Honeywell has officially confirmed the news of Avianca selecting its portfolio of avionics technologies and mechanical systems for use in the latter’s new Airbus A320neo fleet.
According to certain reports, by integrating Honeywell latest cockpit technologies, Avianca will be able to improve operational efficiencies and maximize situational awareness for its pilots.
More on the same would reveal how Honeywell is also expected to provide 131-9A auxiliary power units (APUs) for Avianca’s 138 new aircraft. You see, the company’s 131-9A APU generates electrical power for the aircraft while on the ground, something which helps to ensure passenger comfort prior to starting the main engines.
Talk about all Honeywell technologies that Avianca has selected as a part of this development, we begin from Honeywell Pegasus II A320 Flight Management System (FMS) which effectively provides the primary navigation, flight planning, optimized route determination, and enroute guidance for the aircraft. The stated technological setup is made up of interrelated functions i.e. navigation, flight planning, trajectory prediction, performance computations, guidance and AOC/ATC data link functions.
“Our collaboration with Honeywell is an important step in improving the efficiency and safety of our operations,” said Francisco Raddatz, senior vice president, fleet and supply at Avianca. “Honeywell’s technologies will help us equip our A320neo fleet with reliable tools that enhance our performance and support a better experience for both our crew and passengers.”
Next in line would be IntuVue RDR-4000 3D Weather Radar System. This one happens to be the first automatic, commercial radar that accurately depicts weather in the flight path of an airplane. In case you weren’t aware, IntuVue automatically scans the sky at 17 tilt angles, the most in the industry, and delivers a 3-D view of the weather through an intuitive display which pilots can quickly and easily access. Not just that, the system also improves upon strategic rerouting and tactical maneuvering that allow pilots to find the most efficient route for on-time arrival, improved fuel efficiency, and safety.
Another detail worth a mention here is rooted in Honeywell’s Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), a system which is designed to mitigate the risk of a potential mid-air collision. This it essentially does by addressing safety hazards and providing a clear course of action when a danger is detected. The CAS 100 system treads up a long distance, on its part, to implement necessary safety logic, as well as improve situational awareness and safety in high density airspace through a more intuitive and informative display of traffic.
Hold on, there is more, considering we still haven’t touched on the fact that Avianca also selected Honeywell’s Integrated Multi-Mode Receiver, which would be one of the industry’s leading radio navigation aids. The device basically combines satellite-based and ground-based navigation systems into one receiver, and therefore, helps pinpoint precise airplane locations for efficient landings, especially during difficult and new runway approaches.
Rounding up highlights would be Honeywell Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS), a system which is best known for reducing the risk of controlled flight into terrain by providing flight crews with timely, accurate information about terrain and obstacles across the area.
Making the whole thing even more valuable is Honeywell’s record of producing around 100,000 APUs of gas turbine over the last 70 years.
“Our collaboration with Avianca builds on Honeywell’s more than 100 years of innovation, which enable us to deliver the industry’s most advanced technologies that will help drive the airline’s operational performance,” said Heath Patrick, president, Americas aftermarket, Honeywell Aerospace Technologies. “With Honeywell’s avionics and mechanical systems, including our industry-leading auxiliary power units, Avianca will be able to maximize the operational efficiency of its new A320neo aircraft, while providing its pilots with intuitive systems in the cockpit that increase their situational awareness during the flight.
