"Enhanced Vision System" Available Through Company Service
Centers/Dealers
Piper Aircraft has selected Forward Vision Systems' EVS-100
and EVS-600 Enhanced Vision Systems (EVS) for installation on the
Malibu, Matrix and Mirage models. In addition to offering this
technology as an option on all new versions of those PA-46 models,
Piper and Forward Vision will be teaming up to offer STC-approved
systems for Malibu, Matrix and Mirage aircraft in service
worldwide.
Piper will also offer an optional system on new Piper Meridians,
as well as an STC-approved system for Meridians already in service,
once an EVS is certified to address the Meridian's higher
performance envelope (maximum approved altitude of 30,000 feet in
particular).
"Our focus is on meeting and exceeding the wants and needs of
our customers at every level, and we do that in part by providing
the very best technology our industry has to offer," said Piper
President & CEO Kevin J. Gould. "Piper supports EVS technology
as a substantial improvement in the safety of flight and
situational awareness. Forward Vision's EVS virtually turns
darkness into daylight, giving pilots a real-time, real-world view
of what's in front of the airplane, both on the ground and in the
air."
Patrick Farrell, Founder & CEO of Forward Vision, applauded
Piper's enthusiastic support of the certification program. "We are
proud that Piper has endorsed our EVS 100 and EVS 600-the best
general aviation certified EVS technology-to offer to their fleet
of cabin-class piston singles," Farrell said. "Malibu, Mirage, and
Matrix pilots - as well as Meridian pilots, once an EVS system has
been certified for Piper's flagship turboprop -- will really
appreciate the added functionality and greater margin of safety
that EVS will give them."
EVS systems - commonly known as infrared or thermal imaging
cameras - present a real-time picture outside the cockpit to offer
pilots a view that penetrates haze, fog, smoke and precipitation
eight to 10 times farther than the unaided human eye. It requires
no programming or interpretation and permits pilots to see animals
or unlit obstacles during nighttime taxi and takeoff.
In flight, pilots can use EVS to avoid clouds, fly between
layers, and note detailed ground features out of the night
landscape. EVS offers daytime safety advantages as well, allowing a
clearer view to the pilot in reduced visibility such as smoke, haze
or even thin fog. The Forward Vision EVS 100 provides pilots with
an infrared 40-degree by 30-degree field of view, while the EVS 600
adds to that the ability to distinguish visible light fused to the
infrared image and presenting both on the display.