19 September 2002

Successful certification of Thales / Smiths New FM for A320 family

13 September 2002 - On August 7th, 2002 the Thales/Smiths New Flight Management system received certification approval from the JAA for all A319/A320/A321 aircraft and engine types. An in-service evaluation is scheduled to start in September, and volume entry into service is planned for the beginning of 2003.

Thales Avionics and Smiths Aerospace have successfully developed the New FM by building on the strengths of each team partner. Smiths Aerospace is renowned for its flight management expertise, time proven with the 737 FMS. Thales Avionics draws on its extensive experience of Airbus aircraft systems, architecture, and man-machine interface, acquired during the development of most key systems fitted on Airbus aircraft.

The New FM is a highly attractive alternative for Airbus operators, boasting a solid market share. It introduces a new LCD MCDU, the largest navigation database capacity available on Airbus aircraft (5 mega bytes), superior flight planning flexibility (multi revision temporary flight plan, undo function, improved DIR TO...), and upgraded display functionality: "what you see is what you fly".

Thales Avionics, the European leader and world-renowned partner in avionics, utilities, and in-flight entertainment, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Thales, a world leader in professional electronics for civil and defense markets.