Technology Allows Airports to Increase Capacity, Reduce Delays, Improve
Energy Efficiency
PHOENIX, Sept. 21, 2009 -- Honeywell (NYSE: HON) today announced that
its SmartPath™ Precision Landing System, a technology that increases airport
capacity for a fraction of the cost of new runways, is the first and only
ground based augmentation system (GBAS) to receive the Federal Aviation
Administration’s System Design Approval.
Honeywell’s technology supports precision approach and landings by using Global
Positioning System (GPS) satellite data and transmits digital guidance signals
to aircraft systems. SmartPath ground-based systems provide differential GPS
corrections to replace or supplement the Instrument Landing System (ILS)
currently used at airports. ILS is an older technology with technical and
operational limitations that impacts flight path flexibility and airport
throughput. ILS is also susceptible to signal interference by weather and
obstacles, which can result in significant disruptions to airport traffic,
causing delays.
Replacing ILS with GBAS technology has been identified in the FAA’s NextGen
system and Eurocontrol’s Single European Sky ATM Research Programme as critical
enablers for improving air traffic capacity.
“Honeywell is a pioneer in this technology, having first demonstrated the
ability to use GPS for aircraft landing in the early 1990s,” said TK
Kallenbach, Vice President of Product Management. “Our GBAS technology in
SmartPath, demonstrated at more than 25 airports around the world, is ready for
implementation now to enable airports to increase capacity without expensive
runway expansions. Coupling SmartPath with precision arrivals can also save
airline operators fuel and lowers emissions.”
A single Honeywell system can support landing operations on multiple runways
simultaneously, eliminating the need for multiple ILS systems at airports with
more than one runway.
“One SmartPath system installed in a typical airport can yield annual
maintenance savings of up to $400,000 compared to a single ILS,” said Vicki
Panhuise, Honeywell Vice President, US Defense Customers. “Honeywell’s
technology offers airports improved efficiency and capacity, while offering
operators greater navigational accuracy and fewer weather-related
delays.”
Airservices Australia, with whom Honeywell has worked on SmartPath GBAS in a
coordinated effort, has been actively engaged in the use of GBAS technology
since 1999 and has been operating the Honeywell SmartPath GBAS ground station
in Sydney since November 2006. In Australia, more than 1,400 revenue landings
have occurred using SmartPath.
Honeywell’s SmartPath is operating at early adopter airports across the globe,
including Bremen, Germany; Malaga, Spain; Memphis, Tenn.; and Atlantic City,
N.J. Additional installations are planned at airports in the U.S., Asia, South
America and Europe beginning in late summer 2009.
To achieve FAA System Design Approval, Honeywell’s SmartPath system has been
fully audited, reviewed and inspected by the FAA in a multi-year process.
Based in Phoenix, Arizona, Honeywell’s aerospace business is a leading global
provider of integrated avionics, engines, systems and service solutions for
aircraft manufacturers, airlines, business and general aviation, military,
space and airport operations.
Honeywell International (www.honeywell.com)
is a Fortune 100 diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving
customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies
for buildings, homes and industry; automotive products; turbochargers; and
specialty materials. Based in Morris Township, N.J., Honeywell’s shares are
traded on the New York, London, and Chicago Stock Exchanges. For more news and
information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywellnow.com
This release contains certain statements that may be deemed “forward-looking
statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, that address
activities, events or developments that we or our management intends, expects,
projects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are
forward-looking statements. Such statements are based upon certain assumptions
and assessments made by our management in light of their experience and their
perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future
developments and other factors they believe to be appropriate. The
forward-looking statements included in this release are also subject to a
number of material risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to
economic, competitive, governmental, and technological factors affecting our
operations, markets, products, services and prices. Such forward-looking
statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results,
developments and business decisions may differ from those envisaged by such
forward-looking statements.
Media Contact:
Karen Crabtree
602-365-5255
karen.crabtree@honeywell.com
Honeywell
Aerospace Media Center