Rotorcraft Night Vision Goggle Evaluation

This document addresses the potential use of night vision goggles (NVG's) by the civilian rotorcraft community. Key issues analyzed are the advantages and limitations of using NVG's in civilian rotorcraft operations, safety factors surrounding NVG use, and pilot qualification/training requirements. Background information on NVG equipment design, characteristics, types, and associated aircraft requirements/modifications are also presented in the context of civilian use. These issues are then related to the existing FAA regulations concerning night flying operations. Pilots, engineers, and aeromedical experts from the uniformed services, as well as several civil proponents who have had extensive experience with NVG's were interviewed. Their experiences, insights, and recommendations are incorporated into the text. All those with previous NVG experience agreed that despite the limitations, they would prefer flying at night with NVG's available and that NVG's reduce stress and increase situational awareness in the cockpit at night. This investigation concludes that the civil use of NVG's as an aid during en route and certain terminal operations can increase safety, enhance situational awareness, and significantly reduce the pilot workload and stress normally associated with flying at night. At the same time this investigation highlights that a number of key safety issues, unique to the civilian pilot community, still need to be resolved. A follow-on flight evaluation and simulation effort are envisioned to address these issues. Rotorcraft, Visionics, Night vision goggles, Image intensification, Night flying.