“Sightlines: The Emerging Role of Advanced Vision Systems for Vertical Flight”
Advancements in Vision System technologies offers the potential to “see” clearly in degraded visual environments (DVE); such as those often experienced by rotorcraft. Helicopters are no stranger to challenging operational environments at low altitudes, over water, at night, in high and low lighting conditions, in obstacle-rich environments, and during less-than-ideal weather conditions. Rotorcraft pilots are frequently called upon to operate to and from sites that lack the real estate to support the necessary infrastructure for instrument approaches similar to those used by fixed-wing pilots (i.e. approach lighting and instrument landing systems).
To confront these challenges, enhance safety, mitigate risk, and reduce accidents/incidents, the rotorcraft community embracing advanced technological solutions. These solutions include advanced Vision Systems technologies that can provide increased situational awareness capabilities to detect and remain clear of obstacles and weather in visually degraded environments.
The Vertical Flight Society is proud to present the first in a series of initiatives focused on exploring the viability and utility of Advanced Vision Systems technologies for vertical flight for the purposes of enhanced safety and a potential operational credit. Although Enhanced Flight Vision Systems (EFVS) have been in existence for some time and are used by multiple fixed-wing and rotorcraft operators; corresponding guidance and authorizations do not currently exist for rotorcraft for using EFVS on straight-in Instrument Approach Procedures to runways and existing regulations do not support other types of rotorcraft operations (i.e. Point in Space, Offshore, etc.). To address this gap, the goal of the Vision Systems Summit is to develop a framework to enable the use of Vision Systems technologies for enhancing safety and possible operational credit by understanding the particular sensor and display technologies, identifying specific operational profiles, and discussing regulatory considerations associated with these technologies, across all stakeholders.
This summit is being presented in partnership with the United States Helicopter Safety Team (USHST), EUROCAE/RTCA WG-79/SC-213, the Helicopter Association International (HAI), the General Aviation Manufacturer’s Association (GAMA), and other safety teams, government, and industry organizations representing the vertical flight community.
AGENDA
Vision Systems Summit
Date: June 25, 2021
10:00 am ET – 2:00 pm ET
10:00 – 10:15 am ET Introduction/Welcome
Overall Objective – “Development of Operational Concepts, Overall System Performance, and a Regulatory Framework to bring Vision Systems Technologies to Helicopters to Increase Safety and Operational Efficiency”
Cliff Johnson (FAA) Carlo Tiana (Collins) Trish Ververs (Honeywell)
10:15 – 10:30 am ET What is a Vision System?
Overview of Vision Systems Technologies and Definitions of Key Terminology
Cliff Johnson (FAA)
10:30 – 11:00 am ET Vision Systems for Fixed-Wing Operations
Review and examples of OEM technology used for Fixed-Wing Operations
Carlo Tiana (Collins) Trish Ververs (Honeywell)
11:00 – 11:15 am ET Updates/Videos on Past Helicopter Trials & FAA Helicopter Vision Systems R&D
Overview of FAA R&D including past helicopter flight trials and current R&D focus for Vision Systems
Cliff Johnson (FAA)
11:30 am – 12:15 pm ET Operators Using Vision Systems Technology
Insights from several operators using vision systems technology on where the gaps and opportunities are to support their operations
12:15 – 12:45 pm ET Break
12:45 – 1:15 pm ET Regulatory Discussion (FAA/EASA)
Discussion on FAA and EASA certification and operational approval paths for EFVS/SVGS/etc. and potential opportunities, challenges, and initiatives for rotorcraft
FAA (TBD) EASA (TBD)
1:15 – 2:00 pm ET Open Discussion around CONOPS & Requirements for Vision Systems
Discussion amongst all participants to identify concept of operations for vision systems technologies on rotorcraft
All