Max-Viz, the Oregon-based enhanced vision system (EVS) specialist, has gained its first order from a helicopter operator for its EVS-1000 uncooled infra-red (IR) system. Max-Viz has also completed flight tests of a 30° field-of-view (FoV) version on a Bell 206B JetRanger.
The EVS-1000 has been ordered by an East Coast US company for its Sikorsky S-76, with installation and certification to be performed by Pennsylvania-based Keystone Helicopter. The company adds that US Federal Aviation Administration supplemental type certification (STC) is expected in October for all S-76 variants. EVS images will be displayed on two dedicated liquid-crystal displays and on the S-76's Honeywell MFD-880 radar display, and is expected to improve situation awareness in poor visibility in low-level flight as well as landing and take-off.
Other STCs are in process for the Bombardier Learjet 35, Dassault Falcon 50/900 and JetRanger. Most are for the single-channel EVS-1000 system, which has been picked by Cessna for offer on the Citation CJ1, CJ2, CJ3, Bravo, Encore and Excel. Max-Viz's dual-sensor EVS-2000/ 2500 is also in development for the Citation X and Sovereign.
Max-Viz says development of a reduced 30¡-FoV EVS-1000 (in place of the standard 53¡ version) is under way for smaller business jets and helicopters
Source: Flight International
