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The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) and Air Traffic Management Bureau have completed first flight with Honeywell Aerospace’s SmartPath system at Shanghai Pudong International Airport.

The GPS-based precision landing capabilities flight demonstrates the role of GPS-based precision landing systems in safe and efficient aircraft operations primarily during poor-weather conditions.

Using lateral and vertical information of an aircraft position, the precision landings provide accurate approach and landing.

According to Honeywell Aerospace, the FAA-certified SmartPath is a cost-effective system that helps decrease air traffic noise, reduce weather-related delays, as well as reduce operating costs for aircraft operators and air navigation service providers. It also helps increase airport capacity.

Honeywell Aerospace Asia Pacific airlines vice-president Brian Davis said: "China’s air traffic has grown exponentially over the years, driven by domestic and international travel.

"These approaches use the most advanced technology featuring both curved paths and variable geometric glide paths, delivering advanced precision navigation."

"The adoption of Honeywell’s SmartPath at Shanghai Pudong International Airport marks a milestone for the modernisation of air traffic management in China, where this new technology can ease aircraft delays, reduces emissions and improves airport efficiencies in one of the fastest growing economies in the world."

SmartPath is said to replace technological limitations of other instrument landing systems (ILS), and uses global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) to provide accurate position based on digital data, allowing aircraft to fly flexible approach paths.

Honeywell and Hughes Aerospace have worked together to develop procedures for the trial.

Hughes Aerospace president and CEO Chris Baur said: "As Honeywell’s partner in performance-based navigation, Hughes worked closely with Honeywell, CAAC and the airlines to develop the first GNSS Landing System instrument approaches in China."

"These approaches use the most advanced technology featuring both curved paths and variable geometric glide paths, delivering advanced precision navigation."

Image: SmartPath helps decrease air traffic noise and reduce weather-related delays. Photo: courtesy of Honeywell International Inc.