Bush Intercontinental Airport Marks Arrival of Groundbreaking Technology to Increase Flight Capacity

HOUSTON, April 22, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) became fully operational with the first precision approach flown by a United Airlines aircraft using Honeywell's SmartPath Ground Based Augmentation System (GBAS) on Monday, April 22.  IAH is one of two airports in the country participating in a pilot program, in partnership with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), United Airlines and Honeywell to demonstrate the use of GBAS. This new system delivers a cost-effective solution to increase airport capacity, decrease air traffic noise and reduce weather-related delays.

"The Houston Airports are among the most innovative and progressive in the nation when it comes to safety and efficiently connecting passengers to destinations around the world," said Mario Diaz, director of the Houston Airports.  "It is imperative that we continue to invest in new technology that enhances the aviation sector."

Honeywell's SmartPath GBAS system augments GPS signals so they can be used for precision navigation in the approach and landing phases of flight. The flexible approaches provided by GBAS may produce a significant reduction in aircraft delays and carbon emissions at airports. The project is a component of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen).  It's a migration from what is considered to be a ground-based air navigation system to a satellite-based navigation system which uses the same GPS that you use in your cars today.

"There is a great opportunity for SmartPath to modernize the flight experience for airline passengers," said Pat Reines, senior manager, SmartPath Ground Based Augmentation Systems at Honeywell Aerospace. "We're looking forward to helping Houston passengers and visitors' experience more flights that depart and arrive on time."

United Airlines will operate the flights with a Boeing 737 aircraft equipped with global navigation satellite system (GNSS) landing system (GLS) technology to receive the GBAS landing approach data. United was an early leader in NextGen technology, taking delivery of GLS-equipped aircraft since 2009.

"We believe that GBAS is the air carrier precision landing system of the future," said Captain Joe Burns, United's managing director of technology and flight test. "We continue to work closely with the FAA and our industry partners on GBAS and other NextGen initiatives."

GBAS can provide aircraft with guidance to as low as 200 feet above the surface of the runway, referred to as a Category I approach.  The FAA is currently validating the requirements for a GBAS to support Category II and Category III precision approach operations which would guide an aircraft to the surface of the runway. GBAS represents the only currently feasible satellite-based navigation solution for Category II/III precision approach operations.

Houston Airport System (HAS) served more than 50 million passengers in 2012, ranking as the 4^th largest multi-airport system in the U.S. Houston's three airports, George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), and Ellington Airport (EFD) contribute more than $27 billion to the regional economy. IAH is the 7th busiest airport in the nation and is the largest hub for the world's largest airline. IAH and HOU offer 21 airlines providing nonstop flights to more than 180 destinations worldwide. For more information, visit www.fly2houston.com or follow us on Twitter @IAH or @HobbyAirport.

SOURCE Houston Airport System