAL

EAST LVLS NIL

WEST LVLS 310 320 330 340 350 360 370 380 390

EUR RTS WEST NIL

NAR NIL-

F LIMRI 52/20 52/30 52/40 52/50 TUDEP

EAST LVLS NIL

WEST LVLS 310 320 330 340 350 360 370 380 390

EUR RTS WEST NIL

NAR NIL-

REMARKS.

1. TMI IS 082 AND OPERATORS ARE REMINDED TO INCLUDE THE

TMI NUMBER AS PART OF THE OCEANIC CLEARANCE READ BACK.

2. ADS-C AND CPDLC MANDATED OTS ARE AS FOLLOWS

TRACK A 350 360 370 380 390

TRACK B 350 360 370 380 390

TRACK C 350 360 370 380 390

TRACK D 350 360 370 380 390

TRACK E 350 360 370 380 390

TRACK F 350 360 370 380 390

END OF ADS-C AND CPDLC MANDATED OTS