Single Antenna Radar Altimeter (SARA)
Overview
Honeywell’s Single Antenna Radar Altimeter (SARA) provides directors of maintenance increased accuracy, ease of installation and improved reliability by eliminating the design flaws of traditional altimeter systems. Unlike traditional altimeter systems that are designed to use multiple components that add installation complexity and decreased reliability, SARA eliminates “No Fault Founds” and saves operators approximately $3,800 per occurrence and roughly 10 hours of aircraft downtime according to Honeywell flight operations.
During development, we interviewed maintenance crews and collected critical feedback to make SARA easy to install and to get rid of typical installation problems. Given the relative ease in which SARA can be removed and replaced from an aircraft, in an unlikely event of a failure, it significantly reduces the aircraft down time. For example, in traditional altimeter systems, it’s common for one or both antennas to be installed in the wrong orientation. There is also a reduction in troubleshooting time due to corrosion issues (antenna to cable interface).
Troubleshooting a traditional altimeter system can require inspecting separate components installed in different areas of the aircraft which may not be easily accessible. In some cases, it also requires the use of highly specialized RF test equipment which may not be easily available, increasing aircraft down time significantly.
At the moment, SARA is only available for new, forward-fit aircraft.
Honeywell Key Advantages:
During development, we interviewed maintenance crews and collected critical feedback to make SARA easy to install and to get rid of typical installation problems. Given the relative ease in which SARA can be removed and replaced from an aircraft, in an unlikely event of a failure, it significantly reduces the aircraft down time. For example, in traditional altimeter systems, it’s common for one or both antennas to be installed in the wrong orientation. There is also a reduction in troubleshooting time due to corrosion issues (antenna to cable interface).
Troubleshooting a traditional altimeter system can require inspecting separate components installed in different areas of the aircraft which may not be easily accessible. In some cases, it also requires the use of highly specialized RF test equipment which may not be easily available, increasing aircraft down time significantly.
At the moment, SARA is only available for new, forward-fit aircraft.
Honeywell Key Advantages:
- Parts Count: 1 Line Replaceable Unit (LRU) vs. 6 components of traditional altimeter systems: 1 altimeter, 2 antennas, 2 cables and 1 optional tray.
- Ease of Installation and Replacement: 8 screws and 1 connector;
- Installing SARA provides the option of using gel gasket exterior which eliminates the need to seal the antenna to the aircraft which can save up to 8 hours of curing time when installing/replacing a new unit.
- Improve Reliability: >51,000 hours predicted Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF). Common failure mode of traditional systems is corrosion of RF cable to antenna interface. Interface in SARA is environmentally sealed.
- Compact Design: 6.1 x 2.8 x 6.2 inches - excluding antenna assembly length and width (155 x 72 x 158 mm).
- Significant Weight Reduction: Estimated 60% weight savings when compared to traditional altimeter systems
Compatible Aircraft
New Forward-Fit Aircraft
Specifications
Key Differentiators
- Certifications
- ITAR-Free
- Features & Benefits
- Approximately 15 minutes external removal and replacement
- Easy installation
- Honeywell’s Single Antenna Radar Altimeter doesn’t lock onto heavy rain or bright spots
- Value Proposition
- Single Line Replaceable Unit (LRU)
Dimensions
- Weight
- 1.90 kg
- 4.2 lbs.
- Dimensions
- 155 x 72 x 158 mm
- 6.1 x 2.8 x 6.2 inches
Performance Data
- Accuracy
- Accuracy above 75 ft.: ±2.0% of altitude Percentage
- Accuracy below 75 ft.: ±1.5 ft Percentage
- Roll & Pitch
- ±40° & ±30°
- Industry Standards
- ARINC 707-7b
- DO-160G
- DO-178C Level A
- DO-254
- EUROCAE ED-30
- FAA TSO-C87a
