FAA Certifies Gulfstream's Second Generation EVS and Synthetic Vision

The FAA has certified Gulfstream Aerospace's SV-PFD (synthetic vision-primary flight display) system and its EVS II (second generation enhanced vision system) for applications on the G350, G450, G500 and G550.  This means Gulfstream is the first OEM (original equipment manufacturer) able to provide its customers with both enhanced and synthetic vision systems.

The SV-PFD displays three-dimensional, color terrain images that are derived from data stored in Honeywell's EGPWS (enhanced ground proximity warning system). The EVS II provides actual, real-time images detected by an infrared camera mounted to the nose of the aircraft and viewed by the pilot on a HUD (head-up display). Thus, EVS II not only provides its own flight-guidance benefits, it can confirm the validity of terrain and airport images projected on the SV-PFD as well.

Pres Henne, Gulfstream's senior vice president, programs, engineering and test, said, "The effect of using both systems simultaneously provides an unmatched magnitude of pilot situational awareness and a flight path that is always visible, regardless of the conditions outside the cockpit window."

The original Gulfstream EVS, first certified on September 14, 2001, uses a specially designed FLIR (forward-looking infrared) camera.  The EVS II, whose hardware components are produced by Kollsman, is 22 pounds lighter, with four times the computational power and four times the memory of the original, and has an improved maintenance interface within Gulfstream's PlaneView flight deck.

The SV-PFD also is an enhancement to PlaneView that uses a new graphics processor to overlay primary flight display instrument symbology on a large area of terrain that is accurately depicted, along with obstacles, runways and approaches, at locations throughout the world.

Gulfstream expects the ISV-PFD to be available to customers in the second quarter of 2008.

Rockwell Collins on HUD-II

Gulfstream says it also is working closely with Rockwell Collins on HUD-II, a HGS (head-up guidance system) that is modular-in-design, compatible with EVS-II, and integrated with PlaneView.  Its all digital LCD (liquid crystal display) technology uses a bright LED (light-emitting diode) backlight to present real-world images and flight symbols on the HUD combiner.

"This is the first time we are developing an advanced head-up display for our entire family of Gulfstream aircraft," Mr. Henne said. "This next generation HUD design will support development of other advanced vision technologies as they become available."  01-29-2008.

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