Safety Feature For GA, Business Aircraft

By Gene Yarbrough

Forward Vision Monday unveiled their EVS-600 enhanced vision system. The EVS-600 combines the long-wave infra-red capabilities of the EVS-100 system with visible light, overlaying the two outputs on top of one another. That gives pilots the ability to see visible light sources juxtaposed with the otherwise invisible infra-red images. The two combined images allow the pilot to reference such things as taxi lights, particularly the newer generation of LED taxi lights that infra-red only systems were unable to detect. This ability to see objects via visible light and IR is crucial information for pilots in low visibility conditions according to Patrick Farrell, CEO of Forward Vision.

Farrell pointed out that the public needs more education about the benefits of the product, saying that some of the potential consumers don’t really understand how it works until they actually fly an aircraft equipped with the system. He said static displays of the product are not giving enough information to the public to convince them of its value. As a way to draw attention to the product, the company has donated a Forward Vision system to this years AOPA sweepstakes aircraft, a Cirrus SR22 G3.

Farrell described the roots of the company as beginning in the experimental market, initially targeting kit and homebuilders. The company has expanded its marketing to include OEM’s such as Cirrus, Cessna, and American Champion Aircraft. Currently the company has STC approval for the Cirrus SR20 and SR22 as well as 158 models of the Cessna line. Farrell said that aggressive STC certification efforts for other models are ongoing. Farrell also said that Forward Vision is currently partnering with Atlantic Aero of Greensboro, NC utilizing their DAS services and engineering staff to meet design and certification requirements. Additional announcements are expected for other OEM’s within the next few weeks.

Some unique applications of the EVS systems include firefighting water bombing. The EVS system “sees” thru smoke as if it weren’t there. Farrell said an unexpected use comes out of Africa where the system is used on aircraft performing night time spraying operations for insect control.

Pricing for the EVS-100 system begins at $14,995 not including installation cost or monitor. The EVS-600 system begins at $17,995.

When asked about the ability for the system to interface with “glass panel systems” Farrell indicated that the system can be integrated with the AVIDYNE Integra R9. It is not compatible with GARMIN PFD’s but is adaptable to GARMIN MFD’s and IFD’s.

FMI: www.forward-vision.net