The alphanumeric database identifier in the NAV DATA field (which contains the year) is presented correctly and provides 100 percent assurance that the correct database was loaded. However, on a few systems, this field overflows for the year 2000 and beyond and is displayed as 111 or /100, with an additional zero wrapped to the next line of the display, rather than /YY.
On most FMSs the year of effectivity is indicated by two digits as /YY (/98 indicates the year 1998, for example). The ACTIVE navigation database can only be changed while the airplane is on the ground. The IDENT or A/C STATUS page contains information about the current and previous cycle of the NDB, notably the month and year of effectivity. To allow maintenance crews and flight crews to verify the currency of the NDB prior to dispatch, an identification (IDENT) or aircraft status (A/C STATUS) page is provided on the flight crew entry and display device or control display unit (CDU) of the FMS. The affected systems include the FMS and INS. ( See "Regulatory Requirements for Current Navigation Data") Though recording and maintenance systems use dates, they do not perform any processing based on those dates or use the month/day format only and so are not susceptible to Y2K problems. The survey revealed that the only airborne systems checking date are those containing an embedded navigation database (NDB). Flight management system (FMS) with either the Honeywell or Smiths flight management computer (FMC).ĪIRBORNE SYSTEMS WITH DATE EFFECTIVITY CHECKS.
Honeywell nav database cycle upgrade#
Results of Supplier Evaluations and Upgrade Pathsīoeing separated its airplane systems into 12 functional areas of responsibility ( see table 2) for the purposes of the Y2K assessment. All responses were entered into a relational database to assist with sorting, generating reports, and compiling other status information.
Honeywell nav database cycle software#
Suppliers of equipment with embedded software were asked to respond to a set of questions in specific areas ( see table 1). This approach was aligned with the company's goal to prepare computers for the Y2K rollover a year early, by December 31, 1998. The approach Boeing used for airborne systems included supplier evaluation and reporting results and providing upgrade paths for affected systems. However, even a simple system such as a clock or a communications radio control panel often uses software, potentially making it susceptible to Y2K effects. The search for potential Y2K effects was restricted to systems with embedded software that use a date, which made it possible to exclude systems and components that do not contain embedded software. The assessment showed that a very small number of airborne systems on Boeing airplanes and some immediate support equipment will be affected by the Y2K date rollover. To ensure uninterrupted service for operators, a Boeing team assessed the effect of the Year 2000 (Y2K) on airborne systems for all Boeing airplane models currently in production, out of production, and in development. The year "00" may appear in sequence before "99," for example, or software may consider "00" to be invalid. Many computer systems use only two digits to define the year, such as "98" for "1998." When the year changes from 1999 to 2000 (and beyond), applications, operating systems, microcode, databases, processes, monitoring equipment, and so on may have logic or arithmetic problems.
Upgrade programs are now in place to replace the affected systems and ensure operators uninterrupted service both during and after the date change. Boeing has surveyed its commercial airplane fleet and identified some nuisance flight deck effects that could occur for a few airborne systems. Heightened attention to the potential effects of the change exists in both the media and among the traveling public, as commercial airplanes rely on computers for many functions. With the Year 2000 less than 18 months away, questions remain about how the date change will affect the normal operation of many mainframe computers, computing systems, and computer programs. Readiness of Boeing Airplanes for Year 2000 Operations Readiness of Boeing Airplanes for Year 2000 Operations Year 2000 Readiness Disclosure