Sun, Apr 10, 2011
Company Adopts Joint Task Force Recommendation
Somewhat topical in light of recent news about emergency
landings due to evidence of smoke in the cockpit or cabin, a UPS
announcement that it would equip its air fleet with the Emergency
Vision Assurance System (EVAS), makes it the first international
air carrier to take such a step. Installation of the enhanced
safety equipment comes at the recommendation of the Joint
UPS-Independent Pilots Association (IPA) Safety Task Force.
"Safety ownership is a core value at UPS," said UPS Airlines
President Mitch Nichols. "We have long been committed to protecting
our employees, aircraft and customers' shipments and this new
equipment will add yet another layer of safety."
"Since forming the safety task force last fall, the IPA and UPS
have mobilized quickly to research and recommend fire safety
enhancements," said IPA and Safety Task Force member Capt. Bob
Brown, lauding the level of cooperation between union and company.
"EVAS is an important step forward." In the event of smoke in the
cockpit, EVAS helps maintain a pilot's critical field of vision by
displacing the smoke with a transparent Inflatable Vision Unit
(IVU).
"EVAS allows pilots to see their flight path, vital instruments
and perform the key tasks of flying in dense-smoke situations,"
said Bertil Werjefelt, the president of Vision Safe, which
manufactures the device. "It's a real safety enhancement and we're
very pleased to be working with UPS Airlines."
Installation is expected to begin with UPS's B-767 fleet, after
which the equipment will be added to the primary over-water
aircraft, the B-747-400 and MD-11. Full fleet equipage will be a
multi-year process as the company works to obtain proper
certifications and cycle aircraft through modification. UPS and the
IPA will continue their joint safety and fire mitigation efforts,
evaluating current and emerging types of technology and
equipment.
VisionSafe Corporation was formed to explore various new ways to
provide vision for individuals in common land and air environments
as well as marine, submarine and scuba diving environments. In the
process, the company developed and patented the EVAS system for
pilots who might have to deal with smoke in a cockpit. The system
has been certified by the Federal Aviation Administration since
2001.
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