FedEx to Equip Air Fleet with Advanced Safety Systems.MEMPHIS Memphis, city, ancient Egypt Memphis (mĕm`fĭs), ancient city of Egypt, capital of the Old Kingdom (c.3100–c.2258 B.C.), at the apex of the Nile delta and 12 mi (18 km) from Cairo. , Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 13, 1998--Federal Express Corp. (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange :FDX See full-duplex. fdx - full-duplex ) has initiated a voluntary program to equip its cargo jet aircraft fleet with three advanced safety systems, making it the first air cargo air cargo: see aviation. carrier to voluntarily undertake such an extensive safety equipment initiative. "Our commitment to reliable service begins with the safe operation of our aircraft," said Gil Mook mook n. Slang An insignificant or contemptible person. [Probably alteration of moke.] , senior vice president of FedEx Air Operations. "These sophisticated navigation and safety systems, when installed, will provide immediate safety benefits and will take our aircraft fleet into the 21st century." Beginning this year, the most advanced version of the Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (1) See adaptive cruise control. (2) A passenger car system that detects objects on the road that the driver may not be able to see. Using radar or infrared sensors, distant objects, such as a deer crossing the road at night or in a fog, are projected onto the (TCAS TCAS Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System TCAS Traffic Collision Avoidance System TCAS T-Carrier Administration System TCAS Terminal Control Address Space (MVS/TSO) TCAS Technical Control and Analysis System II) will be incorporated into the FedEx fleet. This system will have a unique upgrade feature making it capable of using the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast Automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) is a function on a properly equipped aircraft or surface vehicle that periodically broadcasts its state vector (horizontal and vertical position, horizontal and vertical velocity) and other information. (ADS-B ADS-B Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast ) navigation and collision-avoidance technology. ADS-B, which is based on satellite systems already in orbit, is now being developed in several joint government-industry programs. The third system, Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System Ground proximity warning system (GPWS) is a system designed in 1967 by Don Bateman Chief Engineer, Flight Safety Avionics, Honeywell to alert pilots if their aircraft is in immediate danger of flying into the ground. (E-GPWS), will be incorporated into FedEx aircraft on an accelerated schedule. "We want to take full advantage of the finest safety systems available," said Mook, "and to accelerate the progress of government-industry partnerships developing the new satellite-based technologies. These next-generation capabilities will further safe and efficient operations in the crowded skies projected for the next century." The White House Commission on Aviation Safety and Security, the National Civil Aviation Review Commission, and many of the FAA's own studies have shown the effectiveness of FAA-industry partnerships. FedEx and other cargo operators, working with the Cargo Airline Association, have urged the government to compress the proposed decade-long ADS-B development effort and begin to use the satellite-based technology in the next five years. The planned installation schedule calls for 95% of the FedEx jet fleet of 334 aircraft to be fitted with the TCAS II collision-avoidance systems within four years. A parallel program will equip the current fleet with E-GPWS systems within three years. ADS-B capabilities will be incorporated into the TCAS II systems as the new technology is developed and made available by the manufacturer. The overall capital cost of the program is approximately $100 million. Federal Express connects areas that generate 90% of the world's gross domestic product in 24-48 hours with door-to-door, customs-cleared service and a money-back guarantee. The company's unmatched air route authorities and infrastructure make it the world's largest express transportation company, providing fast and reliable delivery for more than 3 million items in 211 countries each working day. The company employs approximately 140,000 people and has more than 43,000 drop-off locations, 600 aircraft and 39,500 vehicles in its integrated global network. FedEx maintains electronic connections with more than 850,000 customers via FedEx Powership(R), FedEx Ship(R) and FedEx interNetShip(SM). Federal Express reported revenues of $11.5 billion for its fiscal year ended May 31, 1997. -0- NOTE TO EDITORS: Federal Express press releases are available on the World Wide Web at http://www.fedex.com . CONTACT: Federal Express Corporation, Memphis Darlene Faquin, 901/395-5406 |
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