NAVBLUE launches RunwaySense, a new service enabling airlines and airports to assess and report runway conditions using the aircraft as a sensor

NAVBLUE is pleased to announce the launch of the RunwaySense service, allowing
airlines and airports to accurately assess and report runway conditions by using
Airbus aircraft as sensors.

Airports can use the aircraft data to inform their runway clearing operations, better timing
runway clearing activities or targeting application of de-icing chemicals. Furthermore, with
the mandatory ICAO Global Reporting Format (GRF), due to come into effect in November
2020, this data contributes to airports reporting requirements with accurate, near real-time
runway performance information.

Airlines can use this data to better monitor their operations as they share the data their
aircraft have generated internally, or access data generated by other operators.
RunwaySense is based on BACF+ (Braking Action Computation Function), software
released by NAVBLUE in 2019 on the Airbus single-aisle family. BACF+ generates a
message on the aircraft accurately reporting the condition of the runway it’s just landed on,
against the FAA’s Take-off and Landing Performance Assessment (TALPA) Runway
Condition Assessment Matrix (RCAM). This data, already available to the pilot through the
MCDU (Multi Function Control and Display Unit), will now be accessible from NAVBLUE
via dedicated channels which can be selected to best fit the user’s operational
requirements.

Users will be able to access the data via a NAVBLUE web-based tool or an Application
Programming Interface (API) allowing them to integrate the data feed into their existing
software platforms.