1. Night Vision Lighting System Certification
Configuration Management
Flight Test Safety Workshop
Sarah Thatcher, Flight Test Analyst, ASW -170
May 4-6, 2010

2. 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

3. Night Vision Lighting Systems

4. 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

5. Night Vision Lighting Systems

6. 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/ & 27/ (Burn Testing)
NVG Filters
Lighted Panels
Operational Use
EMS
Cabin Lighting
Medical Equipment Lights
Patient Loading Lighting
Law Enforcement
Tactical Equipment Lighting

7. Instrument Panels

8. External Lighting

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

10. 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

11. Post Lights and Filters

12. Flood Lights

13. Bezel/Edge Lit Panels or Instruments

14. Filters

15. 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

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

17. 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

18. Integration of NVIS Lighting and NVG
Colors are Critical

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

20. Safety Concerns Degraded NVG Performance NVG Blooming
Reduction in Outside Visibility

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

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

23. 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?

24. Questions