Garmin's New Runway Safety Technology
Garmin has introduced a groundbreaking technology aimed at reducing runway incursions, which are incidents where an unauthorized aircraft, vehicle, or person is on a runway. With incursion rates on the rise, this technology comes at a crucial time to enhance safety in aviation.
What is Runway Occupancy Awareness (ROA)?
Runway Occupancy Awareness (ROA) is designed to improve situational awareness for pilots at busy airports. It is the first certified software solution that uses Surface Indications and Alert (SURF-IA) technology.
- How It Works: ROA uses ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast) traffic information. This technology alerts the crew about potential runway incursions caused by nearby aircraft and ground vehicles, whether they are airborne or on the ground.
For example, if a plane is on the runway while another is approaching to land, ROA will alert the pilot to prevent a collision.
FAA Certification and Availability
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has already certified ROA for the G1000 NXi-equipped Cessna Caravan. Garmin plans to expand this certification to more aircraft, including those equipped with their G5000 systems. This will eventually cover popular models like the Cessna Citation Excel and XLS series by September 2024.
Enhanced Safety Features
Phil Straub, Garmin's Executive Vice President, emphasizes the need for such technology: "With the rate of runway incursions increasing, there is a real need for increased safety tools in the cockpit."
- Visual and Aural Alerts: ROA offers both visual and audio alerts to pilots. For instance, it might highlight the runway in yellow or red on the Synthetic Vision Technology (SVT) depending on the threat level.
- Comprehensive Alerts: It covers traffic landing, taking off, or taxiing on the runway, as well as traffic on approach or on a crossing runway.
Building on Existing Garmin Safety Tools
ROA is part of a broader suite of Garmin's Terminal Safety Solutions, complementing existing systems like Runway Overrun Awareness and Alerting System (ROAAS), Garmin SafeTaxi, and Garmin SurfaceWatch. These solutions collectively aim to boost pilot confidence and safety while navigating busy airport environments.
In summary, Garmin's ROA offers a significant leap forward in aviation safety, providing pilots with critical tools to navigate complex airport scenarios safely and efficiently.
