Spirit Aeronautics announced today that the FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) is now complete and the company is offering Future Airspace Navigation System (FANS) 1/A capability for Bombardier's Challenger 604 aircraft equipped with Rockwell Collins Pro Line 4™ avionics.
The STC upgrade is straight forward and utilizes the current flight management system (FMS) and control display units (CDUs) coupled with a new communications management unit (CMU) to achieve integrated FANS 1/A capabilities. With FANS 1/A, Challenger 604 crews will be able to utilize preferred wind-efficient transatlantic routes which saves time and fuel. The upgrade also includes Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Contract (ADS-C) and Controller Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) which reduces pilot workload and improves clarity and accuracy of pilot communications with Air Traffic Control (ATC).
"This is what Challenger operators have been waiting for and it is truly one of those occasions where they better move fast to reserve a slot because the equipment and capacity levels will be stretched to the limits to meet the mandated deadlines. There are simply more aircraft that need FANS upgrades than installation facilities and equipment OEM's can keep up with", said Tony Bailey, President and COO of Spirit Aeronautics. "Even though the STC is complete, FANS installations are very complex and require a qualified installation facility that is not only approved by the equipment OEMs but have years of experience working with complex avionics installations like Spirit Aeronautics."
About Future Air Navigation System (FANS)
The concept of Future Air Navigation System (FANS) was introduced by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in 1983 as a way to establish a standard protocol for oceanic communications for aircraft. The evolution of the system included the adoption of Automatic Dependent Surveillance (ADS) and Controller Pilot Data Link Communication (CPDLC) which allows for better aircraft control in congested airspace. Evolving technologies that utilize FANS are included in the FAA Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) with regulatory mandates requiring compliance starting in December 2017.
A new era for German aerospace began today as Deutsche Aircraft officially opened its Final Assembly Line (FAL) at Leipzig/Halle Airport. Joined by senior government representatives Christian Hirte an...
Airways International has entered into a new five-year partnership with the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM), extending the use of its SureSelect air traffic control (ATC) candidate assessm...
Boeing and Ethiopian Airlines have announced a new cargo fleet expansion agreement, with the African carrier ordering eight 777-8 Freighters and two additional 777 Freighters. The investment will enab...
The Airbus A350F freighter (MSN 700), the first of two flight test aircraft, has successfully completed its maiden flight. Equipped with dedicated flight test instrumentation, the aircraft spent 4 hou...
