CONTINENTAL Airlines is to upgrade its Boeing 727s and McDonnell Douglas (MDC) DC-10s with Honeywell/Trimble HT9100 flight-management/ global-positioning systems (FMS/GPS), with an option to retrofit its MDCMD-80s.
United Airlines, meanwhile, has cancelled plans to upgrade its 727s with the FMS/GPS, after deciding to retire the aircraft - which are being hushkitted - by 2001.
Honeywell/Trimble is supplying 139 systems to Continental, which is retrofitting its 727s with dual HT-9100s and its DC-10s with triple installations. MD-80s would be upgraded with dual HT9100s if the option is exercised.
Continental is the latest US airline to retrofit FMS/GPS to its aircraft to replace the Omega navigation system (which will be de-commissioned in September) and to comply with new required navigation-performance regulations. American Airlines has installed HT9100s in its 727s and MD-80s, while Delta Air Lines chose Rockwell-Collins' GNLU-900 for its 727s and Boeing 737s.
Northwest is conducting a competition for an FMS/GPS for its MDC DC-9s.
Source: Flight International
