Max-Viz, Inc., has
achieved the first in a long series of planned FAA certifications
of its EVS-1000 Enhanced Vision System (EVS) on helicopters. The
Bell 212, Bell 412 and Bell 412EP helicopters have been awarded FAA
STC approval for the installation of the Max-Viz EVS-1000.
"This FAA certification opens the door to another significant
market for us," said Jean Menard, director of sales for Max-Viz.
"We're looking at potential installations in more than 200
registered U.S. civilian Bell 212 and 412 helicopters. Add to that
civilian helicopters from other countries and U.S. military and
government rotor aircraft -- and the window of opportunity for
sales is even greater."
Many aviation industry
experts have concluded that every registered civilian aircraft and
helicopter will be equipped with some type of situational awareness
and enhanced vision system by the year 2010.
Erlanger Health Systems in Chattanooga, Tennessee is a first
customer of the EVS 1000. "For the first time we can "see" what is
below us at night as we transport patients in emergency and other
situations," says Steve Straughen, Director of the Erlanger LIFE
FORCE operation. "The Max-Viz system gives us a clear picture of
the terrain throughout our operating area, from the mountains to
the valleys. It allows us to see fields, ridges, bodies of water,
road ways, clearly. It would be hard to beat for increasing
situational awareness."
The EVS-1000 sensor is located on the helicopter belly between
the skid and the rotorcraft center line. The EVS sensor elevation
look angle can be manually adjusted to the specific preference of
the crew or helicopter operation for either for EMS, corporate,
medi-vac, border patrols and more. The EVS-1000 Display is
positioned at eye level above the main instrument panel on a flip
down hinged bracket and can be viewed by either crew member.
"Our complimentary and
independent safety of flight system turns another page in
aviation's ultimate goal of achieving true all weather operational
capability," added Menard.
Max-Viz and its dealers currently hold certifications for the
Bell 212/412, CL-601, CL-604, Global Express and Falcon 50. They
also have STC's pending for the Falcon 900 series, the Sikorsky
S-76, the Pilatus PC-12, Lear 35 and Beech 200. Most of these STC's
are expected to be in place by Q1 2004. The EVS-2000 Enhanced
Vision System, specifically developed for Cessna by Max-Viz is also
a standard factory option on the Citation X and Sovereign.