FAA Approves Gulfstream’s GIV-SP FANS Upgrade

Gulfstream Aerospace has received STC approval for installation of a Future Air Navigation System (FANS) 1/A+ upgrade on the GIV-SP. The manufacturer’s FANS package includes a Honeywell Mark III communications management unit and L-3 datalink cockpit voice recorder, required for storing datalink messaging. The system integrates with satcom via an Arinc 741 interface. 

“Like our solution for [the] GV, this system was developed by Gulfstream and Honeywell to fully integrate with the GIV-SP flight deck,” said Derek Zimmerman, president of Gulfstream product support. “It is not a stand-alone system. The full functionality of the flight management system—autothrottle, autopilot, vertical navigation—is retained. Operators will save time and fuel with access to preferred routing across the North Atlantic Ocean, and training on the system is fast, since flight crews are already proficient with the flight management system and control display unit.”

The GIV-SP FANS STC allows operators to meet mandates for FANS equipage on certain North Atlantic routes and all MNPS airspace after Jan. 30, 2020. A more near-term advantage is the ability to obtain digital departure clearances (DCL) at some airports, now including Teterboro. Unlike the current pre-departure clearance system, which requires voice readback for any changes less than half an hour before departure, DCL is done entirely via the FMS in FANS-equipped airplanes, eliminating the need for pilots to try to break into crowded clearance delivery frequencies at busy airports. DCL will be available at 56 U.S. airports by year-end. 

“Voice communication is replaced by digital communication—text messaging,” said Zimmerman. “This reduces the potential for operational errors caused by language difficulties and results in more efficient and faster departures.”