#United States #Dallas #Honeywell #Southwest Airlines #SmartRunway

Honeywell's Runway Safety Technology Selected by Southwest Airlines

In an exciting development for aviation safety, Honeywell has announced that Southwest Airlines is activating its entire fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft with the innovative SmartRunway and SmartLanding technologies. This implementation aims to significantly enhance safety during critical phases of flight, such as taxi, takeoff, and landing.

Enhanced Safety Solutions

The SmartRunway and SmartLanding systems leverage the Honeywell Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS) already integrated into Southwest's aircraft fleet. To date, over 700 aircraft have been activated with these advanced solutions. This technology works by providing visual and aural alerts to flight crews, helping them maintain awareness and avoid potential hazards on the runway.

Jim Currier, the President and CEO of Honeywell Aerospace Technologies, emphasized the increasing challenges pilots face today, including adverse weather conditions and traffic congestion in tightly regulated airspace. He stated, "Today's pilots face increasing challenges including unpredictable weather and dense traffic in limited airspace, forcing them to make split-second decisions during takeoff and landing. Fortunately, as the challenges evolve, so does the technology that provides the information they need in real-time."

Cutting-Edge Technology for Real-World Issues

The SmartRunway and SmartLanding systems proactively notify pilots if they are at risk of flying too fast, approaching at the wrong altitude, or heading toward an incorrect runway, effectively breaking the sequence of events that could lead to runway accidents. Both systems have received certification for compatibility with most Airbus and Boeing aircraft and various business aviation platforms, indicating a wide applicability of this life-saving technology in the aviation industry.

As part of its commitment to safety, Southwest Airlines continually invests in enhancing its technology, prioritizing the safety and comfort of both pilots and passengers. Andrew Watterson, the Chief Operating Officer at Southwest Airlines, noted, "Safety is at the heart of everything we do at Southwest. Honeywell's SmartRunway and SmartLanding software will provide our pilots with enhanced situational awareness to ensure the highest level of safety while operating on runways throughout the network."

Future Developments

Looking ahead, Honeywell is also testing a next-generation runway safety technology called Surface Alerts (SURF-A), which is expected to be certified in 2026. This innovative cockpit alert system utilizes GPS data and advanced analytics to give pilots direct alerts about potential runway traffic, further enhancing safety measures in the aviation industry.

The collaboration between Honeywell and Southwest Airlines strengthens their longstanding partnership. Notably, Southwest is the world's largest operator of the Boeing 737 platform and has previously chosen Honeywell's flight-deck systems for a significant order of 737 MAX airliners, reinforcing the importance of this collaborative effort.

In conclusion, the implementation of Honeywell's SmartRunway and SmartLanding technologies marks a significant step forward in runway safety, setting a new industry standard. Both airlines and technology providers must continue to work together to deliver safer skies for everyone.

For more information about Honeywell Aerospace Technologies and their commitment to aviation safety, visit Honeywell Aerospace.