BRITISH AIRWAYS WILL announce this week that it is fitting traffic-alert and collision-avoidance systems (TCAS 2) to its 116-aircraft short-haul fleet
The airline is the first major European carrier to order the TCAS 2 for its entire fleet. Its 102 long-haul aircraft are already fitted with the system, which is now mandatory for large aircraft in US airspace and is expected to become compulsory in Europe from 1 January, 2000.
BA has selected Honeywell for the new $15 million contract, despite rival bids from AlliedSignal and Collins, its existing TCAS supplier for the long-haul fleet. It is likely that the Collins systems will be moved to the short-haul aircraft, allowing the longer-range Honeywell system to be installed on the long-haul fleet.
Some BA pilots would like to see the Honeywell equipment, with its 150-165km (80-90nm) range, used to enhance en route situational awareness in regions with primitive air-traffic control.
Source: Flight International
