FAA Formally Recognizes Safety Benefit of EVS as Low-Visibility
Landing Aid
Two and one-half years after Gulfstream received FAA
certification of its Enhanced Vision System (EVS), vision-enhancing
technology has received a significant "vote of confidence" with a
rule change recently issued by the FAA. The new FAR Part 91 rule
change revises the regulations for landing under IFR, allowing
FAA-certified enhanced flight vision systems (EFVS) to be used to
determine "enhanced flight visibility."
Pilots using EFVS can now descend and operate aircraft
below decision height, decision altitude, or minimum descent
altitude by utilizing the EFVS image to detect the
required visual cues and to determine flight visibility. The
regulation acknowledges that certain enhanced vision systems are
adequate for the pilot to "see" down to an altitude of 100 feet
above the touchdown zone. At that point, the pilot must see the
required cues without the aid of the EFVS.
The Gulfstream EVS remains the only system of its kind certified
by the FAA. The cryogenically cooled detector in the Gulfstream EVS
provides a level of sensitivity that gives it the ability to
identify objects through fog and rain - a capability unmatched by
other currently available vision enhancing systems. In the rule
change, which was issued Jan. 9, 2004 and becomes effective Feb. 9,
2004, the FAA noted the following:
"The proposed rule, therefore, could allow for operational
benefits, reduced costs, and increased safety for aircraft equipped
with an EFVS. Use of an EFVS with a HUD (Head-up Display) may
improve the level of safety by improving position awareness,
providing visual cues to maintain a stabilized approach, and
minimizing missed approach situations."
The Gulfstream EVS incorporates a specially designed,
forward-looking infrared (FLIR) camera that projects an infrared
real-world image on the pilot's Honeywell Head-Up Display (HUD).
Available as standard equipment on the G550 and G450 and as an
option on G300, G400 and G500 aircraft, the system addresses many
of the issues raised in the FAA's Safer Skies Agenda. The
Gulfstream EVS enables the flight crew to see runway markings,
taxiways, adjacent roads and surrounding areas in conditions of low
light and reduced visibility. Additionally, the Gulfstream EVS also
helps crews avoid runway incursion and hazards that would otherwise
not be readily visible.
The recent FAA rule change also addressed the subject of runway
incursions.
"In addition to using an EFVS to satisfy new Part 91.175 (1)
requirements, an EFVS may allow the pilot to observe an obstruction
on the runway, such as an aircraft or vehicle, earlier in the
approach, and observe potential runway incursions during ground
operations in reduced visibility conditions. Even in situations
where the pilot experiences the required flight visibility at the
DH (decision height) or MDA (minimum decision altitude), he or she
could still use an EFVS to have better situational awareness than
may be possible without it especially in marginal visibility
conditions."
Gulfstream Aerospace, a wholly owned subsidiary of General
Dynamics, worked in close cooperation with Kollsman Inc., to
develop the Gulfstream EVS for use on large-cabin, long-range and
ultra-long-range Gulfstream business jets.
"As pioneers of EVS, Gulfstream and Kollsman have recognized the
safety benefits the system offers to operators. This ruling
unequivocally validates the original concept and subsequent years
of hard work," said Pres Henne, senior vice president programs,
engineering and test, Gulfstream. "The expediency in which the FAA
made this ruling is a clear indication of the incalculable value
this system will bring to both the business and commercial aviation
industries."
First certified for the GV in October 2001, the Gulfstream EVS
has been installed on more than 50 GV aircraft. Since December 2002
when the FAA certified the system for use on the GIV-SP, the
Gulfstream EVS has been installed on 11 GIV-SP aircraft. To date,
Gulfstream has delivered five new aircraft - a G550, three G400s
and a G300 - with EVS onboard. In addition to customer aircraft,
the EVS also has been installed on a total of six developmental
aircraft used in the company's G550 and G450 flight test
programs.