AlliedSignal Aerospace is developing a version of its enhanced ground proximity warning system (EGPWS) to fit corporate aircraft. It is responding to proposed US Federal Aviation Administration regulations requiring installation of terrain avoidance and warning systems in all aircraft with six or more seats .
The two air transport standard systems now available - the MkV for airliners with digital avionics and the MkVII for analogue equipped aircraft - will be joined in mid-1999 by the MkVI, for corporate aircraft and regional airliners. A "MkVIII" - a 3ATI (75mm) display with built-in EGPWS, for aircraft with limited room for avionics - is to become available later next year.
The EGPWS interfaces with the existing electronic flight instrument system or colour weather radar display. For aircraft lacking a suitable colour display (or any display at all) AlliedSignal will offer a 3ATI flat-panel display dedicated to presenting the EGPWS terrain picture. For aircraft lacking a global positioning system (GPS) or flight management system to provide position information, the company plans to offer an EGPWS with built-in dedicated GPS receiver.
Brian Pulk, director of EGPWS products, says that enhancements planned for this year include the addition to the terrain database of man-made obstacles of 500ft (150m) or higher. The company will also introduce a "peaks mode" display as standard. While the current system displays terrain 2,000ft or less below the aircraft, the new mode will show terrain below the aircraft regardless of altitude. Pulk says that the change was requested by airlines.
AlliedSignal is forecasting demand for up to 600 systems a month. The company is building 200 a month, against orders for 4,200 systems, and has the capacity to go to 500 a month. It has delivered over 1,400 systems so far, with some 250 now flying. "The false alarm rate is very low," says Pulk.
Source: Flight International
