Aircraft Data Links

Aircraft data link systems enable digital communication between aircraft and ground stations, carrying various types of operational, navigational, and surveillance data.

Aircraft data links include multiple communication systems that transmit different types of data over various frequency bands and protocols:

VDL2 operates in the VHF aviation band (118-137 MHz) and is widely used in Europe, Asia, and other regions. It carries:

  • ACARS messages - Airline operational communications
  • ADS-C reports - Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Contract position reports
  • CPDLC - Controller-Pilot Data Link Communications
  • ATN/IPS - Aeronautical Telecommunication Network messages

ACARS (Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System)

The original ACARS system operates on dedicated VHF frequencies (primarily 131.550 MHz) and carries airline operational messages, including:

  • Flight plans and route changes
  • Weather reports and updates
  • Engine performance data
  • Maintenance alerts and diagnostics
  • Gate and departure information
  • Fuel reports

HFDL operates on HF bands and provides global coverage, especially over oceanic routes where VHF coverage is unavailable. It carries similar data to VDL2, including:

  • ACARS messages
  • ADS-C position reports
  • CPDLC communications
  • Long-haul flight operational data

Data Collection Endpoints

ACARS

  • Host: feed-acars.adsb.lol
  • Port: 5550
  • Protocol: TCP
  • Host: feed-acars.adsb.lol
  • Port: 5551
  • Protocol: TCP
  • Host: feed-acars.adsb.lol
  • Port: 5552
  • Protocol: TCP

Usage

Send your aircraft data link messages to the appropriate endpoint based on the type of data you’re collecting:

  • Use port 5550 (TCP) to send ACARS messages
  • Use port 5551 (TCP) to send HFDL communications
  • Use port 5552 (TCP) to send VDL2 data streams

Data Format

All endpoints only accept JSON formatted data. Raw message data must be converted to JSON before submission. Common software that can generate JSON output includes:

  • acarsdec with --output-format json for VHF ACARS
  • vdlm2dec with --output-format json for VDL2
  • dumphfdl with --output-format json for HFDL
  • dumpvdl2 with --output-format json for VDL2

Each message should be sent as a separate JSON object, one per line (JSONL format) or as individual JSON objects.

What Data Contains

The collected messages typically include:

  • ACARS operational messages - Flight plans, weather, maintenance alerts
  • ADS-C position reports - Aircraft location and surveillance data
  • CPDLC communications - Air traffic control datalink messages
  • Aircraft registration and flight identifiers
  • Message timestamps and routing information
  • Navigation and performance data

Data License

All collected data will be published under the CC0 (Creative Commons Zero) license on GitHub releases, making it freely available for public use without restrictions.

Privacy

Privacy policy applies.

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