ACARS course in commercial aviation
Online course of 300 hours in ACARS in commercial aviation, structured in 6 modules covering ACARS architecture, ARINC 618/620 message formats, airline operational applications, real-time maintenance data and the move to IP, with an assigned technical tutor.
ACARS course in commercial aviation — studying from the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom has one of the world's most established aerospace sectors, anchored by clusters in Bristol, Filton, Derby, Hampshire and Scotland's Glasgow corridor. Major manufacturers and suppliers such as Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems, Airbus UK and GKN Aerospace drive demand for engineers in design, propulsion, structures and systems integration. Urban air mobility, electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, and commercial drones are emerging alongside, supported by government programmes and test corridors. Space engineering is growing through launch and satellite activity around the UK spaceports and Harwell. Graduates with aerospace expertise find roles across manufacturing, certification and research.
Fees for the United Kingdom: £373 (Pound sterling), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in the United Kingdom
Typical roles
Questions from the United Kingdom
Which professional bodies in the UK recognise aerospace engineering qualifications, and does SEIUM's qualification give me chartered status?
In the UK, the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) is the main professional body for aerospace engineers and can award Chartered Engineer status through the Engineering Council. SEIUM's qualifications are private and are not accredited by the Engineering Council or RAeS, so they do not confer chartered status on their own. Recognition is decided by employers and the relevant body, so check directly with RAeS whether your study and experience will count towards registration.
Will a private online aerospace qualification help me find work with UK aerospace or drone employers?
UK aerospace, drone and space employers, including many working on civil aviation, defence and space projects, generally judge candidates on demonstrated skills, portfolio work and experience. A private qualification may support your application, but its value depends on each employer's own assessment. It is worth asking prospective employers how they view such qualifications before you enrol.
Can I study this programme alongside a full-time job in the UK, and what language level is needed?
Yes, programmes are delivered fully online, so you can study from home without a student visa, wherever you are based. Workload varies by programme length, and you will have an assigned technical tutor for support. Teaching is in English, so you should be comfortable reading and writing technical English. Check the programme schedule and time commitment against your working hours before enrolling.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Understand the architecture and transmission media of ACARS.
Interpret the message formats defined in ARINC 618 and ARINC 620.
Design operational messages for dispatch and flight operations.
Make use of maintenance data transmitted in real time.
Assess the security and costs of air-ground messaging.
Analyse the evolution towards IP connectivity.
Develop a messaging project for an air operator.
Who it's for
- Airline communications engineers looking to deepen their knowledge of ACARS.
- Avionics engineers working with datalink and CMU equipment.
- Operations control centre analysts who rely on air-ground messaging.
- Predictive maintenance engineers using real-time aircraft data.
- Aeronautical messaging systems specialists.
- Fleet support technicians.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to join an airline.
What you'll work with
- ARINC 618 (air-ground character-oriented protocol)
- ARINC 620 (datalink ground system standard)
- ARINC 758 (communications management unit)
- ARINC 633 (AOC air-ground data exchange)
- ARINC 631 (VDL Mode 2 implementation)
- ARINC 622 (ATS datalink over ACARS)
- ARINC 823 (ACARS Message Security)
- ICAO Annex 10, Volume III (aeronautical communication systems)
- acarsdec
- dumpvdl2
- Wireshark
- SITA AIRCOM Server
- libacars
6 modules
1.1Origin and evolution of message addressing1.2ACARS air-ground architecture1.3Communications Management Unit (CMU)1.4Service providers SITA and ARINC1.5AOC, AAC and ATS messages1.6VHF, VDL2, HF and satellite media1.7Character-oriented and bit-oriented protocols1.8Communication costs for the operator1.9The role of ACARS in modern connectivity1.10Case study: messages from a short-haul flight
2.1ARINC 618 block structure2.2Message labels and sublabels2.3Addressing and flight numbers2.4OOOI departure and arrival messages2.5ARINC 620 ground formats2.6ARINC 633 and binary AOC messages2.7Acknowledgement and retry management2.8Security with ACARS Message Security2.9Decoding real messages2.10Lab: message analysis with a VHF receiver
3.1Position and weather reports3.2Flight plan and FMS updates3.3Weight and balance and the loadsheet3.4Coordination with dispatch and operations3.5Pre-departure clearance (PDC) request3.6Digital ATIS information3.7Crew and layover messages3.8Integration with the operations control centre3.9Reducing flight deck workload3.10Case study: redesign of an airline's AOC messages
4.1In-flight fault reports4.2ACMS and report triggers4.3Engine snapshots and trends4.4Centralised maintenance messages4.5Ground diagnosis before arrival4.6Integration with MRO systems4.7Reducing delays and cancellations4.8Alert management and prioritisation4.9Data quality and completeness4.10Practical exercise: handling an engine fault report
5.1Ground VHF station networks5.2Operator messaging gateways5.3Migration of ACARS towards IP5.4Broadband connectivity on the flight deck5.5Cybersecurity of air-ground messages5.6Service availability and continuity5.7Spectrum and frequency regulation5.8Coexistence with CPDLC FANS5.9Cost-per-message assessment5.10Case study: migrating messages to an IP channel
6.1Needs of the selected operator6.2Inventory of current messages6.3Design of new formats and flows6.4Media selection and costs6.5Integration with ground systems6.6Message security measures6.7Validation plan with flight crews6.8Operational benefit indicators6.9Report and presentation6.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM Institute campus, with downloadable materials, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so the programme is compatible with full-time work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standards and applied exercises. The working software is acarsdec, dumpvdl2, Wireshark, SITA AIRCOM Server and libacars, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures: decoding ACARS messages captured on VHF, designing airline operational messages and analysing in-flight maintenance reports. Assessment is continuous by module, plus a final capstone project.
Standards covered: ARINC 618, ARINC 620, ARINC 758, ARINC 633, ARINC 631, ARINC 622, ARINC 823, ICAO Annex 10, Volume III.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior qualification is required.
- An internet connection and a computer able to run the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 300 hours over 3 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with acarsdec, dumpvdl2, Wireshark, SITA AIRCOM Server and libacars, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute certificate, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
No prior qualification is required; you need an internet connection, a computer able to run the programme software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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