• Subscribe
  • Magazines
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Podcasts
  • Buyers Guide
  • GSE Expo
    1. Engines & Components
    2. Aircraft Airframe & Accessories
    3. Avionics

    Universal Avionics’ ClearVision EFVS Preparing Formal Certification Flight Testing on Boeing 737NG

    Oct. 12, 2021
    First large aircraft to be certified with a full EFVS solution featuring a head-wearable display, paves way for BBJ.
    Related To: Universal Avionics
    Universal Avionics
    Universal Avionics’ ClearVision Enhanced Flight Vision System (EFVS) is preparing to enter formal flight testing for certification on a Boeing 737NG.
    Universal Avionics’ ClearVision Enhanced Flight Vision System (EFVS) is preparing to enter
    formal flight testing for certification on a Boeing 737NG.

    Universal Avionics’ (UA) ClearVision Enhanced Flight Vision System (EFVS) is preparing to enter formal flight testing for certification on a Boeing 737NG. The B737NG STC marks the first large transport aircraft to be certified with a full dual-pilot EFVS solution featuring Head-Wearable Displays. Easily adaptable to multiple aircraft platforms, this ClearVision solution offers a unique option for Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) operators who until now were left with a single, fixed left-hand Head-Up Display as their only available option.

    The 737NG ClearVision installation includes dual SkyLens Head-Wearable Displays (HWD) and a single EVS-5000 Multispectral Camera. The solution, marketed as AerAware™, is the result of a unique partnership with AerSale Corporation (AerSale). AerSale has provided the prototype aircraft and led the engineering, design, modification, installation, and now the necessary certification flights. Final FAA STC approval is currently pending.

    “AerAware will serve as the only commercially viable retrofit solution for thousands of 737NG, including the BBJ, that substantially increases situational awareness during low visibility operations, reduces natural visibility requirements on approach, increasing safety. Designed for EFVS operations all the way to touchdown and rollout in low visibility conditions, ClearVision improves accessibility to most airports, a key for business aircraft operators, and more broadly, improves approach capacity at congested airports leading to fewer delays,” said Dror Yahav, Universal Avionics CEO.

    Nicolas Finazzo, AerSale’s chief executive officer, commented, “We are excited to soon begin final FAA flight testing and are progressing well toward certification of AerAware. Driven by the underlying technology developed by Universal, we are able to improve airline safety, reduce the cost of adverse weather impacts and enable more efficient management of airport congestion, all of which are stated objectives of the FAA’s NextGen Air Traffic Control System. We expect this novel advanced technology to become ubiquitous on commercial aircraft in the long-term, given its high-safety profile and attractive returns to operators. This is further evidenced by the high degree of customer enthusiasm we have received during flight demonstrations. Finally, reducing departure and landing delays, including diversions, due to inclement weather will help reduce the carbon footprint of airlines using AerAware.”

    ClearVision is an affordable, easy-to-install solution, addressing the pains of long downtimes and heavy installation work – typical of traditional technologies. AerAware is anticipated to necessitate five to seven days for installation and return to service of the aircraft.

    UA is offering special launch incentives to help operators equip in 2022. Visit UA at Booth 2545 during the 2021 NBAA Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition in Las Vegas.

    ClearVision – A Complete EFVS Solution

    ClearVision is a complete Enhanced Flight Vision System (EFVS) solution providing head-up capability to overcome low visibility conditions – both day and night. The ClearVision solution on the B737NG encompasses Synthetic Vision (SVS) and Enhanced Vision (EVS) Systems, an innovative and user-controlled Combined Vision System (CVS) to showcase the best of SVS and EVS at any given time, displayed on pilot and copilot SkyLens HWD along with 737 tailored symbology.

    SkyLens is the only display of its kind certified today for commercial aviation. As a compact and lightweight Head Wearable Display, SkyLens offers an unlimited field of regard, allowing pilots to comfortably turn their heads side-to-side while retaining critical flight information and maintaining continuous terrain awareness with SVS. When the SVS is selected, the pilot has a 3D and 180-degree panoramic view of the outside world showing terrain, obstacles, airports, and runways, greatly enhancing situational awareness during reduced visibility or nighttime operations.

    UA’s high-resolution EVS-5000 Multispectral Camera is composed of six sensors for a comprehensive and unprecedented multispectral coverage. When paired with SkyLens, it enables EFVS operations to touchdown and rollout under FAR 91.176 in a reported visibility as low as 1,000 feet, with a visual advantage of 33% or more, even at airports solely equipped with a Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting system.

    Universal Avionics and its parent company, Elbit Systems, are market leaders in Enhanced Flight Vision Systems. Starting with the first ever EVS to be certified for operational credits – EVS-I certified in 2001, Universal and Elbit have delivered nearly 3,000 EVS cameras worldwide for 22 aircraft types. EVS-5000 is the 4th generation of EVS camera and is found on aircraft types such as Dassault’s Falcon family, ATR 42/72-600, Cessna’s Longitude, etc. SkyLens is certified today on the ATR 42/72-600, and its corresponding system for helicopters, SkyVis, is in advanced flight testing on Airbus Helicopters’ Super Puma and Leonardo’s AW169.