Pilot situational awareness during operation and while taxiing is a critical component in ensuring safety. Honeywell's Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS) serves as an independent monitor using the aircraft’s position, altitude, air speed and glide slope, combined with internal terrain and airport databases to predict a potential conflict between the aircraft's path and an obstacle or terrain. The purpose of the EGPWS is to help prevent accidents caused by Controlled Flight into Terrain (CFIT) or severe wind shear. In order to maximize EGPWS efficiencies, Terrain Database (TDB) Updates are routinely required.
Operators whose EGPWS uses Linear Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) Cards to update the TDB have expressed concerns that the older technology cards are becoming harder to acquire. Some have also indicated that the use of PCMCIA cards and related Ground Support Equipment (GSE) tools yield inconsistent results in the field. Honeywell is investigating options for improving the reliability as well as customer experience of downloading and writing EGPWS TDB files to PCMCIA Cards. In the interim, to provide continuous support for our customers Honeywell worked with Teledyne Controls to provide an alternative method to load TDB directly into the EGPWS.
Teledyne has developed a PC Card Emulator (PCE) to be used with the Portable Maintenance Access Terminal (PMAT) 2000 to load TDB into the EGPWS computer. Both Teledyne and Honeywell have successfully tested the PCE loading in EGPWS computers in a laboratory environment. This solution will eliminate the need for linear PCMCIA Cards. The PMAT 2000 and a PCE Kit are available for direct purchase from Teledyne Controls. For customers interested in ordering the existing PCMCIA card, Smart Modular Technology (SMT) has planned to support this for the next five years and beyond. These cards can be ordered through Honeywell or directly from SMT.
Honeywell has also released a Service Information Letter to inform all MK V/VII EGPWS operators about the availability of an alternate method of programming Linear PCMCIA Cards to perform TDB updates. Existing Teledyne customers should contact their Teledyne Regional Representative or via +1-310-765-3600 or www.teledynecontrols.com. Smart Modular Technologies customers interested in this option should contact them at +1-800-942-0018 or via email at info@smod.com.
Teledyne applicable products:
PMAT 2000 Kit Part No. 80000-05
PCE Kit Part No. 80096-02
EGPWS Loader Software Engine SW Media Part No. 82155-xx (xx denotes the latest version)
EGPWS Parts Reader SW Media Part No. 2239555
SMT applicable products:
Blank cards Part No. CUG10548F (64MB)