Information AboutAftn |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT AFTN | |
| aviation terminology | |
| SHOPPER'S DELIGHT | |
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AFTN addresses are 8 characters long and comprise of the 4-letter ICAO station code and 4-letter facility code. ZTZX refers to Control Tower , ZPZX refers to Approach Control Centre and ZQZX refers to Area Control Centre. SITA teletype addresses are 7 characters long. Messages can be given a message priority to ensure best use of the system. SS relates to a Mayday priority, DD an Urgency priority, FF and GG a normal priority and KK a low priority. ;SS :accidents ;GG :important events ;FF :Flight messeges (FPL, DLA, ARR etc.) ;KK :other ant compant messages The AFTN system is backwards compatible with older transmission technology as many member states do not upgrade their AFTN centers fast enough. The format of a message betrays the heavy use of radio teletypes. A typical message would look like: ZCZC DFA05 12032006 DD RCTPZQZX 1209 VTBBZQZX MESSAGE NNNN The ZCZC stands for start of message and is geared towards torn-tape stations where the Z and c characters will punch all five holes on the tapes providing a quick check to the operator that the tape-puncher is working correctly. The NNNN similar is a familiar one hole consecutive sequence which can be quickly identified as end of message by operators. The message routing is easily automated by general purpose computers. Teletype communication with airline operators is sometimes maintained by having a connection to the SITA network which uses a 7 character address. The whole communications system is still rooted in the 'official' nature of radio teletypes. |