Rockwell Collins HGS Gets OK for Embraer 190s

Rockwell Collins Head-Up Guidance System (HGS) has been approved for Category III landing and low-visibility takeoff operations on the Embraer 190 aircraft, the company said. Making the announcement at the Paris Air Show, the company said launch customer JetBlue is already flying with the Model 5600 dual HGS on its fleet of 26 E190 airplanes. With this certification, JetBlue may now begin their operational approval process and training programs to operate in Cat III conditions –– runway visibility down to 600 feet and decision height down to 50 feet –– improving schedule reliability and on-time performance. JetBlue estimates approval for their fleet will take 12 to 15 months. "With this new capability, our airline customers will be able to operate more efficiently, reducing delays and diversions and improving their on-time performance," says E. Mauro Kern, Embraer vice president. The HGS Model 5600 was originally approved for installation on the E190 in November 2005, making it the first commercial airplane ever to be certified with dual Head Up Displays. The system has been used by JetBlue as a Primary Flight Reference, allowing both the captain and first officer to benefit from improved "eyes out" situational awareness. Follow-on Cat III HGS certification is planned for the Embraer 195.