Commercial and Business Aviation Advisory Circulars

INTRODUCTION

The use of Night Vision Imaging Systems (NVIS) utilizing night vision goggles (NVGs) is being incorporated into, or considered by organizations such as; helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS), police services and provincial forestry agencies. It is expected that the use of NVIS will increase in popularity as a result of the increased safety this technology can provide for night visual flight rules (VFR) operations.

APPLICABILITY

This Commercial and Business Aviation Advisory Circular (CBAAC) applies to all operators wishing to utilize NVIS in their operations.

REFERENCES

Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA) DO-295, Civil Operators’ Training Guidelines for Integrated NVIS Equipment.

RTCA DO-275, Minimum Operational Performance Standards for Integrated NVIS Equipment.

RTCA DO-268, Concept of Operations, NVIS for Civil Operators.

Note: RTCA documents are available from www.rtca.org.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Handbook bulletin for Air Transportation02-04 Guidance for Inspectors.

BACKGROUND

NVIS programs utilizing NVGs are being incorporated into, or considered by organizations such as HEMS, police services and provincial forestry organizations. Transport Canada has worked with the Industry and the FAA in the development of the documents listed in the Reference section of this CBAAC. These documents should be used as the background material for the development, and will be used for the assessment of an NVIS program submitted by air operators for approval. An NVIS program consists of the following elements: an acceptable NVG appliance meeting Technical Standard Order (TSO) C164, NVG compatible interior and exterior aircraft lighting, assessment of cockpit windows (windshield, windows, chin bubbles etc.), a steerable searchlight where applicable (see Additional Aircraft Equipment), a radar altimeter, and acceptable ground and flight training programs.

Obtaining approval to conduct NVIS operations will be conducted in 2 parts:

AIRCRAFT CERTIFICATION BRANCH APPROVAL CONSISTING OF:

- Obtaining a Supplement Type Certificate for installation of NVG compatible lighting in accordance with Airworthiness Notice (AN) BO53, and Aircraft Certification Policy Letter (ACPL) 29;

- Flight test for NVIS compatibility;

- Inclusion of a Rotorcraft Flight Manual Supplement.

OPERATIONAL APPROVAL CONSISTING OF:

- Evaluation of NVIS ground and flight training programs by the Principal Operations Inspector (POI);

- Amendments to the Company Operations Manual (COM) including NVIS Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs);

- Monitoring of the training program;

- Observing training and operational flights utilizing NVIS.

NVGs

The United States (U.S.) FAA, through the RTCA consultation process, has developed the TSO C164 to describe an acceptable standard for NVG performance and functionality. This TSO shall be used as the minimum standard for NVGs. In both the U.S. and Canada, these goggles are commonly known in the industry as Generation III NVIS 9 and are based on the military F4949 appliance. The importance of this minimum standard is that it ensures sufficient visual acuity, low light capability, ease of use and operation, and acceptable electronic performance. NVGs will need to be maintained in accordance with manufacturers recommendations.

AIRCRAFT LIGHTING

Aircraft lighting, both interior and exterior must be modified and maintained for NVG use in order to avoid degradation of NVG performance. This is considered as a major modification and each installation must be approved. The safety issue is to prevent unacceptable levels of near infrared and red visible light emissions created by unmodified aircraft lighting. These emissions will decrease the performance of the NVG appliance to the point where it will be difficult or impossible to observe and discern external visual cues while using the goggles. Acceptable aircraft lighting is described in AN BO53, ACPL 29 and the RTCA document DO‑275, Minimum Operational Performance Standards for Integrated NVIS Equipment. Guidance for the certification of NVG compatible aircraft is provided in AC 27-1B MG 16, and AC 29-2C MG 16.

ADDITIONAL AIRCRAFT EQUIPMENT

In addition to the requirement for an NVG compatible lighting system, aircraft that are to be used for NVIS operations shall have the following serviceable equipment:

- A searchlight steerable from either pilot seat, if night landings are to be conducted anywhere other than a lit, night certified aerodrome. This light need not be NVG compatible;

- A Radar Altimeter;

- Exterior lighting such as position and anti-collision lights must be modified to minimize the NVIS radiance in order to minimize the effect they have on the performance of the NVGs.

Company Training

GROUND TRAINING

FLIGHT TRAINING

The aim of NVIS training should be to “train to proficiency”. At a minimum, this training should consist of 5 separate flights of at least 1-hour duration to establish basic NVG proficiency. Previous demonstrated NVG experience, such as recent operational military NVG experience, may be considered an acceptable alternative. Experience is considered current if it has occurred within the previous 24 months. During the last NVG training flight the candidate’s proficiency should be assessed in a manner similar to the pilot competency check and the candidates training file should be annotated accordingly. NVIS flight training should include the following items:

- Pre-flight fitting, testing and adjustment;

- Rehearsal of company NVIS SOPs;

- Line / route / mission indoctrination as appropriate;

- Enroute procedures;

- Aircraft normal procedures including scanning techniques and cockpit drills while using NVGs;

- Aircraft emergency procedures and NVG failure procedures;

- Post flight removal, safe storage and maintenance considerations.

FLIGHT CREW REQUIREMENTS

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Pilots conducting NVIS operations must hold a current Instrument Rating. Successful NVIS flying requires a high degree of instrument scanning proficiency. The requirement for an instrument rating is a harmonization with the FAA standard.

MINIMUM CREW

Pilot workload during aided NVG Operations is higher than for unaided flight. This is due to a number of factors such as:

- Increased fatigue due to additional weight of the goggles;

- Increased vigilance required while scanning aircraft instruments looking under the goggles;

- Reduced field of view (40 degrees). This requires additional head movement to maintain situational awareness;

- Reduced field of regard. This is the area that you can see while scanning left and right while wearing the appliance.

Minimum crew while engaged in NVG operations:

- For operations from night licensed aerodrome to any other night licensed aerodrome, or, for operations conducted under Subpart 702 of the Canadian Aviation Regulations, one pilot;

- For all other operations, 2 pilots.

Currency

Flight Duty Time Limits

COM Amendments

COMs should be amended to contain, at a minimum, the following information:

- Comprehensive SOPs for the conduct of NVIS operations including normal, abnormal and emergency procedures;

- Pilot NVG currency requirements;

- Proficiency check requirements;

- Pilot training requirements;

- Company training pilot requirements;

- Crewmember training requirements and use of NVGs;

- Recordkeeping requirements;

- Minimum safe altitudes;

- Weather considerations.

POLICY DEVELOPMENT

ACTION

Companies wishing to develop an NVIS program should contact their POI.

FUTURE DISPOSITION

This CBAAC shall remain in force until further notice.

CONCLUSION

Michel Gaudreau
Director
Commercial and Business Aviation