EVS-100 FLIR To Be Optional Equipment On Husky
by ANN Correspondent Dave Ziegler
In a joint news conference Monday at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh,
Aviat Aircraft and Forward Vision announced the Forward
Vision EVS-100 (Enhanced Vision System) will be available as
optional equipment on new Aviat Huskys and as a retrofit item for
existing Husky aircraft, making Aviat the first GA aircraft
manufacturer to offer the system.
The Forward Vision EVS-100 sensor, which weighs in at only 1.2
pounds, displays real-time enhanced video by responding to long
wave infrared. This "camera" portion of the EVS-100 consists of a
hermetically sealed package that has been put through a dry
nitrogen purge to prevent moisture and dust from entering the
sensors. Integral window heaters prevent ice buildup, and a light
sensor protects the unit from damage when the aircraft is pointed
towards the sun. The EVS-100 system is set up to run independently,
minimizing impact on the pilot workload.
The current display, which provides a 40-degree wide image of
what is in front of the aircraft, consists of a 5" monitor with a
glare shield that may be mounted in various locations in the
cockpit. Several screen size and mounting options will also be
available.
"It's not a virtual representation," explained Stu Horn,
president of Aviat Aircraft, "it's the actual conditions of what's
on the ground at that moment." This increased situational awareness
promises to increase safety not only in the air, but on the ground
as well. "This system will allow you to see clearly any obstacles
on the taxi or runway, any aircraft or vehicles or
pedestrians."
According to Forward Vision, the EVS-100 -- which it
co-developed with technology partner Max-Viz -- has the capability
of extending forward vision at least eight times what the naked eye
can see in snow storms, fog, haze, smoke or total darkness. This
has a significant bearing on a pilot's ability to negotiate a
survivable landing during an engine-out at night or in dense haze.
It will reveal people or animals on a runway at night when normal
vision would not see what is actually there.
In addition to border patrol and search and rescue missions,
FLIR technology promises to make all areas of General Aviation
safer. "[The EVS-100] essentially turns night into day, or
low-light situations into clear visible situations," said Horn,
president of Aviat Aircraft. He further explained that in addition
to improving night visibility, "this equipment can see into light
clouds or fog."
"This system is going to be readily upgradable," explained
Forward Vision president Patrick S. Farrell. "As our sensors
continue to improve, as we integrate them with other sensors and
synthetic imaging and other things, there's a clear upgrade path
for this particular sensor for Forward Vision and for Aviat Husky."
The product's life has been tested to, and projected to be greater
than, 9,000 hours.
Aviat Aircraft will offer EVS-100 systems for $22,000, either in
a new aircraft or as a retrofit.
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