Honeywell is expanding its premium navigation database subscription service to offer flight management system guided visual procedures as a stand-alone option. These were initially offered only as part of the broader Required Navigation Performance - Authorisation Required (RNP-AR) Navigation database subscription.

Visual approaches are commonplace at most airports on good-weather days and require a pilot to visually manoeuvre the aircraft to the runway while maintaining separation from traffic and terrain. However, in a challenging environment, a visual approach can create the possibility of unstable approaches. Honeywell's flight management system (FMS) guided visual procedures provide lateral and vertical guidance, designed to create more consistent, stable approach paths.

“Honeywell's FMS guided visual procedures can help reduce pilot workload, enable a more comfortable experience for passengers and more importantly help reduce the likelihood of an unstable approach,” says general manager, connected aerospace Karen Miller. “Be aware that failure to maintain a stabilised approach often results in a landing that is too fast or too far down the runway, increasing the potential for a runway excursion or loss of control.”

“This is a big step forward for safer flight operations with FMS-driven Lateral Navigation/Vertical Navigation (LNAV/VNAV) procedures that greatly enhance the safety margins. Kudos to Honeywell,” adds Nat Iyengar, captain, VPCOR, FDM analyst at Jet Aviation Business Jets in Hong Kong.