Press Release

Issued by TAG Aviation.

November 26, 2015

TAG Aviation (UK) Ltd has been granted approval to use less restrictive instrument approach minimums, in line with EASA regulations, through the use of HUD/EVS technology on aircraft it operates that are equipped with these systems.

Enhanced vision systems incorporate sensing technology to improve a pilot's ability to detect objects, such as runway lights or terrain, that may otherwise not be visible. The image produced from the sensor and/or image processor can be displayed to the pilot in a number of ways including use of a HUD. The system can be used in all phases of flight and can improve situational awareness. In particular, infra-red systems can display terrain during operations at night, improve situational awareness during night and low-visibility taxiing, and may allow earlier acquisition of visual references during instrument approaches.

As part of the approvals process TAG Aviation developed a training programme, associated operational techniques and standard operating procedures in order to equip its crews with the skills and knowledge required to effectively operate these state-of-the-art systems.

“The HUD/EVS approval and training permits crews to fly to an approach in visibility worse than the normal minimum, allowing a decent of 100' above the runway in bad weather, rather than the usual 200' ”, said Captain David Clarke, deputy chief pilot, TAG Aviation UK, who was responsible for the approvals submission to the UK CAA.