Plain English Meaning

These are the rulebooks that say how text-message communication between pilots and air traffic controllers must work. One version is American (DO-280B), the other European (ED-110B), and they match each other so the same equipment works on both sides of the Atlantic.

Full Definition

DO-280B and ED-110B are paired industry standards that define the technical requirements for the air-ground data link used in Controller-Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC). DO-280B is published by RTCA in the United States and ED-110B is the matching document published by EUROCAE in Europe; the two are written to be functionally equivalent so that CPDLC-equipped aircraft and ground systems work together across regions.