Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer has begun working with Honeywell to investigate a GPS signal issue affecting E190-E2 and E195-E2 aircraft. The issue is reportedly linked to the Honeywell Primus Epic 2.0 avionics system installed on the aircraft.
The problem has mainly been observed during aircraft system start-up before flights. In some cases, restarting the system temporarily restores the GPS signal, although the issue may recur. During the malfunction, warnings have indicated that GPS 1, GPS 2 and RNP AR capabilities are unavailable.
Embraer and Honeywell are investigating the root cause and working to develop a permanent solution. Embraer said the GPS instability could cause disruptions to flight schedules, but that flight safety is not affected thanks to alternative navigation systems and procedures available on the E2 family.
The issue has resulted in cancellations and schedule changes for some operators, particularly Brazilian carrier Azul. Azul temporarily suspended operations with its E2 fleet before resuming flights later the same day. The full scope and exact cause of the issue are expected to become clearer following the investigation by Embraer and Honeywell.
