FAA OKs New MD-10 Cockpit System

FedEx Express recently earned FAA certification of a new aircraft avionics system to improve situational awareness for pilots during takeoff and landing. The firm is the first major commercial carrier in the airline industry to receive a Supplemental Type Certificate for the advanced system, which combines Honeywell International 'Head Up Display' (HUD) technology with infrared 'Enhanced Flight Vision System' (EFVS) technology of Elbit Systems of America Commercial Aviation-Kollsman Business Unit.
The STC approves the combined system for installation in the FedEx fleet of Boeing MD-10 freighters. With the new avioncis, 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 transition from an instrument approach to landing, especially in low visibility conditions, is one of the more challenging tasks a pilot performs," said James Parker, senior vice president of air operations at FedEx Express. "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."