LHR ground controllers

[Skipness One Echo]

To my Knowledge, Most Clearance are given by Data Link now right?
Still got a Clearance DEL but some or most Clearances are done by data link right? Same at EGKK as well?

Only if flight is on time and with certain airlines who report PDC ( Pre Departure Clearance ) recieved, the rest are either on a Revert To Voice as the clearance failed to be acknowledged on time or aren't signed up to the system.

The Clearance Delivery is still a busy frequency at both Gatwick and Heathrow.

[Gonzo]

There is no 'signing up' for the procedure. if the aircraft's equipped, then it's up to the crew. Even if they do make use of the DCL, they still have to call on the Delivery frequency when ready to start.

NW3, hopefully we'll get the functionality to send messages with a DCL soon.

[30W]

Gonzo,

There is no 'signing up' for the procedure.

Any idea when that changed? As of a couple of years back NATS required both a copy of the operators procedures and also a 'live test' to be conducted prior to authorising an operators DCL usage.

I was in process of sorting for my company at that time, but it all got dumped internally when a company merger was announced....

[Gonzo]

30W, check your PMs