KANSAS CITY, Missouri – New Cockpit Alert System in Final Testing
Engineers are wrapping up the final testing of a cockpit alert system that aims to prevent runway near misses. Honeywell Aerospace has developed a system called the “Surface Alert System,” or “Surf-A,” designed to detect when an unauthorized aircraft gets in the way of a plane cleared for takeoff or landing.
This system issues two audio alerts to pilots if a conflicting aircraft approaches. The first alert sounds 30 seconds prior to a potential collision, followed by a second alert 15 seconds before impact. Doug Rybczynski, a Honeywell test pilot, mentioned that while these may seem like small intervals, they are crucial when dealing with the speeds of aircraft.
The alert features an automated voice providing warnings about “runway traffic.” One pilot commented on its effectiveness, stating, “That’s a very good thing; I’ll call you out.”
During testing, Honeywell’s crew conducted a flight from Kansas City’s downtown airport to Topeka, Kansas. They parked a small aircraft on the runway to trigger the Surf-A system, which prompted the test pilot to execute a go-around maneuver upon hearing both alerts.
This demonstration recalled a close call from 2023 at Austin Bergstrom International Airport, where a FedEx B767 was cleared to land despite poor visibility. As it approached, the pilot saw a Southwest Airlines B737 on the runway, leading to a two-second go-around to avoid a collision. Honeywell noted that the Surf-A system could have provided an additional 28 seconds of warning.
The Surf-A system utilizes “Smart X” technology for federal aviation management and has been in development since 2008. It helps determine if the pilot is taking off improperly or at unsafe speeds.
Since initiating development in 2020, Honeywell responded to an increase in runway incursions by implementing “ADS-B” technology, allowing for better tracking of aircraft positions and their trajectories related to potential collisions.
In 2024, the FAA reported 1,664 runway intrusions, with seven resulting in close calls between two aircraft. So far this year, there have been 657 reported incursions.
Shea Feyereizen, a technical fellow at Honeywell, remarked that there aren’t many alert systems currently available to notify passengers about potential runway conflicts.
The FAA emphasizes the importance of enhancing airport infrastructure to reduce these incidents, having allocated nearly $12 billion since 2021 for improvements.
Feyereizen concluded that ultimately, the pilot remains the critical line of defense against runway incursions, noting, “The pilot can do everything right, but he’s on the path to disaster.”
Honeywell is presenting its prototype to major airlines and aims for system certification by September, with hopes of implementation in commercial flights by early 2026.
