Night Vision Lighting System Certification Configuration Management Flight Test Safety Workshop Sarah Thatcher, Flight Test Analyst, ASW -170 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 Systems

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

Night Vision Lighting Systems

Configuration Considerations Instrument Panel Instrument Layout Instrument Lighting Overall Geometry Glareshield Requirements External Lighting & Equipment Searchlights Scene Lighting Landing Lighting Position Lighting Wire Cutters Skids Materials Composite Materials requiring compliance to 27/29.853 & 27/29.855 (Burn Testing) NVG Filters Lighted Panels Operational Use EMS Cabin Lighting Medical Equipment Lights Patient Loading Lighting Law Enforcement Tactical Equipment Lighting

Instrument Panels

External Lighting

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

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

Post Lights and Filters

Flood Lights

Bezel/Edge Lit Panels or Instruments

Filters

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

Integration of NVIS Lighting and NVG No worse than Basic Aircraft Lighting 407 Normal Night Lighting 407 NVIS Lighting

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

Integration of NVIS Lighting and NVG Colors are Critical

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

Safety Concerns Degraded NVG Performance NVG Blooming Reduction in Outside Visibility

Safety Concerns Can the Pilot read all Instruments, gauges, switch labels, range bands, limitation marks, etc?

Safety Concerns Caution / Warning Panel – Legible, Workable Which Caution Lights are Lit?

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?

Questions