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Mark V-A EGPWS Improves Flight Safety as Landmark Mark V Sunsets
Mark V-A EGPWS Improves Flight Safety as Landmark Mark V Sunsets
Honeywell Aerospace is phasing out the landmark Mark V enhanced ground proximity warning system, and is making it easy for operators to transition to the more capable and reliable Mark V-A.
What You Will Learn in This Article
- How the advanced features and enhancements of Mark V‑A EGPWS deliver greater reliability and capability compared to the legacy Mark V system.
- Honeywell Aerospace’s approach to phasing out Mark V while ensuring minimal disruption to operators’ ongoing operations.
- An overview of transition options and the key steps operators need to take to upgrade to Mark V‑A EGPWS.
When Honeywell Aerospace introduced the Mark V enhanced ground proximity warning system (EGPWS) in 1996, the company set a new standard in flight safety technology .
The Mark V advanced situational awareness by integrating a digital terrain database with precise aircraft position data, enabling forward-looking terrain alerting and significantly reducing controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).
Fast forward 30 years, and the Mark V is ready to retire and be replaced by a next-generation EGPWS, the Mark V-A.
Why Honeywell Aerospace is Moving to Mark V-A
“We are sunsetting the Mark V to transition operators to a more modern, capable and supportable EGPWS platform,” said Honeywell Aerospace Offering Management Director Steve Fisher.
“In today’s world, our customers need capabilities such as advanced runway awareness and protection against GPS jamming and spoofing, which can impact EGPWS performance and pilot situational awareness,” he added. "Obsolescence is another major issue. The Mark V uses obsolete hardware that is nearly impossible to find and maintain.”
The Mark V-A solves these issues with hardware upgrades like a faster processor and more memory. It also offers a 25% boost in reliability, reduced weight and new safety features. Upcoming features like SURF-A, available in the future, will provide alerts to help prevent runway incursions, wrong runway operations and other surface hazards.
"Moving to a common, next-generation platform lets us better align upgrades, certifications and support. Operators get the highest safety, reliability and readiness through every phase of flight," Fisher said.
How the Mark V-A Transition Impacts Operators
In August 2020 Honeywell Aerospace announced that support, repair and service on the Mark V would end and that customers flying the Mark V should make plans to convert to the Mark V-A by the end of 2024.
Honeywell Aerospace has worked closely with many Mark V customers to develop transition plans and will accelerate outreach efforts in advance of their renewal subscription deadline.
"Current database subscriptions will not be affected by the transition and will remain active through their current end date. However, operators can’t renew subscriptions after April 30, 2026, unless they plan with us to transition to Mark V-A, retire aircraft still using Mark V, or they currently do not have a path to upgrade to MKV-A."
— Steve Fisher, Offering Management Director
Subscribers receive regular updates on terrain, obstacles and runways, enabling precise alerts and situational awareness for all flight phases.
What Operators Need to Do
The Honeywell Aerospace Technical Services Team will work with operators to identify requirements, define next steps, and develop a tailored transition plan, Fisher said.
“Honeywell Aerospace is dedicated to advancing flight safety and supporting the aviation community with breakthrough innovations and responsive customer service,” he added.
“That commitment continues today as we work closely with our airline customers to ensure they have the tools, support and upgrade paths needed to keep their aircraft operating safely and efficiently.”
We’re Here to Help
EGPWS specialists can help operators develop a transition plan tailored to their specific requirements. Please contact your Honeywell Aerospace representative or call us at 800-601-3099 to discuss the best path forward.
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