Honeywell certifies Pegasus FMS on B767-400 and A340
The Pegasus system also received European Joint Airworthiness Authority (JAA) certification on the Airbus A340. The certification follows closely on a successful Airbus round-the-world test flight of Future Air Navigation System (FANS) data link using an A340-300 test bed. The Pegasus software supports the full flight regime with all long-range functions for both lateral guidance and flight planning as well as vertical guidance and performance functions in a dual system configuration.
This latest certification highlights the next-generation FMS, providing airlines with new capabilities and performance features to take advantage of the emerging Communications, Navigation, Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) operating environment. The intention is to support not only Boeing's new 767-400 aircraft, but to provide increased FMS capability to all 757 and 767 operators.
Features on the new Pegasus FMS includes
- flight path angle, vertical bearing and vertical speed functions, which are displayed on multifunction control display unit (MCDU) during descent to enhance situational awareness;
- wind trade-off step climbs, which save time and fuel;
- Required Navigation Performance (RNP) values in the navigation database to improve operational efficiency;
- RF (Radius-to-a-Fix) legs in the navigation database to allow aircraft to fly an arc procedure without ground-based navigation aids;
- back-up radio tuning to provide the capability to manually tune radios via the MCDU, de-cluttering the panel and saving weight.
- full back-up navigation in the multi-function control-display units (MCDUs);
- GPS primary means navigation;
- dual electronic flight instrument system (EFIS) display of all flight plans; and
- an improved BITE system.
Edited by David Robb
Managing Editor, Aerospace Online