Rockwell Collins Future Airspace Navigation System designed to benefit business jet operators, maintenance technicians, ANSPs
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa, 16 Oct. 2014. Rockwell Collins 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 upgrade builds on the aircraft’s current flight management system (FMS) and control display units (CDUs), making installation and training straightforward for operators, and incorporates a new communications management unit by Rockwell Collins. FANS 1/A capability adds to a growing list of Challenger 604 aircraft avionics updates that prepare operators for airspace modernization worldwide, officials say.
With FANS 1/A, Challenger 604 aircraft operators will have access to preferred wind-efficient transatlantic routes to save both time and fuel. Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Contract (ADS-C) and Controller Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC), which together make up the FANS package, reduce pilot workload, and enhance the clarity and accuracy of pilot communications with Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) in oceanic and remote airspace worldwide.
“The installation of our FANS 1/A solution on the Challenger 604 aircraft requires minimal downtime and associated labor costs, making it the most cost-effective offering in the market,” says Craig Olson, vice president and general manager, Business and Regional Systems for Rockwell Collins. “Further, training on the system is fast and less costly since flight crews are already proficient with the onboard FMS and CDU.”
Rockwell Collins has already fielded several other FANS 1/A solutions for business aircraft, including approximately 200 new Pro Line Fusion-equipped Bombardier Global 5000 and Global 6000 aircraft and Gulfstream G280s. The company is also delivering FANS 1/A as part of the Bombardier Vision flight deck for Challenger 300 and Challenger 350 aircraft, and has announced availability for Falcon 50EX and 2000 operators with its Pro Line 4-to-21 flight deck upgrade.
The FANS 1/A upgrade for Challenger 604 aircraft will be available from Rockwell Collins in the second half of 2015.
Courtney E. Howard | Chief Editor, Intelligent Aerospace
Courtney enjoys writing about all things high-tech in PennWell’s burgeoning Aerospace and Defense Group, which encompasses Intelligent Aerospace and Military & Aerospace Electronics. She’s also a self-proclaimed social-media maven, mil-aero nerd, and avid avionics and space geek. Connect with Courtney at [email protected], @coho on Twitter, on LinkedIn, and on Google+.
