Honeywell Develops Optional Antenna for RDR-4B

Asian Aerospace 2000 -- Honeywell has developed an optional 24-inch antenna for its RDR-4B predictive windshear radar that can fit in the nosecones of certain regional jets and larger business aircraft.

Scheduled to be granted a supplemental type certificate by FAA next month, the update will bring windshear detection capability to a greater number of aircraft, including almost all those providing scheduled airline service, according to Frank Daly, president of Honeywell Commercial Electronic Systems. Predictive windshear detection capability previously was limited mostly to large transports due to the 30-inch antenna required.

The new 24-inch antenna also includes automatic terrain-based radar tilt management to reduce pilot workload. This keeps the antenna tilt set for best weather detection. Traditional radar tilt management systems do not take terrain height into account and require frequent pilot attention. The feature requires integration with an onboard Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System, which employs a built-in terrain database. Auto-tilt also will be available for aircraft with a 30-inch antenna.

Honeywell has been testing the new antenna and autotilt system on its Convair testbed.

By Paul Proctor