Runway Awareness and Advisory System
Encyclopedia
The Runway Awareness and Advisory System (RAAS) is an electronic detection system developed by Honeywell
. It provides aircraft flight crews with information concerning the aircraft's position relative to an airport's runway
(while operating on the ground at an airport).
) while the aircraft is on any taxiway
instead of a designated runway. Its function is possible by a software enhancement to the aircraft's TAWS or EGPWS system.
announced in September 2008 that its entire airline fleet of Boeing 737
s will be equipped with RAAS by the end of September. That will be the first airline fleet to be completely equipped with this system.
Honeywell Aerospace
Honeywell Aerospace is a major provider of aircraft engines, APUs, avionics, and other systems in the aerospace industry. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, it is a division of the Honeywell International conglomerate.-Aircraft engines:...
. It provides aircraft flight crews with information concerning the aircraft's position relative to an airport's runway
Runway
According to ICAO a runway is a "defined rectangular area on a land aerodrome prepared for the landing and take-off of aircraft." Runways may be a man-made surface or a natural surface .- Orientation and dimensions :Runways are named by a number between 01 and 36, which is generally one tenth...
(while operating on the ground at an airport).
Operation
RAAS functions by providing audible alerts to confirm runway identification, and also provides an aural alarm if it detects undue acceleration (indicating an attempt to takeoffTakeoff
Takeoff is the phase of flight in which an aerospace vehicle goes from the ground to flying in the air.For horizontal takeoff aircraft this usually involves starting with a transition from moving along the ground on a runway. For balloons, helicopters and some specialized fixed-wing aircraft , no...
) while the aircraft is on any taxiway
Taxiway
A taxiway is a path on an airport connecting runways with ramps, hangars, terminals and other facilities. They mostly have hard surface such as asphalt or concrete, although smaller airports sometimes use gravel or grass....
instead of a designated runway. Its function is possible by a software enhancement to the aircraft's TAWS or EGPWS system.
Entrance into service
Alaska AirlinesAlaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines is an airline based in the Seattle suburb of SeaTac, Washington in the United States. The airline originated in 1932 as McGee Airways. After many mergers with and acquisitions of other airlines, including Star Air Service, it became known as Alaska Airlines in 1944...
announced in September 2008 that its entire airline fleet of Boeing 737
Boeing 737
The Boeing 737 is a short- to medium-range, twin-engine narrow-body jet airliner. Originally developed as a shorter, lower-cost twin-engine airliner derived from Boeing's 707 and 727, the 737 has developed into a family of nine passenger models with a capacity of 85 to 215 passengers...
s will be equipped with RAAS by the end of September. That will be the first airline fleet to be completely equipped with this system.