Horizon Air-operated Bombardier Q400 and CRJ700 aircraft equipped with the Rockwell Collins/Flight Dynamics Head-up Guidance System (HGS) have been approved for Cat 3 weather operations, it was announced at Paris.
Cat 3 with rollout guidance permits Bombardier Q400 and CRJ700 landings with a runway visual range (RVR) of 600ft (183m) at the touchdown zone and 400ft (122m) at mid-field.
"The Bombardier CRJ700 and Q400 were the first of the new-generation 70-seat regional aircraft to reach the marketplace, and now they are first to land and take off in such low visibility conditions," said Steven Ridolfi, president, Bombardier Regional Aircraft.
"This adds tremendous value to our aircraft for airlines operating in areas where such weather conditions will otherwise cause flight cancellations or delays."
Perry Solmonson, Horizon Air's manager of flight operations technology and air traffic, said a "significant" number of flights are completed because of Cat 3 capability and, in fact, a Bombardier Q400 completed three Cat 3 approaches the day after HGS was approved for operation.
"You must bear in mind that the ability to complete a Cat 3 approach is only one piece of the puzzle," Solmonson said.
"HGS is a valuable tool throughout the flight regime."
Solmonson added that HGS is useful during night visual approaches where there is no electronic glideslope or Visual Approach Slope Indicator System (VASI); it provides lower than standard weather minima at Cat 1 facilities; it provides excellent information for energy management for en-route descent planning; it is good for wake turbulence avoidance because the pilot can see where his flight path will be in relation to a preceding aircraft; it provides take-off guidance down to 300 RVR; and it permits excellent speed control after take-off or during climb in the event of an engine failure.
Source: Flight Daily News
