Definition
A communications device used in certain ground-based aviation telephone or radio links that automatically answers an incoming call after a designated number of rings and can handle two separate call lines or call signals. It allows remote or unattended stations to receive calls without a human operator on the line.
Plain English
A piece of equipment that picks up incoming calls on its own, without anyone having to answer it, and can handle two call lines at once.
Context Anchor
You may see DCAA in FAA acronym and abbreviation lists, or in notices and facility information related to aviation communications equipment.
Why Pilots Care
A pilot is unlikely to operate this equipment directly, but recognizing DCAA helps prevent confusion when reading FAA notices or facility information about communications systems.
Intuition Check
Do not read “call” here as only a pilot’s voice radio call to air traffic control. In this term, it refers more broadly to a communications connection handled by equipment.
Example Sentence 1
The remote outlet was equipped with a DCAA so that incoming calls would be answered even when the station was unmanned.
Example Sentence 2
With the DCAA installed, the crew maintained continuous radio contact without interruption.