Sponsoring Education To Improve Flight Safety Thru EVS
Forward Vision came to AirVenture with numerous announcements
about new markets, new OEM partners, dealers and new products
intended to make the Enhanced Vision System (EVS) technology more
accessible to the General Aviation community. Forward Vision's
system is driven by a Department of Defense based infrared
technology (BST sensor) that operates day or night and according to
the company's literature, the 1.2 pound cabin-mounted unit is
immune to damage from heat or sunlight. The technology allows the
pilot to see through darkness, smoke, haze and fog and is
frequently found on high end business jets.
"Forward Vision is dedicated to bringing enhanced vision
technology to general aviation, from LSA's to Business Jets" said
Wilfred (Rick) Vashan, Vice President of Sales and Marketing. The
company has been busy building relationships with Aircraft
Manufacturers and Dealers and on Thursday announced the Forward
Vision EVS-100 powered by Max-Viz would be an equipment option in
the Lancair Evolution, on Canada's Expedition Aircraft E350 and
E350XC, Freedom Aviation (a kit manufacturer based in Phoenix and
awaiting certification) and the Comp Air 9 and 12.
As noted by Vashan, "there is an excellent application of
Forward Vision products to aerial firefighting because the system
can look through smoke." Aircraft that operate in remote conditions
and/or GA pilots who frequently fly at night can also greatly
benefit from this system.
A number of new Forward Vision alliances were announced at the
press conference and include Eriksson Aviation, based in South St.
Paul, MN and Hawker Pacific Pty Ltd, based in Australia. "Hawker is
[one of] the largest GA aircraft dealers in the Pacific Rim and
Mideast. "They have a very proactive marketing approach," says
Rick.
In expanding internationally, Forward Vision had to work with
the US Government in modifying the unit so any tampering would
immediately disable the system to protect the technology from
falling into the wrong hands.
According to Rick Vashan, business is good. He reported Forward
Vision sold out all the units produced in the first three quarters
of 2008 and are increasing manufacturing capacity. "This is a
military-based system," said Vashan, "the issue [for us] is meeting
demand." He estimates that about a third of Forward Vision's
business is military and law enforcement. At this time, the EVS-100
suggested retail is $14,995.
The actual safety improvements achieved through use of the
Forward Vision EVS-100 have not been measured. However, Rick Vashan
mentioned that the insurance industry has expressed interest in
such data. According to Rick, if the safety performance were more
measurable, the insurance industry anticipates being able to offer
users discounts to insurance premiums for use of enhanced vision
technology.
Patrick Farrell, President, described how the company is a
sponsor of a film series designed for pilots, focused on safety.
"Attitude Flying" with Dick Rutan is the first of a two volume
aviator series available at AirVenture in the Pilot Mall, or online
at Fly Right Films. He introduced the Director and Producer,
Charles Hewitt who emphasized the films were designed specifically
for pilots.
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