Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority has completed a 17-month trial of night vision goggles and implemented standards and requirements for their use in the country.
In 2007 CASA released for public comment a notice of proposed rulemaking for the use of night vision goggles in helicopter operations and launched a trial to ensure the new rules suit the operational requirements of civil operators in Australia.
Australia has suffered a number of night accidents involving helicopters on search and rescue and emergency medical services missions and the move towards goggle use follows years of work by the regulator and the Helicopter Association of Australasia (HAA) to develop suitable legislation and standards for Australia.
During the trial the safety authority held regular industry workshops throughout the country to review and refine the standards through a working group that comprised representatives from night vision goggle operators and representatives from the HAA. The regulations allow for the use of goggles by approved air operators conducting emergency medical services, law enforcement, search and rescue, marine pilot transfer, aerial firefighting and night vision training. Goggles have not been approved for use in private operations, except for the purpose of training.
Throughout this year CASA says it will be carrying out safety oversight of operations, to ensure they are being conducted properly and in accordance with the legislation. CASA says the oversight will look at issues such as operational manual procedures versus actual night vision operations, training course outcomes, airworthiness and pilot and aircrew proficiency.
A number of other countries have already implemented night vision goggle requirements, with the Australian regulator working closely with regulators in Canada, New Zealand, the UK and USA on developing its standards.
Source: Flight International
