The aircraft communications addressing and reporting system (ACARS) is

a datalink communication system. It lets you transmit messages and data

between an airplane and an airline ground base.
A message from the airplane to the airline ground base is called a downlink.
A message from the airline ground base to the airplane is called an uplink.
To reduce crew workload, ACARS sends reports when necessary and at
scheduled times of the flight.
These are typical ACARS reports :
- Crew identification,
- Out, Off, On, In (0001) times,
- Engine performance,
- Flight status,
- Maintenance items.