Marconi Electronic Systems and Flight Dynamics are competing to equip Korean Air's new Boeing 737-800 and -900 fleet with head-up displays (HUDs) as part of the airline's new safety drive.
Sources close to the programmes say that such guidance systems could have prevented some of the incidents in which Korean Air (KAL) has recently been involved, and which have now led to the airline being forced by the Government to cut domestic services by 15%, at an estimated cost of up to $37 million in lost revenues. Bids are now on the table, says Marconi.
Marconi's civil HUD 2020 system is based on the company's experience in military aircraft displays. Like the rival Flight Dynamics system, it is designed to enhance the pilot's ability to take off and land in poor visibility, allow Category III operations, give the pilot better situational awareness and save the airline money by avoiding tailstrikes, runway excursions and heavy landings, and minimising weather-related diversions.
According to Marconi, its system will be fully certificated on the Boeing 737-800 by the first quarter of 1999. The HUD 2020 has already been selected to equip American Airlines' fleet of 737-800s, and certification for 737-900 use will require little additional work, claims the manufacturer.
First deliveries of the system to American will come immediately after certification. Marconi may be at a disadvantage in South Korea, however, as KAL's US partner carrier, Delta Air Lines, has selected the Flight Dynamics system.
The HUD competition is the latest of a series of safety-related cockpit improvements at KAL, which include orders for new traffic alert and collision avoidance systems and enhanced ground proximity warning systems. The airline is also recruiting more foreign pilots, improving pilot training and introducing a confidential crew reporting system.
KAL has been plagued by a series of incidents since 5 August, when a Boeing 747-400 skidded off the runway on landing at Kimpo Airport. Soon afterwards, an Airbus A300-600R burst six tyres landing at Pusan and, on 30 September, a Boeing MD-82 overran the runway at Ulsan.
Source: Flight International
