A new high tech camera purchase by aeromedical organization Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia (RFDS) has made visibility much clearer in the Land Down Under. Astronics Max-Viz, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Astronics Corp. announced recently they had installed its newest Enhanced Vision System (EVS), the Max-Viz 1400, onto five Beechcraft King Air aircraft for the South Eastern Section of the RFDS.
“These enhanced vision systems are perfectly suited to the Royal Flying Doctor Service’s mission to provide life-saving emergency evacuations and healthcare services day and night in obscured visibility across south eastern Australia,” said Elliot Troutman, Astronics Max-Viz Executive Vice President.
The Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia boosts a fleet of 68 aircraft that include 29 Beechcraft King Air 350 and 200. Missions are flown by the South Eastern Section of the RFDS 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They address issues that require emergency evacuation, including: motor vehicle and motorbike accidents, broken bones, heart attacks, strokes, sudden and severe chest pain, respiratory failure, snake and spider bites and work related injuries. Regions covered include southwest Queensland, eastern and northern South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania.
Oftentimes, RFDS responds to these calls at a moments notice, with no option to wait for perfect visibility to head out. According to Astronics, the Max-Viz 1400 EVS helps alleviate this issue by enabling pilots to see up to ten times further than unaided human vision in visibility-obscured conditions (such as smoke, haze and light fog) day or night. The system is priced at $25,000 and features a lightweight, solid-state, uncooled thermal camera with a sensor image. The image can be displaced on Garmin G500, G600, G1000, Avidyne R9, Bendix King KMD-850, AvMap EKP-V, Flipper, Rosen monitors and EFBs.
The five new Astronics EVS for the RFDS were installed by Complete Avionics (Billinga, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia). The EVS was integrated into the Garmin-1000-equipped King Airs operated by the South Eastern Section. Additionally, Complete Avionics handled the Australian certification process, (FAA installation approval in the U.S. is expected in 2016).
According to Astronics, the Max-Viz 1400’s enhanced vision sensor uses a 640×480-pixel resolution long wave infrared thermal imager with electronic zoom. Individual pins for control switches allow maximum placement flexibility. Multiple horizontal field of view options include: 45°, 69°and 90°. It has a metal fairing design, is DO-160G compliant, a Composite Video signal format (NTSC or PAL), selectable white-hot/black-hot polarity, integral window heaters for operation in all conditions with a temperature operating environment from -55° C to +70° C. The system features pixel non-uniformity correction and is manufactured in an AS9100 Certified facility. Its solid state technology means no routine maintenance is required. The Max-Viz 1400 is exportable under Department of Commerce regulations.
ABOUT ASTRONICS MAX-VIZ ENHANCED VISION SYSTEMS
Astronics Max-Viz Enhanced Vision Systems are designed for turbine and piston, fixed and rotary wing aircraft. The systems use infrared sensors, signal processing, and advanced cockpit displays to show terrain, runways, taxiways, aircraft and obstacles in poor visibility conditions, including light fog, haze, smoke, smog, light precipitation and darkness all within a package that is compact, lightweight, reliable and affordable.
Astronics Max-Viz Enhanced Vision Systems are approved for numerous models of aircraft manufactured by AgustaWestland, Textron (Bell Helicopter, Beechcraft, Cessna), Boeing, Bombardier, CASA, Canadair, Cirrus, Dassault, Eurocopter, Gulfstream, Learjet, Pilatus, Piper, Robinson Helicopter and Sikorsky Aircraft. For more information, go to www.max-viz.com.
ABOUT ASTRONICS CORPORATION
Astronics Corporation (NASDAQ: ATRO) is a leading supplier of products to the global aerospace, defense, consumer electronics and semiconductor industries. Astronics’ products include advanced, high-performance electrical power generation and distribution systems, lighting and safety systems, avionics products, aircraft structures, engineering design and systems certification, and automated test systems. Astronics’ strategy is to increase its value by developing technologies and capabilities, either internally or through acquisition, and using those capabilities to provide innovative solutions to its targeted markets and other markets where its technology can be beneficial. Astronics Corporation, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, has a reputation for high-quality designs, exceptional responsiveness, strong brand recognition and best-in-class manufacturing practices. The Company routinely posts news and other important information on its website, www.astronics.com.