Honeywell Unveils SURF-A System to Boost Runway Safety

In June 2024, Honeywell Aerospace conducted a demonstration flight of its Surface Alert (SURF-A) system, an advanced cockpit alerting software designed to enhance runway safety by providing pilots with direct aural and visual warnings of potential runway hazards. The demonstration took place between Seattle's King County International Airport/Boeing Field and Yakima Air Terminal/McAllister Field in Washington, utilizing Honeywell's Boeing 757 test aircraft. During the flight, scenarios simulating real-world runway incursions were tested, including situations where another aircraft was present on the runway during landing approaches. The SURF-A system successfully alerted pilots to these hazards, providing warnings up to 30 seconds before a potential collision.

SURF-A integrates with Honeywell's Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS) and utilizes GPS data, Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) equipment, and advanced analytics to detect and alert pilots of traffic hazards on or near the runway. The system provides immediate aural and visual notifications, ensuring pilots are aware of potential hazards before they become critical. This proactive approach is designed to complement existing runway safety solutions and can be installed as a software update to EGPWS and Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance Systems (TCAS).

Honeywell aims to have SURF-A certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) by early 2026. The certification process involves collaboration with regulatory bodies to establish performance and testing requirements, as there are currently no specific FAA advisory circulars or regulations for such a system.

The development and implementation of SURF-A have significant implications for aviation safety. Runway incursions pose substantial risks to passengers, crew, and aircraft. By providing pilots with timely alerts, SURF-A aims to reduce the likelihood of such incidents, thereby enhancing overall flight safety. This advancement is particularly crucial given the increasing air traffic and the challenges faced by air traffic controllers due to staffing shortages.

The aviation industry has witnessed several near-miss incidents and runway incursions in recent years, underscoring the need for improved safety measures. For example, in February 2023, a FedEx 767-300 freighter narrowly avoided a collision with a Southwest Airlines 737 at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Such incidents highlight the critical importance of systems like SURF-A in preventing potential accidents.

As the aviation industry continues to face challenges related to runway safety, Honeywell's SURF-A system represents a significant advancement in mitigating the risks associated with runway incursions. Through technological innovation and collaboration with regulatory bodies, SURF-A has the potential to become a cornerstone in the ongoing effort to enhance flight safety worldwide.