American Airlines 298 A321s to Get New ACSS-Certified ADS-B

FLORIDA- Fort Worth-based American Airlines (AA) will now deploy the updated software across its entire fleet of 298 Airbus A321 aircraft.

This move comes after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved ACSS’s application for Supplemental Type Certification (STC) of its ADS-B In product, SafeRoute+.

Photo: By Alex Beltyukov – RuSpotters Team – Gallery page,
CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=27356091

American Airlines A321 ADS-B

This certification marks a crucial step in the ongoing trial between the FAA, AAL, and ACSS, a joint venture of L3Harris and Thales. The trial aims to showcase the advantages of enhanced surveillance tools in improving pilot situational awareness, operational efficiency, and aviation safety.

The ADS-B In Retrofit Spacing (AIRS) project, which utilizes SafeRoute+ technology, began in September 2017. Initially focused on evaluating Interval Management (IM) and CDTI-Assisted Visual Separation (CAVS) at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX), the project expanded to include CDTI-Assisted Separation (CAS) operations at Dallas Fort Worth (DFW).

During the trial, all AAL A321 aircraft received SafeRoute+ ADS-B In functionality alongside mandatory ADS-B Out capabilities. This upgrade allows pilots to access ‘assigned spacing goal’ information, enabling Air Traffic Control to optimize airspace capacity, enhance arrival spacing accuracy, and improve airline fuel efficiency.

The trial has yielded promising results, with pilots accepting 90% of IM requests. These positive outcomes have prompted the FAA to extend the trial period for another year.

Alan Crawford, President of Commercial Aviation at L3Harris, emphasized the STC approval’s importance in enhancing the ADS-B In system’s effectiveness. He also highlighted the company’s agility in responding to feedback from the trial’s initial phase.

As an industry leader in ADS-B In technologies, ACSS expects the AIRS project to provide valuable insights into the technology’s design aspects and its impact on controllers and pilots. The company remains committed to incorporating trial feedback to improve its product and is collaborating with aircraft manufacturers to support SafeRoute+ ADS-B In offerability on new aircraft deliveries.

Photo: By Anna Zvereva from Tallinn, Estonia – American Airlines, N116AN, Airbus A321-231, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=87516816

World’s Largest A320 Family Aircraft Operator

Earlier this year, American Airlines announced that it would enhance its narrowbody fleet by placing orders for 260 aircraft. The new order includes 85 Airbus A321neo, 85 Boeing 737 MAX 10, and 90 Embraer E175 aircraft.

The order portfolio also incorporated options and purchase rights for an additional 193 aircraft. With this latest announcement, the airline has 440 aircraft on order, ensuring an extension of its aircraft order book into the next decade.

Over the past ten years, the A321 and A321neo aircraft have been pivotal in transporting American customers within the U.S. and to short-haul international destinations. American Airlines continues to hold the distinction of being the world’s largest single-carrier operator of A320 family aircraft.

In response to the rising demand for a premium travel experience, American Airlines will initiate a retrofit of its Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft starting in 2025.

What are your thoughts on American Airlines’ strategy to modernize its narrowbody fleet? Let us know in the comment section below.

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