Night Vision Lighting Federal Aviation

Administration
System Certification
Configuration Management

Presented to: Flight Test Safety Workshop

By: Sarah Thatcher, Flight Test Analyst, ASW -170
Date: May 4-6, 2010
 Overview

Night Vision Lighting Systems

Configuration Considerations
Aircraft Modifications
Types of NVIS Lighting Systems
Integration of NVIS Lighting and NVG
Safety Concerns
Post Certification CM

Night Vision Lighting System Certification

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 Night Vision Lighting Systems

Night Vision Lighting System Certification

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 Night Vision Lighting Systems
An aircraft lighting system that has been modified
or designed to successfully and safely operate an
aircraft with the aid of Night Vision Goggles (NVG)
Provides adequate illumination under day and night
conditions of instruments, displays, and controls
for the unaided eye without degrading NVG
performance
System Components include but are not limited to:
Any component that emits or transmits light within the flight
deck or crew compartment
Windscreens & Transparencies
External Lighting

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 Night Vision Lighting Systems

Night Vision Lighting System Certification

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 Configuration Considerations

Instrument Panel Materials

Instrument Layout
Instrument Lighting
Overall Geometry
Glareshield Requirements
Composite Materials requiring
compliance to 27/29.853 &
27/29.855 (Burn Testing)
NVG Filters
Lighted Panels

External Lighting & Equipment Operational Use

Searchlights EMS
Scene Lighting Cabin Lighting
Landing Lighting Medical Equipment Lights
Position Lighting Patient Loading Lighting
Wire Cutters Law Enforcement
Skids Tactical Equipment Lighting

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 Instrument Panels

Night Vision Lighting System Certification

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 External Lighting

Night Vision Lighting System Certification

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 Aircraft Modifications
Original Aircraft Manufacturers
Aircraft Modifiers
Instrument/Equipment Manufacturers
Combinations of any or all listed above.

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 Types of NVIS Lighting Systems

Instrument Panels
Post Lights
Flood Lights
Bezel/Edge Lit Panels or Instruments (Overlays)
Integrated Internal to each Instrument
Overhead/Console Lighting
Back Lights
Floods
Goose Necks
Filters
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 Post Lights and Filters

Post Lights

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 Flood Lights

Night Vision Lighting System Certification

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 Bezel/Edge Lit Panels or Instruments

Night Vision Lighting System Certification

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 Filters

Night Vision Lighting System Certification

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 Integration of NVIS Lighting and NVG

Lighting must meet 14 CFR Part 27/29

Requirements
No worse than Basic Aircraft Lighting
All Instruments, Markings, Color Bands, and
Switches must be Legible and Discernable to the
Pilot
Colors are Critical
Glares & Reflections in Windscreens &
Transparencies
Lighting must be Compatible with NVG
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 Integration of NVIS Lighting and NVG

No worse than Basic Aircraft Lighting

407 Normal Night Lighting 407 NVIS Lighting

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 Integration of NVIS Lighting and NVG
All Instruments, Markings, Color Bands, and
Switches must be Legible and Discernable to the Pilot

BK117B-2: Floods
AS350: Floods
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 Integration of NVIS Lighting and NVG
Colors are Critical

Night Vision Lighting System Certification

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 Integration of NVIS Lighting and NVG
Glares & Reflections in Windscreens/Transparencies

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 Safety Concerns

Degraded NVG Performance

NVG Blooming
Reduction in Outside Visibility

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 Safety Concerns

Can the Pilot read all Instruments, gauges, switch

labels, range bands, limitation marks, etc?

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 Safety Concerns

Caution / Warning Panel Legible, Workable

Which Caution Lights are Lit?

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 Post Certification CM

What happens after the aircraft is certified

for compatibility with NVG?
Configuration Management is CRITICAL for that
aircraft.
Removal, Replacement, or Installation of any equipment
(internal or external) that could effect the NVIS lighting
system requires a compatibility assessment.
Who determines whether or not there will be an effect?
Who completes the compatibility check-out?

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 Questions

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