System and method for sending and receiving air traffic network messages using different protocols

A system, comprising:

• a first system comprising:
• a first system processor;
• a first system memory coupled to the first management system processor, wherein the first system memory comprises:
• a navigation system;
• a first datalink applications system;
• and
• wherein the first datalink applications system is configured to encode and decode an Air Traffic Control (ATC) message using a first communications protocol;
• a second system, coupled to the first system, comprising:
• a second system processor;
• and
• a second system memory, coupled to the second system processor, comprising:
• at least one router;
• a second datalink applications system;
• a communications protocol control application system;
• wherein the second datalink applications system is configured to encode and decode an ATC message using a second communications protocol;
• wherein the communications protocol control application system is configured to:
• receive a selection of, or select, at least one of:
• an initial communications protocol, and a controller-pilot data link communications (CPDLC) system;
• determine if a second communications protocol was selected;
• and
• if the second communications protocol was selected, trapping at least one of a received ATC message in the first communications protocol and a to be sent ATC message in the first communications protocol;
• wherein the first system is configured to be coupled to at least one input/output device and at least one sensor;
• and
• wherein the second system is configured to be coupled to a communications system and at least one input/output device.

A program product comprising a non-transitory processor-readable medium on which program instructions are embodied, wherein the program instructions are operable to:

• receive a selection of at least one of:
• an initial air traffic control (ATC) message communications protocol and an initial controller-pilot data link communications (CPDLC) system;
• determine if a second communications protocol was selected;
• if the second communications protocol was selected, trap at least one of a received ATC message in a first communications protocol, and a to be sent ATC message in the first communications protocol;
• and
• at least one of send an ATC message in the selected communications protocol and receive an ATC message in the selected communications protocol.