Honeywell System to Enhance Safety Before Takeoff
SEATTLE, Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Continuing a long tradition of
leadership in safety innovation, Alaska Airlines will be the first major U.S.
passenger carrier to equip its entire aircraft fleet with a system designed to
help prevent accidents on runways and taxiways.
The Runway Awareness and Advisory System (RAAS), developed by Honeywell
(NYSE: HON) in 2003, provides pilots with audible alerts when they approach
and enter taxiways and runways. The system confirms runway identifications to
help ensure pilots are on the correct runway with enough distance to complete
takeoff, and provides an audible warning if a pilot inadvertently accelerates
for takeoff while on a taxiway.
Regulatory agencies, airlines and others in the aviation community regard
incidents in these operational areas -- known as runway incursions -- as one
of the industry's biggest safety issues.
"Runways are a challenging environment where everything comes together,"
said Gregg Saretsky, Alaska Airlines' executive vice president of flight and
marketing. "RAAS is the latest step in Alaska's ongoing journey of innovation
with Honeywell. By putting this advanced situational awareness technology on
all of our planes, coupled with other systems we have in place, Alaska will be
flying the most technologically modern airline fleet in the United States and
our pilots will be assured of an additional layer of safety while on the
nation's runways."
Alaska Airlines began installing RAAS on its Boeing 737s in July after
working with Honeywell to make sure the technology met the carrier's specific
operational needs. During the past three years, Alaska pilots have helped
develop and test RAAS. Alaska's fleet will be fully equipped with the aural
alert software by the end of September.
"The inclusion of RAAS throughout Alaska Airlines' fleet reflects the
safety leadership and strong commitment from both Alaska Airlines and
Honeywell to reduce runway incursions," said Garrett Mikita, president of
Honeywell's air transport and regional business. "In today's increasingly
crowded airport environments, Honeywell's RAAS technology, customized for
Alaska to match their unique operating requirements, improves safety by
enhancing flight crew situational awareness."
RAAS is a software enhancement to Honeywell's proven Enhanced Ground
Proximity Warning System (EGPWS), which warns pilots if they fly too close to
terrain. Alaska began installing EGPWS in its aircraft in the mid-1990s and
recently upgraded the system to provide pilots with visual alerts for tall
buildings and other man-made structures.
A longtime innovator in flight safety technology, Alaska Airlines' history
of firsts includes other key systems that provide pinpoint navigation and help
pilots take off and land in poor weather. In the mid-1990s, the airline
pioneered Required Navigation Performance (RNP), which uses the
satellite-based Global Positioning System to improve the carrier's safety and
reliability for flights operating in and out of Juneau, Alaska. Alaska
Airlines is the only U.S.-based airline whose entire fleet is equipped to fly
RNP arrivals and departures, now authorized at 19 U.S. airports.
The company's fleet also is equipped with the Head-Up Guidance System.
This technology provides aircraft performance and navigation information in a
transparent window positioned between the captain and aircraft windshield,
allowing takeoffs and landings at the lowest minimum weather conditions
certified by the Federal Aviation Administration.
Based in Phoenix, Honeywell's $12 billion aerospace business is a leading
global provider of integrated avionics, engines, systems and service solutions
for aircraft manufacturers, airlines, business and general aviation, military,
space and airport operations.
Alaska Airlines and sister carrier Horizon Air together serve 94 cities
through an expansive network in Alaska, the Lower 48, Hawaii, Canada and
Mexico. For reservations, visit alaskaair.com. For more news and information,
visit the Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air Newsroom at alaskaair.com/newsroom.
SOURCE Alaska Airlines
Caroline Boren or Marianne Lindsey, both of Alaska Airlines, +1-206-392-5101;
or Karen Crabtree of Honeywell, +1-602-365-5255
