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Ground proximity warning system

nounStandard termAviation

An avionics system designed to alert pilots if their aircraft is in immediate danger of flying into the ground.

A ground proximity warning system (GPWS) uses radar altimeter data, airspeed, and descent rates to monitor an aircraft's height above the terrain. If the system detects a dangerous closure rate with the ground or an unsafe terrain clearance, it triggers loud aural warnings like PULL UP or TERRAIN. Enhanced versions integrate GPS and terrain databases to provide predictive warnings before the aircraft is directly over a hazard.

Heard on the job

We got a sink rate warning from the ground proximity warning system when the downdraft caught us on short final.

Also heard as

  • GPWS
  • EGPWS

Related terms

Avionics

The electronic systems used on aircraft, artificial satellites, and spacecraft.

Approach

The final phase of a flight where an aircraft aligns with the runway for landing.

Terrain

The physical surface of the earth beneath an aircraft in flight.

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