Free Instruction To Be Offered At Medical Transport Conference

In an effort to assist and educate operators about changes in inspections, installations, aircraft conformity, and requirements with modifications, Aviation Specialties Unlimited, (ASU) continues to offer NVIS Aircraft Conformity Courses at no cost. The next course is scheduled for the Air Medical Transport Conference. ASU Quality Assurance Manager and Chief Inspector Kip McDermott teaches the 3-hour course. This course was previously held in Orlando at HELI-EXPO 2011.

"I attended ASU's cockpit conformity course because I had heard the FAA is re-evaluating NVG installations and maintenance,” said Med-Trans Corp. Manager of Quality Assurance Leslie Lougheed. “The course helped me tremendously by providing an overview of all current approved NVG installations, not just ASUs. The course also covered current regulations, inspection requirements and how to keep an aircraft in conformity. This course provided training necessary to properly inspect and maintain NVG systems. Most mechanics have little or no training on NVG and the ICA's are a little open to interpretation. It is fantastic that ASU is offering the course for free. I recommend it highly.”

Included in the course is:

• Aircraft Modification Types/Methodology:
• Common types of modification.
• FAA procedures and specification of NVG cockpit modifications.
• STC test/verification/validation procedures: FARs and Guidance.
• Scope of involvement of DAR and DER for NVG STCs.
• Conformity Inspections –specific requirements for NVG compatible cockpit Supplemental Type Certificates.
• Owner Operator requirements and continued Airworthiness standards.
• Class A, B and C night vision goggles: Explanation of classifications and their effect on cockpit modifications.
• Maintenance procedures and practices for NVGs.

“There are numerous things that we cover during this course that aid operations in assuring that their aircraft are NVIS conformed,” added McDermott.“This comprehensive course is designed to aid operations no matter what classification of goggles they use, what type of aircraft they fly or where they fly.”

ASU plans to add this course to the company’s training curriculum to meet the growing demands of operators and government organizations. Operators that are considering going NVG will benefit from the course and gain advanced knowledge of how to properly maintain their aircraft conformity. Interested operators can register in advance of AMTC online.

Over the last 15 years, ASU has modified more than 500 aircraft. McDermott has been a FAA certified Airframe and Powerplant technician for over 13 years including 3 years of military aviation operational experience. He has conducted aviation maintenance operations in Europe, the Balkans, the Mediterranean, Northern Africa, Turkey, Egypt, Colombia, and the entire United States.

McDermott’s extensive background includes being a Turbine Engine Repairman, U.S. Department of Defense, Flight Test Crew Chief for Dyncorp Aerospace (European Theater) on UH-1, UH-60 and CH-47D; Certified Turbine Engine Test Cell Operator; Managing Supervisor on 2 Turbine Engine Test Cells for the Department of Defense and Dyncorp Aerospace; Airframe and Powerplant mechanic for life Flight; OAS carded Rotorcraft and Fixed Wing Aircraft for Helicopter Maintenance Corp.; Director of Maintenance for Executive Maintenance Corp.; Director of Maintenance for Access Air, a FAR Part 135 and EMS operator managing 18 fixed and rotor wing aircraft.

For ASU McDermott conducts FAA part 135 and 141 flight operations and FAR part 145 repair station activities to include engineering, installation and certification on numerous Supplemental Type Certificate projects (STC) with 18 STC’s completed for the installation of Night Vision Compatible Cockpit lighting modifications.

FMI: www.asu-nvg.com