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GE's Flight Management Software Update FAA CertifiedApr 17, 2009 (Close-Up Media via COMTEX) -- GE Aviation announced the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification of the flight management system (FMS) software Update 10.8 for Boeing Next-Generation 737s. The new software is standard fit for all 737 production airplanes starting February 2009. "GE's flight management system is an example of how we're helping operators to reduce costs, while improving performance as it relates to on-time arrivals and less fuel, emissions, noise and less through-life cost," said Lorraine Bolsinger, president and CEO of GE's Aviation Systems. "We continue to work with customers and government bodies around the world in order to implement the technology and procedures necessary to reduce an airplane's impact on the environment." GE's flight management system optimized descent is one of the most recent products to become ecomagination qualified. GE said that the FMS 10.8 software update provides improved operation, increased navigation data base size for storage of a worldwide size data base with 95 percent spare memory for growth, and supports the APB Blended Winglet installation on all 737 Classic and Next-Generation airplanes. The FMS provides precision navigation compliant with the Required Navigation Performance (RNP) standards that allow reduced separation from terrain and other aircraft. RNP approach procedures also allow the aircraft to descend to lower altitudes when flying on instruments in reduced visibility conditions. The FMS provides output of the aircraft 4-dimensional trajectory to be used by Air Traffic Control to enable integrated air-ground operations. GE also provides other versions of its flight management systems for the Airbus A320/330/340, Boeing 767 Tanker, and U.S. Navy E-6 aircraft, the USAF E-4 and C-130, UK C-130, Spanish Air Force C-130s, C-130 AMP, UK Nimrod 2000, IL-96. GE's FMS software will also be on the U.S. Navy P-8A aircraft which is currently in development. GE certified their first flight management computer in November 1984. GE Aviation, an operating unit of General Electric Company, is a provider of jet engines, components and integrated systems for commercial and military aircraft. ((Comments on this story may be sent to [email protected])) |