As with the latest generation of personal computers, the task of upgrading the 777 is easier than for any of its predecessors. The reason is the Honeywell-developed Aircraft Information Management System (AIMS) cabinet at the heart of the 777's modular avionics architecture. Boeing certified the first significant upgrade, AIMS Block 99, in December 1999, and is planning AIMS Block Point 2001 as an option, pending sufficient market interest.
Baselined in the proposed package is VHF Datalink (VDL) Mode 2, allowing access to the higher-capacity VDL Mode 2 network and a key stepping stone to ATN. Also offered is ARINC 623 datalink message capability, which will allow for digital departure clearance requests, oceanic clearances and automatic terminal information services.
Another option is Uplink VHF frequency preference, which allows airlines to remotely control the VHF frequency used by a specific aircraft.
An air traffic services (ATS) datalink enhancement is also proposed to allow crews to offset to either side of the route, arming reports from the uplink page. This reduces workload and adds automatic dependent surveillance status to the ATS log-on page, also reducing crew workload.
Enhanced ground proximity warning (EGPWS), predictive windshear and traffic alert and collision avoidance system to TCAS 7 are all standard. Electronic checklists have also been introduced and, from September, the EGPWS will have the latest "peaks mode" and obstacles database.
Source: Flight International
