FDX - New Gadget...
06-23-2008, 08:58 AM
#1
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Sep 2007
Position: Reverse Apexed
Posts: 123
FDX - New Gadget...
FedEx Express Earns FAA Certification for Innovative Flight Safety System
Technology Enhances 'Situational Awareness' for Safer Takeoffs and Landings
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX), has achieved a milestone in innovative flight safety technology with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification of a new aircraft avionic system that dramatically improves situational awareness for pilots during takeoff and landing--the most critical part of any flight.
FedEx Express is the first major commercial carrier in the airline industry to receive a Supplemental Type Certificate from the FAA for the advanced system, authorizing its installation in the company's fleet of Boeing MD-10 freighters. The company's goal for the system is to improve the level of flight safety by increasing visibility of pilots during adverse weather conditions and darkness.
Upon activation of the system, pilots can significantly enhance visibility in poor weather --including darkness, smoke, smog, haze and other weather events--while simultaneously seeing critical flight data. This allows the captain to maintain a heads-up view of his surroundings, eliminating transition time normally needed to look down at cockpit primary flight information. The visual enhancement is similar to that created by infrared night-vision technology used in modern-day defense systems.
A unique application of Honeywell International "Head Up Display" (HUD) technology combined with infrared "Enhanced Flight Vision System" (EFVS) technology of Elbit Systems of America Commercial Aviation-Kollsman Business Unit, positions the system as the leader in the avionic visual technologies market.
The Honeywell HUD interfaces with aircraft navigational and flight data systems in presenting a high resolution liquid crystal display of critical flight guidance information. This is overlaid with real-time EFVS infrared video of the outside world that is displayed in an overhead unit in the captain's forward field of view using state-of-the-art HUD "combiner" technology. Elbit Systems Ltd., Electro-Optics-Elop manufactures the combiner glass.
Best Technology in 'Civil Aviation Market'
Advertisement
"The visual transition from an instrument approach to landing, especially in low visibility conditions, is one of the more challenging tasks a pilot performs," James Parker, senior vice president of Air Operations, FedEx Express, said. "This system is a leading edge safety enhancement that will complement the skills of our pilots. Combining HUD and EFVS technology into a single system for flight crew situational awareness increases the margin of safety in all aircraft operations and, more importantly, during reduced visibility conditions."
FedEx Express crew member Bob Moreau, a 28-year veteran pilot who logged more than 350 hours testing the system, calls the technology "the best in the civil aviation market, giving pilots an unparalleled level of situational awareness." He also points out operational advantages that stem from the system's safety benefits.
"It enables a pilot to see approach and runway lights in difficult environments, which means our aircraft will be better adapted to fly into and out of airports experiencing poor visibility," Moreau said. "This translates into our ability to maintain and potentially improve service to customers anywhere in the world."
The company's MD-10 modification program for HUD/EFVS will begin this summer and is expected to be completed in 2012. The world's largest cargo carrier also anticipates seeking FAA approval to expand installation of the technology on its entire trunk fleet.
FedEx development of system began several years ago and continued in keeping pace with advances in aviation technology. Head up display and enhanced vision technologies have existed for many years, however, it has taken additional time for systems to mature for commercial airline use and ultimately to be integrated into the single functional system developed by FedEx in collaboration with its technology vendors.
Technology Enhances 'Situational Awareness' for Safer Takeoffs and Landings
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX), has achieved a milestone in innovative flight safety technology with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification of a new aircraft avionic system that dramatically improves situational awareness for pilots during takeoff and landing--the most critical part of any flight.
FedEx Express is the first major commercial carrier in the airline industry to receive a Supplemental Type Certificate from the FAA for the advanced system, authorizing its installation in the company's fleet of Boeing MD-10 freighters. The company's goal for the system is to improve the level of flight safety by increasing visibility of pilots during adverse weather conditions and darkness.
Upon activation of the system, pilots can significantly enhance visibility in poor weather --including darkness, smoke, smog, haze and other weather events--while simultaneously seeing critical flight data. This allows the captain to maintain a heads-up view of his surroundings, eliminating transition time normally needed to look down at cockpit primary flight information. The visual enhancement is similar to that created by infrared night-vision technology used in modern-day defense systems.
A unique application of Honeywell International "Head Up Display" (HUD) technology combined with infrared "Enhanced Flight Vision System" (EFVS) technology of Elbit Systems of America Commercial Aviation-Kollsman Business Unit, positions the system as the leader in the avionic visual technologies market.
The Honeywell HUD interfaces with aircraft navigational and flight data systems in presenting a high resolution liquid crystal display of critical flight guidance information. This is overlaid with real-time EFVS infrared video of the outside world that is displayed in an overhead unit in the captain's forward field of view using state-of-the-art HUD "combiner" technology. Elbit Systems Ltd., Electro-Optics-Elop manufactures the combiner glass.
Best Technology in 'Civil Aviation Market'
Advertisement
"The visual transition from an instrument approach to landing, especially in low visibility conditions, is one of the more challenging tasks a pilot performs," James Parker, senior vice president of Air Operations, FedEx Express, said. "This system is a leading edge safety enhancement that will complement the skills of our pilots. Combining HUD and EFVS technology into a single system for flight crew situational awareness increases the margin of safety in all aircraft operations and, more importantly, during reduced visibility conditions."
FedEx Express crew member Bob Moreau, a 28-year veteran pilot who logged more than 350 hours testing the system, calls the technology "the best in the civil aviation market, giving pilots an unparalleled level of situational awareness." He also points out operational advantages that stem from the system's safety benefits.
"It enables a pilot to see approach and runway lights in difficult environments, which means our aircraft will be better adapted to fly into and out of airports experiencing poor visibility," Moreau said. "This translates into our ability to maintain and potentially improve service to customers anywhere in the world."
The company's MD-10 modification program for HUD/EFVS will begin this summer and is expected to be completed in 2012. The world's largest cargo carrier also anticipates seeking FAA approval to expand installation of the technology on its entire trunk fleet.
FedEx development of system began several years ago and continued in keeping pace with advances in aviation technology. Head up display and enhanced vision technologies have existed for many years, however, it has taken additional time for systems to mature for commercial airline use and ultimately to be integrated into the single functional system developed by FedEx in collaboration with its technology vendors.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
