Fri, Jun 29, 2007
Worked With Authorities In Europe, US, Canada
Talk about a team effort.
Eurocopter recently worked with the airworthiness authorities EASA,
the FAA and Canada's TCCA to earn the first certification providing
the EC145 with an Night-Vision Goggle (NVG) aided operation
capability. Eurocopter is the first Original Equipment Manufacturer
(OEM) to offer this capability to civil operators.
The certification program has been performed on an EC145
configuration based on the French Sécurité Civile
configuration. This configuration is using, among others, the
MEGHAS display systems and CMA3000 flight management system.
Eurocopter says the certified configuration consists of the
installation of a Night Vision Imaging System (NVIS) including
internal and external aircraft lighting and the operation presently
with the following Night Vision Goggles: ITT F 4949 and/or
NOGALIGHT NL-93 as well as of application of the rules defined in
the dedicated Flight Manual Supplement (FMS 9.2-48).
The helicopter manufacturer called certification a major step
enabling civil operators to access NVG operations, thus increasing
their mission capabilities and safety during night operations.
Besides the advantage represented by an amended type certificate
permitting certification of a complete fleet, this certification
offers the implementation of a fully integrated and comfortable
solution, developed by the manufacturer itself. This capability
extension may be offered for helicopters already in service, even
if its implementation is primarily intended for new
helicopters.
Two technical
requirements have to be fulfilled to extend a configuration to NVG
aided operation capability, according to Eurocopter:
- Application of the NVIS rules to all the light sources in the
helicopter, which implies adaptation or replacement of all devices
not compliant with NVIS. The effort linked to this action depends
on the content of each respective helicopter configuration.
- Adaptation of the lighting setting system.
The next step for Eurocopter is to extend this NVG aided
operation capability also to the EC135 platform and, on customer
request, to develop and certify other configurations, supporting,
if required, also further night vision goggle systems.
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