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I was watching a video of a Boeing 737 NG land, and heard the "5" callout.

Is that an airline option or something?

FreeMan
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lpydawa
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  • I would be willing to bet that it's related to this question/answer, which says that if they maintain the same altitude (probably during the flare in this case) for more than four seconds, it will make a new announcement with the current altitude: https://aviation.stackexchange.com/a/47098/69. The airplane that I fly has a 10' callout, but on a couple of occasions over the six years that I've flown it, I've heard it call out 5', and thought that it was odd (I probably floated longer than normal and didn't realize that was the cause!). – Lnafziger Nov 05 '19 at 16:03
  • Thanks for sharing the video link :) @Lnafziger in the video the callouts "50, 30, 20, 10, 5" all come very close together, so it cannot be related to that. I have also never read anything like that in a Boeing manual. – Bianfable Nov 06 '19 at 18:49

3 Answers3

5

The Rockwell Collins EGPWS, that is probably the most widely used system (you can tell right away by the voice that sounds exactly like the character "Data" from Star Trek - Next Generation; I'd swear it's the same actor's voice) comes with the full range of callout altitudes/heights and airlines pick and choose which ones they want by "configuration strapping" settings (connector pin jumper configurations in the mounting tray) when the units are installed in the avionics bay.

John K
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  • Fo you have a link to the configuration mechanism? I've never heard of such mechanism and would like to learn more. – Manu H Nov 05 '19 at 14:48
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    On older avionics there would be physical jumper hardware at the connector that provides on-off inputs or DIP switches on the back of the avionics unit. On modern ARINC 429 avionics there is usually what is called a Configuration Strapping Unit (CSU) https://avionicsales.com/product/configuration-strapping-unit-822-1363-002-csu-3100/ which is a module full of DIP switches that do the "jumper" function (basically a mode on or off signal) for the various on-wing setup options. Do some rummaging around on the web for CSU and you'll probably stumble onto some training material. – John K Nov 05 '19 at 17:52
  • Configuration using DIP switches and hardware jumpers? What is this, 1992??? Oh, yeah, aviation... technology move slowly in the aviation industry - that is probably the latest update flying. – FreeMan Nov 06 '19 at 14:10
  • Don't know for sure, but on the latest avionics suites like Proline Fusion I'm pretty sure it's done by software. – John K Nov 06 '19 at 19:43
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Yes, that must be an airline option. My Boeing 737 NG FCOMv2 says (15.20.17 Warning Systems - System Description):

Approach Callouts

Radio Altitude Callouts

The GPWS provides the following altitude callouts during approach:

  • 2,500 feet – TWENTY FIVE HUNDRED
  • 1,000 feet – ONE THOUSAND
  • 500 feet – FIVE HUNDRED
  • 100 feet – ONE HUNDRED
  • 50 feet – FIFTY
  • 40 feet – FORTY
  • 30 feet – THIRTY
  • 20 feet – TWENTY
  • 10 feet – TEN.

Note: Callouts at 1000 feet and 500 feet are based on barometric altitude above the landing field elevation; callouts at 2,500 feet, and below 500 feet are based on radio altitude.

The FIVE callout is not listed here and I actually never heard it (could you link the video?). But since not all airlines have all of these callouts, it must be an airline option.

Community
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Bianfable
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    Any idea why they switch from radio to barometric then again to radio? I'd have expected it to be barometric above a certain altitude then radio all the way down – DeepSpace Nov 05 '19 at 11:41
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    @DeepSpace The 2500 feet callout is where the RA comes alive (it is also not displayed on the PFD before). It also warns you that you are now close to terrain (it is part of the Ground Proximity Warning System after all). The following callouts are barometric because above uneven terrain, this would not be very helpful in determining time until touchdown (1000 and 500ft are usually the altitudes at which you have to be stabilized in VMC and IMC respectively). The rest is RA again because now you are very close to the runway and more accuracy is needed. – Bianfable Nov 05 '19 at 11:46
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    I think you mean, stable at 1,000 in IMC and 500 in VMC, yes? – Ralph J Nov 05 '19 at 15:59
  • @RalphJ Oops, yes you're right of course, I mixed that order up. – Bianfable Nov 05 '19 at 16:02
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    This page says by default it is ...30, 20, 10, but "Customers can also request special heights, such as 60ft." – PerlDuck Nov 05 '19 at 18:59
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It depends on how long you flare. If it's over 4 seconds it'll call out with. I see it as the manufacturer's option as the airlines won't care about it.

I've noticed this too, I fly the Boeing 737NG-900 and from time to time if I flare for too long it'll call out with 5. I know this isn't helpful but thought I might give an opinion.

FreeMan
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branden
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    Thanks for your answer. At the end you state "give an opinion". If this is really just your opinion, then it doesn't qualify as an answer here (please take the [tour] and look through the [help], specifically on answering to see what we expect). If it is factual, then please feel free to [edit] your answer to remove that statement, and, if possible, back it up with a quote from a relevant manual (and a link to said manual, if it's available online, or at least note what document you're pulling from) that supports your answer. – FreeMan Sep 01 '22 at 15:13