Press Release

Issued by Astronics PECO.

May 19, 2014

The Federal Aviation Administration recently issued a Supplemental Type Certificate to allow installation of Astronics Corporation's Max-Viz 1500 Enhanced Vision System (EVS) on single-engine Pilatus PC-12 aircraft equipped with video-capable Multi Function Displays.

Astronics Corporation, a leading provider of advanced technologies for the global aerospace and defense industries, manufactures the Astronics Max-Viz 1500 Enhanced Vision System which permits pilots to see more clearly at night and up to eight to 10 times farther than the unaided human eye in many obscured visibility conditions.

Executive vice president of Max-Viz operations, Elliott Troutman, said, “With this latest STC for the Astronics Max-Viz 1500, our Enhanced Vision System is qualified to be an integral part of safer PC-12 flight operations. Max-Viz EVS is an affordable solution for increasing pilot safety and situational awareness by eliminating any requirement for a head up display.”

Max-Viz EVS is an infrared aviation system that detects the differences in heat of objects and terrain in an airplane's environment, producing an accurate real-time picture of the surroundings in the absence of visible light. With thermal imaging, the EVS display enables pilots to see when flying at night, or in smoke, haze, and light fog. 

The EVS can work as an alternative to, or in tandem with, light-based night vision goggle technologies and also complements synthetic vision displays, giving a real time confirmation of the flying environment, as well as supporting the transition from Visual Flight Rules to Instrument Flight Rules in marginal visual conditions. 

The Astronics Max-Viz EVS product line combines infrared and visible imagery, providing pilots real-time display for increased visibility in adverse weather conditions, such as darkness, precipitation, fog, dust and smoke. Benefits of the Astronics Max-Viz Enhanced Vision System include:

• Ability to see and avoid runway/taxiway incursions

• Instant awareness of airport surface traffic on approach

• Unambiguous runway identification

• Aid in identifying taxiway edges and increased sign clarity

• Avoidance of parking ramp clutter

• An augment to TAWS display with clear visual picture of terrain

• Help avoiding nighttime cloud buildups for smoother flight

• Help avoiding inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions

• Help avoiding controlled flight into terrain

• Visual clarity through smoke, haze and light fog