One STC is Here, and More are Just Around the Corner

Max-Viz, Inc. is currently pursuing FAA Supplemental Type Certification (STC) certification for eleven business aircraft and helicopter types, in addition to the STC it received for the Bombardier Challenger in March. These certifications will cover both Max-Viz’s EVS-1000 and EVS-2000 product series.

The Max-Viz systems are useful in ground operations, and also provide information in-flight, and near-ground. When ANN caught up with Max-Viz's Jean Menard at AEA last month, he explained that the system was like, "a FLIR for the pilot." While the infrared images are necessarily in grey tones, and the system is not intended to be a substitute for pilots' eyes, it can see things that pilots can't -- through fog, or light clouds -- or at night.

New business jet certifications include the Falcon 50, Falcon 900EX and Lear 35. These certifications are for installation of EVS-1000 systems, which use a single uncooled, long-wave infrared (IR) sensor to generate video-like images of the scene in front of an aircraft in flight and on the ground that can be displayed on any video-capable display in the cockpit or cabin. Infrared images can augment normal visual scan when visibility is degraded and is particularly effective at night, in smoke, haze and smog. These certifications are scheduled to be completed in July.

What the pilot sees	What Max-Viz sees

Dassault Aviation has advised Max-Viz, Inc. that its EVS-1000 Enhanced Vision System has received temporary certification on Falcon 900EX s/n 106 to evaluate the system until the end of December 2003.

This certification allows the EVS-1000 to be evaluated by various Dassault and customer pilots on this demonstrator aircraft to determine the effectiveness of this system in viewing terrain and obstacles in various atmospheric conditions, including darkness. The trial is expected to last until December 2003. The EVS images are displayed on both the Honeywell FMS 820 center pedestal CDU’s and a separate display mounted on the co-pilot’s side panel. The latter is capable of displaying EVS imagery through all phases of flight.

What the pilot sees	What Max-Viz sees (note clouds)

In response to customer interest Max-Viz is also pursuing both US and foreign retrofit certifications for several helicopter types, including Bell 206, 407 and 412 aircraft, and Aerospatiale 350 and 355. All of the FAA STC’s are scheduled to be completed before the end of the year.

The company is exploring another market for the future -- helicopters. At the AEA convention, Mr. Menard wondered out loud how useful it would be, to be able to see, in nighttime or foggy conditions. There is already being tested a 3-panel screen, to provide such "artificial vision" for military operations; and it could, we mused, find great utility in Search and Rescue and security operations, without requiring too much additional imagination.

FMI: www.max-viz.com