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FAA Certifies Garmin Runway Occupancy Awareness System
By: Matt Thurber
Caption: Following first certification in the Cessna Caravan, other Garmin-equipped aircraft to be approved
Word Count: 316
Garmin’s Runway Occupancy Awareness (ROA) has been certified by the FAA, “marking the first certified software solution utilizing the Surface Indications and Alert (SURF-IA) technology,” according to the Olathe, Kansas avionics manufacturer. The first aircraft and initial certification of ROA is for the G1000 NXi-equipped Textron Aviation Cessna Caravan.
ROA uses the equipped aircraft’s GPS position and ADS-B In traffic information to determine whether other aircraft (airborne or on the ground) or ground vehicles might cause a runway incursion or present a potential collision opportunity. The potential incursion or collision information is presented to the pilot as a visual crew-alerting system caution and warning announcement on the primary flight display (PFD) and by the runway highlighted in yellow or red on the PFD’s synthetic vision system. Similar caution and warning annunciations will be displayed on the SafeTaxi map on the multifunction display or window.
Traffic that generates a potential hazard includes aircraft landing, taking off, stopped, or taxiing on the runway; aircraft on approach to the ROA-equipped aircraft’s runway or a crossing runway; and any traffic on the runway at which the ROA-equipped aircraft is holding. Warnings include visual and aural alerts and range from “no immediate collision hazard to a warning level alert where a collision risk could occur within 15 seconds.”
In September, Garmin expects the FAA to approve ROA as part of its G5000 flight deck supplemental type certificate for the Citation Excel, XLS, XLS+, and XLS Gen2. Plans call for ROA certification in additional Garmin-equipped aircraft.
“With the rate of runway incursions increasing, there is a real need for increased safety tools in the cockpit,” said Phil Straub, Garmin executive v-p and managing director of aviation. “Equipping pilots with this technology can reduce the risk of runway incursions and help provide confidence for pilots navigating busy and complex airports.”