PAUL LEWIS / WASHINGTON DC
Range of advanced systems being tested and evaluated in preparation for first customer installation in August
Boeing is using a 737-900 development aircraft as a test, evaluation and demonstration platform for advanced avionics.
The first technologies will be offered for customer installation from August.
The 737-900 Technology Demonstrator, which began test flights in January, is fitted with six systems that are available or in the final phases of certification, plus three "blue-sky" technology features which are not expected to be offered until after 2004.
Key to the majority of these systems, which are aimed at increasing safety and efficiency, is a Rockwell Collins Flight Dynamics head-up display (HUD) that is already in widespread use.
The aircraft is being used until July for demonstrations to airlines and regulatory agencies. Boeing, which intends to offer the advanced avionics on everything from the 717 to the Sonic Cruiser, is using the 737 to compare the performance of the systems and to explore their suitability for retrofit.
Technologies include the quiet climb system (QCS), flight management computer (FMC) software that automatically and consistently reduces thrust over noise sensitive areas during climb out.
QCS, being offered on the 737, allows the auto-throttle to reduce thrust to a climb gradient of 1.2%. Boeing says that the QCS is being considered for use on other models.
Other technologies include the vertical situation display (VSD) which works with the enhanced ground proximity warning system to provide a profile view of the projected flightpath and associated terrain features.
It will be offered on the 737 from August and on other models from 2004.
Boeing's newly developed navigation performance scales, which graphically depict the dynamic relationship between actual and required navigation performance (RNP), are also being tested.
Available from August on the 737, and on other models from 2005, the system will allow RNP 0.1 (0.1nm/0.2km) approaches using lateral and vertical navigation that currently cannot be flown.
Also installed are an integrated approach navigation enhancement to the FMC, which provides instrument landing system-like procedures for FMC approaches, as well as a GPS landing system (GLS). Both systems will be offered on the 737 from August.
The FMC upgrade will not be available on other models until 2005, while GLS will be available on other types from 2004.
Blue-sky systems include the GPS/FMC-databased surface guidance system (SGS), which guides crews on the ground in low visibility; infrared sensor-based enhanced vision systems; and a synthetic vision concept that uses a large-scale terrain database.
Source: Flight International
