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FAA Final Rule On Enhanced Flight Vision System To Take Effect In March
 
 
January 26, 2017 - An Enhanced flight vision system (EFVS) is equipment that can be installed in the cockpit of an aircraft that allows the pilots to better detect an image outside the aircraft and in some cases better than unaided human vision.

Under current FAA regulations, a pilot or crew could only use an EFVS system along with his or her own natural vision to descend below the decision altitude, decision height, or minimum descent altitude down to 100 feet above the touchdown zone elevation of the intended runway, using certain straight-in landing instrument approach procedures.

Under the new rule which will take effect March 13, 2017, pilots will allow permits operators to use an EFVS in lieu of natural vision to continue descending from 100 feet above the TDZE to the runway and to land on certain straight-in IAPs under instrument flight rules (IFR).

This final rule also revises and relocates the regulations that permit operators to use an EFVS in lieu of natural vision to descend to 100 feet above the TDZE using certain straight-in IAPs.

Additionally, this final rule addresses provisions that permit operators who conduct EFVS operations under parts 121, 125, or 135 to use EFVS-equipped aircraft to dispatch, release, or takeoff under IFR, and revises the regulations for those operators to initiate and continue an approach, when the destination airport weather is below authorized visibility minimums for the runway of intended landing.

This final rule establishes pilot training and recent flight experience requirements for operators who use EFVS in lieu of natural vision to descend below the DA/DH or MDA. EFVS-equipped aircraft conducting operations to touchdown and rollout are required to meet additional airworthiness requirements.
 
 

 

 

This final rule also revises pilot compartment view certification requirements for vision systems using a transparent display surface located in the pilot's outside field of view. The final rule takes advantage of advanced vision capabilities, thereby achieving the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) goals of increasing access, efficiency, and throughput at many airports when low visibility is the limiting factor. Additionally, it enables EFVS operations in reduced visibilities on a greater number of approach procedure types while maintaining an equivalent level of safety.

Wikimedia - Night vision devices for military personnel have been operational since the time of World War II. Their use has been adopted also by military pilots, mainly in rotary-wing aircraft (helicopters). The use of such devices has been suggested for use by commercial pilots since the 1970s, but it was not until 1999 that the first commercial, FAA certified system, was airborne. Still, the pilot could not use the system to lower an aircraft below the required natural vision limit. In 2004, the FAA published correction 91-281 to landing guidelines, which allowed pilots to use the visual display provided by an EFVS to lower down to 100 feet above the landing zone (if no other restrictions apply). This marks the first time an EFVS gave a concrete commercial advantage over unaided vision.

 

 
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