Datalink is an umbrella term for an aircraft's capability to send and receive text messages. There are numerous acronyms due to the advancement of equipment over the years and the naming conventions of aircraft avionics manufacturers, but the two primary streams of data are either ACARS or CPDLC. The aircraft hardware is the same; the difference is the network you transmit on and who you talk to…

Enroute CPDLC is now live for all of US domestic airspace. L3 Harris has a CPDLC portal that is your go-to source for applying and learning about the new procedures.

In the ADS-B era, any ADS-B equipped aircraft is trackable. There are several steps you can take to increase your privacy via FAA programs: CARES, LADD, and PIA. None of the programs offers an entirely anonymous solution. To travel compeley incognito, don't own an ADS-B transponder.