FedEx Express has achieved a milestone in innovative flight safety technology with Federal AviationAdministration (FAA) certification of a new aircraft avionic system that dramatically improves
situational awareness for pilots during takeoff and landing, which is the most critical part of anyflight.FedEx Express said it is the first major commercial carrier in the airline industry toreceive a Supplemental Type Certificate from the FAA for the advanced system, authorising itsinstallation in the company’s fleet of Boeing MD-10 freighters. The company’s goal for the systemis to improve the level of flight safety by increasing visibility of pilots during adverse weatherconditions and darkness.
Upon activation of the system, pilots can significantly enhance visibility in poor weather,including darkness, smoke, smog, haze and other weather events, while simultaneously seeingcritical 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. Thevisual enhancement is similar to that created by infrared night-vision technology used inmodern-day defence systems.
The company’s MD-10 modification program for HUD/EFVS will begin this summer and is expectedto be completed in 2012. The world’s largest cargo carrier also anticipates seeking FAA approval toexpand installation of the technology on its entire trunk fleet.
