FAA certifies GE's flight management software update

GE Aviation announces the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification of the flight management system (FMS) software Update 10.8 for Boeing Next-Generation 737s. The new software is standard fit for all 737 production airplanes starting February 2009. The FMS 10.8 software update provides improved operation, increased navigation data base size for storage of a worldwide size data base with 95% spare memory for growth, and supports the APB Blended Winglet installation on all 737 Classic and Next-Generation airplanes.The FMS provides precision navigation compliant with the Required Navigation Performance (RNP) standards that allow reduced separation from terrain and other aircraft. RNP approach procedures also allow the aircraft to descend to lower altitudes when flying on instruments in reduced visibility conditions. The FMS provides output of the aircraft 4-dimensional trajectory to be used by Air Traffic Control to enable integrated air-ground operations.