Boeing System Enables 747s To Navigate By Satellite

HONG KONG, Nov. 29, 1995 -- The Boeing 747-400 is aviation's first jetliner to be equipped and certified with a new air traffic management system that can potentially save the airlines millions of dollars by using satellite navigation and communication, said David Allen, Boeing CNS/ATM project manager. Allen made the comments today in a presentation at the ATC Asia Pacific '95 Conference.

An upgrade to the flight management system, Future Air Navigation System 1 (FANS 1), allows the 747-400 to make primary use of Global Satellite Positioning System (GPS) equipment to determine accurate positions anywhere in the world. A two-way data link system allows the aircraft to communicate with air traffic control and airline flight planning operations.

"The FANS 1 upgrade represents the first step in improving the industry's Air Space Management System which integrates the core communication, navigation and surveillance performance requirements," said Allen.

"Today's Air Space Management System uses lateral and longitudinal separation of approximately 80 nautical miles over the ocean," Allen said. "Because FANS 1 provides accurate automatic position reports, it initially will reduce both longitudinal and lateral separation to 50 nautical miles. Further refinement is expected to reduce separation to 30 nautical miles by the end of 1996."

This significant reduction in separation permits aircraft to fly more direct and fuel-efficient routes, especially over oceans and undeveloped countries where surveillance radar is not available. In-flight course adjustments and prompt clearances, via the two-way data link, enable pilots to seek the most cost-effective routes.

The FANS 1 system includes GPS as the primary navigation sensor, Automatic Dependent Surveillance and air traffic control and airline company data link.

"The development of FANS 1 for the 747-400 was a cooperative effort by airlines, ATC service providers, Honeywell and Boeing," said Allen. "Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific, Qantas and United Airlines participated in most aspects of the development effort. They selected the functions to be implemented and helped design much of the flight deck interface."

"The Boeing Company," said Allen, "is in the process of implementing FANS 1 on the 777, 757, 767 and 737 airplanes."