Technology supplier Honeywell Aerospace has said goodbye to its Convair 580
test aircraft. The aircraft was built in 1952 and has been with the company
since 2000 for the development of GWPS and TCAS systems.
 
The Convair, with registration N580HW, flew for United Airlines between
1952 and 1966, after which it transferred to Frontier Airlines, Gem State
Airlines, Aspen Airways, Renown Aviation, Allied Signal and Honeywell.
 
During her time at Honeywell, the Convair conducted countless risky test
flights, such as straight to mountains to test the Ground Proximity Warning
System (GWPS), and across thunderstorms to try out a 3D weather radar.
 
The aircraft gets a worthy end of life through a Canadian museum, where it
will be exhibited.
 
Honeywell Aerospace has a considerable fleet of test aircraft. It now
consists of two Gulfstream G550s, a Gulfstream 650, a Dassault Falcon 7X, a
Dassault Falcon 900EX, a Bombardier Challenger 300, a Beech King Air and an
AgustaWestland AW139. The largest aircraft is a Boeing 757-200.

--- D'Bridge 3.99 SR41