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Airlines

U.S. air communications comes into this century; FedEx to test new system

Wayne Risher

Skift Take

The FAA's delayed and bloated NexGen platform is finally taking off -- a full decade after transoceanic flights started using similar systems.

The Federal Aviation Administration has chosen FedEx Express and Memphis International Airport as a proving ground for a text message-based enhancement of flight management computers. FedEx officials said about 70 aircraft, Boeing 777s and MD-11s, are equipped to participate in trials of the FAA's data communications technology. Aviation International News online reported Monday that the first airline trial would begin Nov. 12 in Memphis. Air traffic controllers and flight crews will use a data communications system for pre-departure and revised departure clearances

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