On Dec 15, 2010 the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released a key Safety Alert For Operators (SAFO 10022) to  notify operators of aircraft equipped with a Night Vision Imaging System (NVIS) of potential deficiencies in the configuration and condition of installed NVIS equipment. The safety alert warns “many operators of NVIS-equipped aircraft may not be adequately meeting the inspection and maintenance requirements of NVISs.” NVGsafety.com – the new online resource site for Night Vision Goggle (NVG) safety and education – has posted the SAFO 10022 bulletin, along with complementary information (NVG maintenance regulations, articles and resources) to assist organizations understand and respond to related night vision program management issues.

Study Findings: NVIS Compliance Issues

The FAA findings are the result of a recent FAA’s Aviation Safety (AVS) nation-wide sampling of NVIS-equipped aircraft.  FAA teams, made up of Flight Standards Service (AFS) inspectors and Aircraft Certification Service (AIR) inspectors/engineers, discovered that NVIS-equipped aircraft were frequently out of compliance with FAA NVIS requirements.

The FAA has determined it is likely that other NVIS-equipped aircraft may not be properly configured or maintained for NVG operations. They determined that “the likelihood of configuration and maintenance problems increases as aircraft continue in service after NVIS modifications”.  The bulletin warns “many operators of NVIS-equipped aircraft may not be adequately meeting the inspection and maintenance requirements of NVISs.”

Maintenance Matters

Non-compliance to NVIS maintenance regulations is a critical safety issue and failure to properly maintain an aircraft’s NVIS configuration and equipment can degrade NVG acuity and prevent the flight-crew from clearly seeing aircraft instrumentation. As noted in the bulletin “an aircraft that does not comply with the STC and/or ICA requirements, or that has inoperative or improperly maintained equipment, should not be operated until corrective action has been taken”.

The FAA SAFO maintenance bulletin outlines the primary reasons that NVIS-equipped aircraft were frequently out of compliance and provides key guidance on how to resolve these issues.

Information. Education. Results.

Directors of Maintenance, Directors of Safety, Directors of Operations, Chief Pilots, mechanics, and pilots operating or maintaining NVIS-equipped aircraft are encouraged to reference the complete SAFO 10022 bulletin for details. The FAA SAFO 10022 bulletin, FAA NVIS maintenance regulations and related NVIS program management resources can be found on www.NVGsafety.com to help organizations understand and manage NVIS maintenance compliance today. If you have questions or concerns related to this bulletin or other issues regarding your NVIS program, please contact info@nvgsafety.com.

About NVGsafety.com

NVGsafety.com is an initiative of Night Flight Concepts, developed to contribute to industry by providing easy access to the education and resources needed to implement night vision goggles (NVGs).  NVGsafety.com provides a single, centralized information resource for educational information to help understand what is required to safely implement NVGs to industry and government standard. The site encourages peer-to-peer training through education and awareness resulting in enhanced efficiency, effectiveness and safety in night operations and prevents the unnecessary, costly loss of lives and equipment associated with improper night vision goggle (NVG) use.

About Night Flight Concepts

Night Flight Concepts (NFC) is a comprehensive night vision technology (NVT) provider specializing in night vision goggle (NVG) maintenance technician training, NVG service & maintenance repair, NVG pilot and crewmember flight training, and night vision program support for law enforcement agencies, air medical/rescue services, military organizations, and government task force agencies worldwide.