A system comprises a vehicle communication application hosted on a portable device. The application generates a traffic control log on screen; generates a free text screen accessible by a user; generates standard traffic control message screens; generates a connectivity services and status screen; provides a regulatory standard communication protocol converter that formats messages to a regulatory standard communication compliant protocol; and provides for regulatory standard communication over Internet protocol processing for communication of regulatory standard communication protocol messages to a datalink device. The system also comprises a ground data center that receives and transmits messages from and to a vehicle, through the application. The data center communicates with a traffic control center, and processes messages received from the vehicle to meet protocol requirements prior to transmitting messages to the traffic control center. The data center also receives responses from the traffic control center for transmission back to the vehicle.