Astronics Max-Viz, is collaborating with the
Federal Aviation Administration in a research project to study operational
concepts for the use of Enhanced Flight Vision Systems (EFVS) in helicopters.
The study is designed to develop a basis for
possible application of enhanced vision systems in helicopters flying into
heliports.
While EFVS rules exist for approaches to
runways at airports, comparable regulations for EFVS do not exist for
helicopters flying to onshore or offshore helipads at heliports.
"Astronics is very pleased to provide both a
Max-Viz 1500 and a Max-Viz 2300 Enhanced Vision System (EVS) to the FAA for
integration onto its Sikorsky S-76 medium-size commercial utility helicopter
test aircraft for this study," said Astronics Max-Viz's
Dale Farr,
Manager of Sales and Business Development. "The Astronics Max-Viz EVS sensors
will be used in flight tests and data acquisition for EVS and EFVS
implementation," he added.
Flight-testing is
being conducted by the FAA's William J. Hughes Technical Center, at
the Atlantic City International Airport in New Jersey. The center
serves as the national scientific test base for the FAA. Programs
include research and development, test and evaluation, and
verification and validation in air traffic control, communications,
navigation, airports, aircraft safety, and security.
The Max-Viz 1500 sensor will provide baseline
testing, which will be followed with the installation of the Max-Viz 2300 for
observation of LED lighting on the blended high resolution long wave infrared
image. Flights are planned to occur in various weather and visibility
conditions, day, night and twilight and via alternative approaches. Results of
the study will be used by the FAA to evaluate the effectiveness of EFVS
technology for helicopter flight safety and operational effectiveness. |
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Video image displayed on a Genesys
Aerosystems IDU680 provides unprecedented level of situational awareness and
safety. |
Astronics' top of the line EVS, the Max-Viz
2300, provides pilots with an unprecedented level of situational awareness and
safety by enabling them to see more precisely during day or night in adverse
weather conditions, such as haze, smoke, smog and light fog, even in the darkest
night. At night, pilots can also see and avoid clouds for a smoother ride. Upon
landing, pilots using the Max-Viz 2300 can view the runway and terrain clearly
to avoid wildlife and unlit obstructions.
This advanced EVS is a lightweight,
affordable, multi-spectral imager that blends the separate signal from a long
wave infrared sensor with a visible light sensor to present pilots with a
single, sharp, real-time image. The blended thermal image is black and white,
but a separate color HD-compatible signal from the visible light camera is
available for routing to a cabin entertainment system or cockpit for a complete
color display. The Max-Viz 2300 system is certified to Radio Technical
Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA) DO-160G standards, which is the industry
standard for the environmental testing of avionics hardware and is recognized by
the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) as the de facto
international standard ISO-7137. |