INTRODUCTION

Invented during World War II specifically for use by American, British and Soviet soldiers, night vision goggles have been a staple in commercial aviation, military and search and rescue operations ever since. In this month’s issue of Night Vision Insights, we will discuss the impact proper equipment and equipment maintenance can have on making any missions successful.

FEATURED: UNDERSTANDING THE IMPACT OF NVGS

Night Vision Goggles (NVGs) were determined and classified as appliances in 1990 by the Federal Aviation Administration and have been a critical tool when it comes to the control and operation of an aircraft during night flight for the past 50 years.

As critical appliances, NVGs must be able to meet certain criteria and performance standards, as well as a required FAA Certification. The performance standards are outlined in document RTCA/DO-275 (Minimum Operational Performance Standards for Integrated Night Vision Imaging System Equipment) and the FAA Technical Standard Order TSO-C164. Both documents outline the standards to which all night vision equipment must be maintained in order to be classified as certified and working at optimal performance.

Unlike infrared cameras, which only respond to heat, NVGs function based on low-frequency light wavelengths that humans can’t typically see; however, through electron accelerations, these wavelengths are intensified and become visible to the human eye even in almost completely dark surroundings where our eyes typically wouldn’t be able to decipher shapes or movement in close proximity.

And have you ever wondered why NVGs appear in a green display? Green is used because the human eye is most sensitive to green wavelengths. The combination of the photon multipliers and the green wavelengths make the images visible to the human eye.

The importance of the impact NVGs can have on an operation cannot be emphasized enough. With NVGs, you can see a person standing over 200 yards away on a moonless, cloudy night. This is a critical advantage for military or police operations and can mean the difference between life or death for those being sought by search and rescue teams. View NVG Equipment Options

Feature Product: NVG Maintenance Services

Night Vision Goggles are required to have inspections periodically and need to undergo regular services and repairs in order to maintain their worth, function and reliability. Through our FAA-approved Part 145 NVG Repair Station (certification #N5ZR113B), Night Flight Concepts has the authority to conduct and certify the air-worthiness of NVG inspections.

NVG inspections entail an in-depth procedure that is conducted by experienced, highly trained and certified technicians that use calibrated testing equipment and state-of-the-art inspection, servicing and repair procedures. Per FAA guidelines, NVGs should undergo maintenance every 180 days in order to warranty optimal performance.

Night Flight Concepts offers online maintenance support tools to streamline the repair process, including downloadable shipping forms and checklists to assist with NVG maintenance handling. The NVGs will be returned within 72 hours along with a test data sheet, air-worthiness compliance certificate and an NVG maintenance logbook.  Learn more