Honeywell's Surface Alert software is focused on reducing the number of runway incursions. [Credit: iStock]
Key Takeaways:
Honeywell is developing Surface Alert (SURF-A) software to reduce runway incursions and surface incidents, which are increasing in frequency at busy airports.
SURF-A utilizes GPS data, ADS-B equipment, and advanced analytics to provide pilots with real-time aural and visual alerts of potential collisions on runways or taxiways.
This "third set of eyes" technology enhances flight crew situational awareness, targeting the most serious categories (A and B) of runway incursions.
Following successful flight tests, Honeywell plans further demonstrations and anticipates releasing SURF-A within 18-24 months to significantly improve aviation safety.
One of the axioms of aviation is you can do everything right, but if someone else messes up— like starting their takeoff roll before your airplane clears the active runway—you still get hurt.
Runway incursions happen, and Honeywell is focusing on software that will help reduce their numbers.
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Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.
