Certification testing has begun on the Bombardier enhanced vision system (BEVS) for the Global family of business jet aircraft.

The company said that flight testing is on schedule to be completed with Transport Canada and the FAA by the end of January 2005, with EASA set to complete similar tests by February 2005, resulting in full certification towards the end of the first quarter of 2005.

The BEVS, which is being developed in co-operation with Thales Avionics and CMC Electronics, includes features such as a forward looking infra-red sensor with image processing capabilities.

The sensor is positioned on the upper portion of the aircraft nose, which places the BEVS more in line with the pilot’s visual reference point, so cockpit views are more natural. The image captured on the camera is projected on the head-up flight display system, providing pilots with all the key information from the primary flight displays throughout all phases of flight.

Jeff Petzke, engineering project director for Bombardier Global Aircraft Platform said of the system: “The BEVS provides a real time image of the aircraft’s surroundings, significantly enhancing the pilot’s situational awareness through improved visibility and overall depth perception.”

Bombardier has said that the BEVS will feature as standard equipment on its ultra long-range Global Express XRS, which is due to enter service in the first quarter of 2006.