Infrared Night Vision Successfully Installed on GIV
The FAA has approved the use of the
Future Air Navigation System (FANS) 1/A data link on Gulfstream
G450 aircraft. Gulfstream is the first large-cabin business-jet
manufacturer to receive such approval. FANS was developed to
address air-traffic control's ability to handle a dramatic increase
in aircraft traffic. The system uses automation and satellite-based
navigation to improve aviation communication, navigation,
surveillance and traffic management.
The ability to use FANS 1/A applies to G450 aircraft equipped
with the enhanced navigation package, which is available as part of
Certification Foxtrot for Gulfstream's PlaneView flight deck. The
enhanced package adds Controller-Pilot Data Link Communication
(CPDLC) to Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Contract (ADS-C),
completing the aircraft's FANS 1/A capability.
"This approval reflects the tremendous effort we've made toward
preparing Gulfstream aircraft for the next generation of air
navigation," said Pres Henne, senior vice president, Programs,
Engineering and Test, Gulfstream. "Being able to offer ADS-C and
CPDLC to our operators is important because they provide improved
communications and operational efficiency. Our operators value that
and we do, too."
CPDLC/ADS-C provides flight crews with direct communication to
oceanic and remote-area air- traffic controllers. It enhances
safety because it automatically reports when an aircraft deviates
from its cleared altitude and route. It also provides
meteorological data from the aircraft's sensors.
Crews using the data link log on to the air-traffic system
computer, which allows it to exchange information with ground-based
computers. Those computers automatically transfer responsibility
for the aircraft to the next region's air-traffic system as the
aircraft travels along its route. This eliminates the need for
crews to use radio operators and high-frequency radios to request
clearances and provide position reports.
ADS-C allows an air-traffic controller to initiate the tracking of
an aircraft's position from the ground using information sent at
predetermined intervals from the jet's onboard sensors.
Certification Foxtrot's enhanced navigation package offers
improved navigational performance, increased efficiency and greater
access through an upgraded Flight Management System (FMS). In
addition to FANS capability, the upgrade includes redundant
electronic terminal charts for paperless dispatch, upgraded
Inertial Reference Units (IRUs) to enable High Step 1, Wide Area
Augmentation System-Localizer Performance with Vertical Guidance
(WAAS-LPV), and Required Navigation Performance (RNP) below
0.3.
Meanwhile, a Kollsman General Aviation Vision System
(GAViS) has been successfully installed on a Gulfstream GIV
aircraft. The device is now available for GV, GIV and GIII
models.
The infrared camera system provides pilots with improved
situational awareness at night and in low-visibility conditions.
Mounted within the upper nose radome, it supplies enhanced imagery
of airports, air traffic, terrain, taxiways, wildlife and runway
conditions. This enables pilots to see objects that might otherwise
be obscured by darkness, rain, light fog or other factors.
Images can be displayed on a CD-820 flight management system
control and display unit or another approved aircraft device, such
as an electronic flight bag. The system can also interface with
many existing video-capable head-down displays.
"Gulfstream pioneered enhanced vision for its in-production
large-cabin aircraft," said Mark Burns, president, Gulfstream
Product Support. "This is our way of providing similar capabilities
to operators of our earlier aircraft. It's an excellent option for
operators who want to enhance safety by increasing their
situational awareness both in the air and on the ground."
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