The FAA recently issued a Supplemental Type Certificate to allow installation of Astronics Corporation’s Max-Viz 1500 Enhanced Vision System (EVS) on single-engine Pilatus PC-12 aircraft equipped with video-capable Multi Function Displays.
Astronics Corp. manufactures the Astronics Max-Viz 1500 Enhanced Vision System, which allows pilots to see more clearly at night and up to eight to 10 times farther than the unaided human eye in many obscured visibility conditions.
Max-Viz EVS is an infrared aviation system that detects the differences in heat of objects and terrain in an airplane’s environment, producing an accurate real-time picture of the surroundings in the absence of visible light. With thermal imaging, the EVS display enables pilots to see when flying at night, or in smoke, haze, and light fog, according to company officials.
The EVS can work as an alternative to, or in tandem with, light-based night vision goggle technologies and also complements synthetic vision displays, giving a real time confirmation of the flying environment, as well as supporting the transition from Visual Flight Rules to Instrument Flight Rules in marginal visual conditions.
Benefits of the Astronics Max-Viz Enhanced Vision System include:
- Ability to see and avoid runway/taxiway incursions
- Instant awareness of airport surface traffic on approach
- Unambiguous runway identification
- Aid in identifying taxiway edges and increased sign clarity
- Avoidance of parking ramp clutter
- An augment to TAWS display with clear visual picture of terrain
- Help avoiding nighttime cloud buildups for smoother flight
- Help avoiding inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions
- Help avoiding controlled flight into terrain
- Visual clarity through smoke, haze and light fog