In air travel there can be few situations worse than smoke in the cockpit. In fact, in the USA there is one emergency landing every day due to cockpit smoke.
The Emergency Vision Assurance System by EVAS Worldwide (Hall 3, A10-B16) is a remarkably simple method of ensuring continued vision even in dense smoke.
The device features an inflatable 'window' through which the pilot can see all the aircraft's essential controls and flight path even when the cockpit is entirely full of smoke.
The device is stored in a small box within reach of the pilot. It can easily be removed and, once activated, provides visual assistance after only 15 seconds and is entirely operational after 45 seconds.
Evas chief operating officer Jonathan Parker says the scenario of a cockpit filling up is the pilot's worst nightmare.
"Most pilots I've spoken to say they would prefer to have an engine fall off rather than have a cockpit fill with smoke because you can train for a situation like that. If you can't see, there really isn't anything you can do to save the aircraft."
Since 1989, more than 2,000 Evas have been supplied to aircraft and the system now has certification on 25 aircraft. A full demonstration of the system is available at the Evas stand.
Source: Flight Daily News
