Printable Version Innovative FedEx flight safety system will improve air cargo safety, enhancing service levels

FedEx has recently been awarded with a Supplemental Type Certificate by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for a new avionic system about to be installed in its fleet of Boeing MD-10 freighters.

FedEx is the first commercial carrier to receive this certification for its new innovative flight safety technology which uses Honeywell International Head Up Display (HUD) systems in combination with the Enhanced Flight Vision System (EFVS) developed by Elbit Systems (part of America Aviation-Kollsman Business Unit). The innovative system dramatically improves flight safety during take-off and landing in adverse weather conditions and, by using the most advanced electronic and liquid crystal display technologies, places it in the forefront of avionic visual technologies.

Once activated the system dramatically enhances a pilot’s ability to fly during periods of poor weather and darkness and in conditions when visibility is adversely affected by smoke, fog, haze and other hazards, while simultaneously allowing the pilot to view critical flight data.  A major advantage of the system (similar to the infrared night-vision technology used in military aircraft) is that the pilot can maintain a heads-up view of the surroundings, thus eliminating the transition time normally needed to look down at cockpit primary flight information.

Apart from the new system critically improving safety margins for pilots, aircraft crews and their cargos, FedEx and its customers will significantly benefit from the improved service levels resulting from pilots being able to see approach and runway lights in difficult conditions and therefore being able to fly into and out of airports during periods of poor weather and visibility.

The new system is the culmination of several years of development carried out in association with FedEx’s technology advisors and suppliers, and reflects an important aspect of its strategy to continually upgrade and improve its air transport fleet and maintain its leading role as the world’s largest cargo carrier. 

FedEx will commence the installation of the HUD/EVS system in its MD-10 fleet during the summer of 2008 and aims to have completed all such work by 2012.  FedEx is also seeking FAA approval to install the system in its entire trunk fleet. For more information, click here.