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ACARS Information

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Links to ACARS sites

ACARS = (A)ircraft (C)ommunications (A)ddressing and (R)eporting (S)ystem

A digital data system using the aircrafts VHF radio to communicate with operators using data bursts. Communication from Air to Ground (Downlinks) and Ground to Air (Uplinks) transferring all types of information to and from the aircraft. Usage includes information such as departure times, position reports, reports to maintenance, weather, passenger problems etc etc.

A standard data burst will contain the Aircraft registration, message label, flight ID and message content.

Here is an mp3 of a recorded ACARS data burst from Melbourne.

acars.mp3 (45KB)

Here is a sample message that would have come from that data burst. (contains weather info)

ACARS mode: 2  Aircraft reg: .VH-XMO [BAE10 BIZ]
Message label: C1  Block id: U  Msg. no: .HDQ
Flight id: OXQF 0
Message content:-
41405OX
AGM
AN VH-XMO/GL MEL1
-          ACTUAL
--- METAR  ISSUED 041359 LAUNCESTON
METAR YMLT 041400Z AUTO 33004KT
9999NDV // NCD 09/04 Q1011
     RMK RF00.0/000.0

--- END REPORT ---

The frequencies for ACARS in Australia and Pacific region is 131.550 MHz modulation is in AM

World Designated ACARS Frequencies

Some ACARS Links

Wiki on ACARS

A lot of ACARS Software mostly freeware some shareware

Airnav Systems ACARS Software $$ if you want the best -

Yahoo ACARS groups

acarsonline    - A place to chat about ACARS

wacarsforum  - This group is to give anyone who is interested in ACARS

ausacars       - ACARS in Australia

acarsd           - This group is the open discussion group for the acarsd - Free ACARS Decoder for Linux and Windows