In one embodiment, a method is provided. The method comprises: receiving 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; determining if a second communications protocol was selected; if the second communications protocol was selected, trapping 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 sending an ATC message in the selected communications protocol and receiving an ATC message in the selected communications protocol.