Next Generation Avionics on B-747-8F

Rockwell Collins next-generation avionics is on the Boeing's 747-8 Freighter, which has just made its maiden flight. The new airplane features an entire suite of Rockwell Collins displays, autopilot, communication, navigation, surveillance, maintenance, emergency and data management systems. Key Rockwell Collins avionics onboard the 747-8 includes: the GLU-925 Multi-mode receiver with GPS Landing System (GLS) and ILS capability and the MultiScan Hazard Detection System that analyzes and determines actual weather hazards. Other standard Rockwell Collins equipment includes: Communication Management Unit, Data Management Unit, Satellite Communications System, VHF and HF transceivers, VHF Omnidirectional Radio, Distance Measuring Equipment, Automatic Direction Finder, Mode S Transponder, TCAS II, Autopilot with Mode Control Panel, Cockpit Voice Recorder, Flight Data Recorder, Emergency Locator Transmitter, and the Flight Deck Printer.

RC Provides Avionics for GOL B-737s

Brazil's GOL Airlines has selected Rockwell Collins to provide CMU-900 Communications Management Unit (CMU) for its fleet of Boeing 737NG airplanes. In addition, the airplanes will also be equipped with the company's advanced GLU-925 Multi Mode Receiver (MMR). Deliveries will begin in early 2010. "GOL's standards of safety, comfort and affordability for their passengers, as well as the need to equip their fleet for an evolving future airspace were, key factors in selecting Rockwell Collins for datalink and MMR capabilities," said Jeff Standerski, Rockwell Collins vice president and general manager of Air Transport System. The CMU-900 enables state-of-the-art digital communications between aircraft systems, pilots, airlines IT infrastructure, and various operations control functions. The GLU-925 Multi-Mode Receiver is the first MMR certified for precision landing using either Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) or Instrument Landing Systems (ILS). The GLU-925 is the primary navigation sensor for all phases of flight, including the stringent Required Navigation Performance (RNP) requirement of 0.1 nm.

Hainan Air Picks MultiScan for A330s

Hainan Airlines has selected Rockwell Collins to provide its MultiScan Hazard Detection system and sensors for 13 of its Airbus A330 aircraft. "Rockwell Collins' award-winning MultiScan Hazard Detection system supports Hainan's efforts to maintain the highest standards of flight operations," said Thud Chee (TC) Chan, vice president and managing director, Asia-Pacific for Rockwell Collins. "MultiScan's ability to automatically detect and analyze weather hazards during all phases of flight will allow Hainan pilots to fly the most efficient routes to get passengers to their destinations on time." The MultiScan system is the first and only radar that analyzes and determines actual weather hazards, not simply atmospheric moisture content, to provide flight crews more accurate weather returns. The MultiScan system is derived from extensive operational experience and provides a fully automatic, hands-free airborne radar system that reduces pilot workload and enhances safety and passenger comfort by minimizing unexpected turbulence encounters, and provides optimal clutter-free weather displays. In addition to MultiScan, Hainan Airlines also selected the following sensors from Rockwell Collins: ADF-900 Automatic Direction Finder, DME-900 Distance Measuring Equipment, HFS-900D High Speed Data Radio, CPL-920D Coupling Unit, VOR-900 Marker Beacon Receiver, and VHF-2100 Very High Frequency Transceiver.

Rockwell Collins Teams with Cebu Pacific Air

Rockwell Collins will provide a full suite of communication, navigation and surveillance systems as baseline equipment for Cebu Pacific Air's 15 new Airbus A320 aircraft and its five options. This award marks Rockwell Collins' first from the air carrier. The Rockwell Collins MultiScan Hazard Detection System is among the avionics CEB selected. The MultiScan system is the first and only radar that analyzes and determines actual weather hazards, not simply atmospheric moisture content, to provide flight crews more accurate weather returns. The MultiScan system is derived from extensive operational experience to create a fully automatic, hands-free airborne radar system that reduces pilot workload and enhances safety and passenger comfort by minimizing unexpected turbulence encounters, and provides optimal clutter-free weather displays. The airlie also selected the following sensors from Rockwell Collins: ADF-900 Automatic Direction Finder, DME-900 Distance Measuring Equipment, HFS-900D High Frequency Data Radio, GLU-925 Multi-Mode Receiver, and the VHF-2100 High Speed Multi-Mode Data Radio.

Air Dolomiti Acquires Nav Charts

Air Dolomiti will fly with navigation charts from Lufthansa Systems. Both companies recently signed a 10-year-contract for the usage of Lido/RouteManual. The agreement also includes an option to migrate to the electronic version of the charts. With the innovative solution the regional carrier can optimize its flight operations and benefit from the high quality of the Lufthansa Systems navigation charts, Lufthansa Systems said. The navigation charts are generated directly from the Lido navigation database. They include true-to-scale geographic information such as terrain features and rivers. The charts include airport taxiway charts, approach and takeoff charts, and a seamless worldwide route chart. The value of Lido/RouteManual lies in the easy legibility and the clear structure of the individual charts. This reduces the pilots' workload in the cockpit, especially during key flight situations such as takeoff and landing. Migrating to the electronic version of the charts later will enable the carrier to move forward to a paperless cockpit.

Air Methods Enhances Pilot Training

Air Methods recently signed an agreement with AeroSimulators to purchase three advanced aviation training devices which will be incorporated into the company's pilot training program. The main device is a replica of a Eurocopter EC135 helicopter, with an Air Methods-specific cockpit, and will be permanently located at corporate headquarters in Colorado. Training on this unit will be incorporated into pilot new hire training. The other two advanced aviation training devices are Eurocopter AS350 helicopter replicas that will be mobile, allowing Air Methods to move them around throughout the field operations. Use of the devices will allow instructors to practice emergency procedures not well suited to attempt in a training aircraft in flight and help reduce the amount of in aircraft training time. Aaron Todd, Chief Executive Officer, stated, "Air Methods continuously strives to make our pilot training program better, and these new devices will help make our pilots even more proficient and confident."