Owners of older Honeywell GNS-X flight management systems have until the end of the month to take advantage of special pricing on new GNS-XLS units, the maker announced here yesterday. Buyers who take advantage of the promotional offer will receive a $3,000 discount off the price of a new GNS-XLS FMS, as well as free software that introduces the latest worldwide navigation capabilities to the unit, according to the company.

Developed to help extend the operational life of the GNS-XLS product, the software upgrade allows operators to take advantage of new operating standards in Europe for precision area navigation (PRnav) and in the U.S. for terminal and en route Rnav. Buyers can load the software directly to the unit using a software kit supplied by Honeywell, which the avionics maker will provide free of charge to anyone taking delivery of a new GNS-XLS FMS this year.

The GNS-XLS includes an internal GPS receiver and interfaces with external sensors including VOR, DME, Tacan and inertial nav. A radio management function allows it to automatically select VOR and DME stations, depending on signal strength and location. Drawing from a worldwide Jeppesen nav database, the GNS-XLS system incorporates long-range, great-circle en route, approach and vertical navigation (Vnav) capabilities. It also supplies data to the enhanced ground proximity warning system (EGPWS) and is basic area navigation (BRnav)-compliant. The unit has a four-inch color liquid crystal display.

Honeywell (Booth No. 406) also announced yesterday that its Aviation Service authorized service center now will provide repairs and LRU exchanges for the Ovation cabin management system, including cabin displays and passenger controls. Spare LRUs will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week through Honeywell’s SPEX exchange and rental program.