Astronics EVS receives US and Canada approval for Airbus AS350s

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) have approved Astronics' Max-Viz 1400 and 1200 Enhanced Vision Systems (EVS) for Airbus Helicopter's AS350 Écureuil, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350BA, and AS350BD.

"Our EVS is perfectly suited for aerial firefighting, heli-skiing, search and rescue, and utility operations. The Astronics Max-Viz technology provides pilots with an unprecedented level of situational awareness and safety," said Tom Geiger, Max-Viz Business Unit Director for Astronics. "We worked closely with AVIO dg to get this terrific technology approved for daily missions on AS350s."

Astronics' Max-Viz 1200 and 1400 systems are lightweight, solid-state, low power, and feature an uncooled thermal camera. The sensor image displays on any cockpit equipment that accepts NTSC or PAL/Analog RS-170 video signals, including MFDs (Multi-Function Displays), PFDs (Primary Flight Displays) or on standalone displays depending on aircraft configurations.

Astronics' Max-Viz EVS provides improved safety through enhanced vision, enabling pilots to see more precisely in adverse weather conditions, such as haze, smoke, smog, and light fog, even on the darkest night. In addition, pilots can detect and avoid clouds for a smoother ride. While landing, pilots using the Max-Viz EVS can identify the runway and view the terrain clearly to avoid wildlife and unlit obstructions.

The Airbus Helicopter AS350 with the Max-Viz 1400 allows pilots to see more precisely in adverse conditions. EVS is imaging through smoke to see obscure terrain and fire on the Devils Head Wildfire north of Canmore, Canada recently.

The FAA permits properly equipped aircraft to fly certain Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) approaches to landing, in lieu of natural vision. Of the over 3,500 installed Astronics Max-Vis EVS systems, approximately 60 percent are on fixed-wing general aviation aircraft and 40 percent are operating on rotor wing aircraft.

The Airbus Helicopter AS350 with the Max-Viz 1400 allows pilots to see more precisely in adverse conditions. EVS is imaging through smoke to see obscure terrain and fire on the Devils Head Wildfire north of Canmore, Canada recently.

BlueSky Business Aviation News | 22nd October 2020 | Issue #578