Delta to Upgrade MD-88 and MD-90 Fleet With New Cockpits and Navigator Systems

April 22, 2013

Delta Airlines announces plans to upgrade its MD-88 Fleet and M-90 Fleet with an enhanced avionics suite, developed by Innovative Solutions & Support.

Source MarketLine NewsWire (Formerly Datamonitor)

According to Delta Airlines, the enhanced avionics suite, developed by Innovative Solutions & Support, Inc., will allow the aircraft to fly shorter flight paths and take advantage of continuous-descent, Required Navigation Performance (RNAV) approaches. The addition of GPS capabilities as well as the incorporation of Data Link and ADS-B will allow pilots to fly safer as the three systems aid flight crews in identifying nearby air traffic, weather and terrain on flat panel displays in the cockpit, the company said.

"In addition to deploying technology enhancements, Delta continues to work closely with the FAA as it advances NextGen procedures - many of which are being developed at key hub airports," said Steve Dickson, Delta's senior vice president-Flight Operations. "Delta continues to invest in NextGen and looks forward to the FAA's continued progress in systemwide implementation of these improvements, especially at these key hubs, which promise to deliver real savings as well as safety and efficiency enhancements. "The cockpit upgrades also build on Delta's commitment to give our flight crews the advanced technology tools they need to perform their job safely and efficiently for our customers." Installation of the enhanced flight deck technology across the MD-88 and MD-90 fleet is slated to begin in early 2014 and will be completed by IS&S technicians at Delta TechOps facilities. The process is expected to take approximately two years, the company added.