Honeywell has secured technical standard order approval from the FAA for a software upgrade to its Mark V/VII enhanced ground proximity warning system (EGPWS) that is designed to reduce runway accidents.
Two modules are available. The SmartRunway supplies pilots with visual and aural alerts about runway and taxiway locations while SmartLanding informs pilots of unstable approaches and long landings.
SmartRunway is the next generation of Honeywell's Runway Awareness and Advisory System (RAAS), which was introduced in 2004. Honywell explains SmartRunway offers two additional advisories over the RAAS, and visual advisories as well. Boeing is offering SmartRunway as an option on the 747-8 and 777 aircraft, and plans to offer it on the 737 narrowbody early next year.
Emirates is the launch customer for Honeywell's SmartLanding system, which notifies pilots through aural and/or visual alerts if an aircraft has not met established safety criteria on approach to prevent hard landings and an aircraft exiting the runway from the end or sides.
"The systems support both 'quiet' cockpit and 'heads-up' initiatives while complementing electronic flight bag technology by providing safety information to pilots when runway safety is at risk," says TK Kallenbach Honeywell VP of product management.
Honeywell explains the systems require one hour of downtime for installation and minimal pilot training.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
