Definition
The exchange of digital information between aircraft and ground systems (including air traffic control) over a data link, used in place of, or alongside, voice radio communications. In the MLS context, data communications carry information such as system identification, runway data, and approach guidance parameters from the ground station to the aircraft.
Plain English
Sending information between the aircraft and the ground as digital data instead of, or in addition to, talking over the radio.
Context Anchor
Seen in discussions of MLS equipment and what information the ground station can send to the aircraft during an approach.
Derivation
Data comes from a Latin word meaning “things given.” Communication comes from a Latin word meaning “to share” or “make common.” Together, the term points to information being shared from one system to another.
Why Pilots Care
Provides interference-free, automatic delivery of accurate approach data directly to aircraft systems.
Intuition Check
Do not read “communications” here as only a pilot talking on the radio. In this context, it means equipment automatically sending information that another piece of equipment can receive and use.
Example Sentence 1
The MLS ground station uses data communications to transmit runway identification and approach parameters to the aircraft's receiver.
Example Sentence 2
During an MLS approach the aircraft receives continuous status updates through data communications.