Story ID: 482
Honeywell Adds Guided Visual Approach FMS Option
By: David Donald
Caption: Option helps prevent unstable and wrong-runway approaches
Word Count: 204
Honeywell Aerospace has introduced a standalone flight management system (FMS) Guided Visual Approach option as part of its navigation database subscription services. Previously the aid had only been available as part of the broader Required Navigation Performance-Authorization Required (RNP-AR) subscription. The option is specifically aimed at the business aviation sector.
Visual approaches are commonplace during good weather, requiring the pilot to visually maneuver the aircraft onto the approach path and runway, while maintaining terrain and traffic separation. In certain conditions this can become challenging, increasing the risk of an unstable approach that results in the aircraft landing too fast or too far down the runway. This, in turn, can lead to loss of control or runway excursion.
There is also the danger of a pilot approaching the wrong—and potentially much shorter—runway at either a large airport or a nearby airfield.
The module allows the FMS to generate lateral and vertical navigation (LNAV/VNAV) procedures for more consistent and stable approach paths to the correct runways. This makes the approach more comfortable for passengers and reduces pilot workload, but primarily enhances the safety of making visual approaches in challenging conditions to a significant degree.