Finalist: Lear Astronics

Finalist: Lear Astronics

Location Santa Monica, California, USA

Achievement Demonstration of an enhanced-vision system (EVS) providing precision landing and approach on any runway. In 1996 Lear Astronics successfully demonstrated an enhanced-vision system (EVS) which is capable of giving pilots a landing decision height of around 300-400ft (100-120m). Potentially, this will allow a precision approach and landing in low-visibility conditions down to Category 3a regardless of the runway.

Two aircraft were fitted with the system, which consists of a millimetre-wave radar, an on-board image processor and a cockpit head-up display (HUD). Together these aircraft flew over 500 approaches at more than two dozen US airports, and were evaluated by some 50 civil and military transport pilots.

The pilot would begin to see nominal ground images on the HUD at 800-1,000ft above ground level. By 600-800ft, the approach and runway end became visible, together with nearby taxiways. Typically, by 300-400ft, the pilot could clearly identify the landing runway with enough confidence to continue to a landing.

The Awards judges welcome this work to put the pilot back in the loop. By using the EVS, the pilot has another way to verify the accuracy and integrity of other landing aids, including newer satellite-based guidance systems.

Source: Flight International