Appendix A A-4
2. An overview of visibility reporting equipment (e.g., Runway Visual Range (RVR), automated surface observing system (ASOS), and Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS)) and their limitations, reporting increments, and relationship to actual flight visibility on the approach.
A.2.7 Per § 61.66(a)(2)(vii), it is necessary for the pilot training curriculum to include normal, abnormal, emergency, and crew coordination procedures when conducting EFVS operations. This could be accomplished by including:
1. A description of the operational concepts and the procedures used in EFVS-TD operations, as applicable.
2. A description of the operational concepts and the procedures used in EFVS-100 operations, as applicable.
3. A description of the following system preflight and in-flight procedures:
a. An integrity check of the sensor window;
b. System tests and warmup time;
c. System control adjustments, to include appropriate setting of EFVS contrast, brightness, and symbology; and
d. EFVS image alignment procedures with the natural vision image.
4. A description of the following pilot flying (PF) and pilot monitoring (PM) communications:
a. Callouts for continuing descent below the DA/DH or MDA using the EFVS;
b. Callouts for transition from enhanced image to natural vision at 100 feet above the TDZE during an EFVS-100 operation;
c. Callouts to clearly communicate the decision to land or go around; and
d. Callouts for abnormal EFVS operations.
5. A description of the following items to be briefed prior to initiating an approach using the EFVS:
a. Expectations of system performance and limitations in reported weather conditions and a minimum visibility for the use of an EFVS (if applicable);
b. EFVS callouts;
c. Other approach considerations that may affect EFVS operations such as final approach offsets and ground infrastructure;
d. Missed approach considerations and procedure; and
e. The taxi operation considerations in reported weather conditions.
6. A description of the PM use of the repeater display during EFVS-TD operations. The PM uses the display to assess the safe conduct of the approach, landing, and rollout, and intervene if necessary in visibilities where natural vision may not be sufficient.
Appendix A A-5
7. A description of the procedure used for determining minimum visibility for use of EFVS for the purpose of releasing the flight or executing an approach, as applicable.
8. An overview of techniques for identifying EFVS system failures and corresponding procedures. A proper cross-check of the HUD instrumentation presentations against the EFVS sensor image could help recognize malfunctions of the navigation equipment or improper presentation of elements in the visual scene during the approach. In the event any required component fails during an EFVS operation until touchdown, the PF should initiate a go-around. However, this does not preclude a pilot’s authority to continue to a landing and rollout if the pilot considers that a safer course of action.
A.2.8 Per § 61.66(a)(2)(viii), it is necessary for the pilot training curriculum to include the interpretation of approach and runway lighting systems and their display characteristics when using an EFVS. This could be accomplished by including an overview of different light sources used in airport and approach lighting systems and the ability of the EFVS to detect them. An EFVS based only on infrared sensor technology may not be capable of imaging light-emitting diode (LED) lighting because energy is not emitted in an infrared spectrum. It is important that pilots are familiar with the potential use of LEDs at their destination and any corresponding limitations of their EFVS. For more information, please refer to Information for Operators (InFO) 11004, Enhanced Flight Vision System (EFVS), Enhanced Vision Systems (EVS), and Night Vision Goggles (NVG) Compatibility with Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) at Airports and on Obstacles. You can find InFO 11004 at https://w ww.faa.gov/other_visit/aviation_industry/airline_operators/ai rline_safety/info.
A.3 EFVS Flight Training Tasks. The following provides the regulatory text, a regulatory citation, and relevant suggestions for each flight training task required under § 61.66(b).
The flight training tasks should reinforce the lessons taught in the ground training subjects. The suggestions for each regulatory task are not all inclusive and should be included in a pilot training curriculum.
A.3.1 Per § 61.66(b)(2)(i), it is necessary that the flight training curriculum includes preflight and in-flight preparation of EFVS equipment for EFVS operations, including EFVS setup and use of display, controls, modes, and associated systems, and adjustments for brightness and contrast under day and night conditions. It may be beneficial to perform these tasks in the curriculum using either the manufacturer’s recommended procedures or procedures applicable to the operator.
A.3.2 Per § 61.66(b)(2)(ii), it is necessary that the flight training curriculum includes proper piloting techniques associated with using EFVS during taxi, takeoff, climb, cruise, descent, landing, and rollout, including missed approaches and balked landings. It may be beneficial for the curriculum to allow pilots to become familiar with the use of installed equipment such as an EFVS in all phases of flight.
A.3.3 Per § 61.66(b)(2)(iii), it is necessary that the flight training curriculum includes proper piloting techniques for the use of EFVS during instrument approaches, to include operations below the DA/DH or MDA as applicable to the EFVS operations to be
Appendix A A-6 conducted, under both day and night conditions. It may be beneficial for the curriculum to help pilots become proficient in piloting techniques using the flight director, flightpath vector cue, and flightpath angle reference cue, as well as using the EFVS during the flare, touchdown, and rollout consistent with EFVS-100 operations or EFVS-TD operations under the following conditions:
1. A sample of approach types for the EFVS operation being trained (e.g., precision and nonprecision, if applicable).
2. A sample of crosswind conditions and offset angles that emphasize the challenges of operating with the limited FOV with an EFVS.
3. EFVS operations in visibilities less than IAP minimum visibilities. This may not be practical if training is conducted in an aircraft. If the training is accomplished in a full flight simulator (FFS), conduct the training with the enhanced visibilities representative of the EFVS sensor performance.
A.3.4 Per § 61.66(b)(2)(iv), it is necessary that the flight training curriculum includes determining enhanced flight visibility. The curriculum can help pilots learn how to determine enhanced flight visibility using techniques and methods similar to the techniques and methods used for determining flight visibility when conducting an approach without an EFVS.
A.3.5 Per § 61.66(b)(2)(v), it is necessary that the flight training curriculum includes identifying required visual references appropriate to EFVS operations. The curriculum can help pilots learn how to identify required visual references using an EFVS with techniques and methods similar to the techniques and methods used for identifying the required visual references when conducting an approach without the use of an EFVS. The PM may use the PM display, if available, to assist the PF in this task.
A.3.6 Per § 61.66(b)(2)(vi), it is necessary that the flight training curriculum includes transitioning from EFVS sensor imagery to natural vision acquisition of required visual references and the runway environment. The curriculum can help pilots learn how to acquire visual references with natural vison at 100 feet during an EFVS-100 operation.
There are many acceptable techniques for identifying the visual references with natural vision while the pilot continues using the EFVS to provide the enhanced flight visibility required for the operation.
A.3.7 Per § 61.66(b)(2)(vii), if the person receiving the training will conduct EFVS operations under § 91.176(a), it is necessary that the flight training curriculum includes using EFVS sensor imagery, required aircraft flight information, and flight symbology to touchdown and rollout. The curriculum may want to emphasize completing the operation using enhanced imagery and HUD symbology in conditions applicable to the lowest visibility associated with the EFVS being used.
A.3.8 Per § 61.66(b)(2)(viii), it is necessary that the flight training curriculum includes normal, abnormal, emergency, and crew coordination procedures when using an EFVS. This can be accomplished by including the following in the curriculum:
Appendix A A-7
1. Procedures applicable to the PF and PM, crew briefings, procedures, callouts, and coordination items for EFVS operations, including annunciation of published minimums during operation below the DA/DH or MDA.
2. Procedures at 100 feet during an EFVS-100 operation.
3. EFVS failure procedures (procedures for an EFVS failure or a system degradation during an EFVS operation).
Appendix B B-1 APPENDIX B. EFVS MAINTENANCE PROGRAM AND PERSONNEL TRAINING B.1 Purpose. This appendix contains guidance for developing maintenance programs and training maintenance personnel that may be addressed in an application to conduct EFVS operations (14 CFR part 91, § 91.1111; part 121, § 121.375; and part 135, § 135.433).
B.2 Guidance for an Application. The FAA recommends that all applications submitted for an FAA authorization include documentation that addresses the following maintenance items supported by the EFVS manufacturer’s instructions for continued airworthiness (ICA), as accepted by the FAA, and proposed minimum equipment list (MEL) revisions, if applicable, listing any limitations associated with EFVS operations:
1. An operator’s maintenance program may incorporate the EFVS manufacturer’s ICA, as accepted by the FAA, and identify the person responsible for the EFVS maintenance program, any special techniques, maintenance/inspection frequencies, and test equipment required to support the continued airworthiness of the system.
2. Indicate whether the EFVS maintenance program, or equivalent, is integrated into an existing approved maintenance program (e.g., lower landing minimums program) or a separate program.
3. Identify how maintenance personnel will be trained and qualified on the EFVS and the method to record and maintain their qualifications.
4. Identify the procedure for EFVS software distribution and loading if not specified by the manufacturer’s ICAs.
5. Identify procedures used to maintain system configuration control, including parts pooling and borrowing.
6. Identify procedures for EFVS discrepancy reporting and recording.
7. Identify procedures for the MEL and logbook pertaining to upgrade/downgrade/deferral of the EFVS. An EFVS may have a discrepancy that prohibits it from being used for EFVS operations to touchdown, but not from being used for EFVS operations to 100 feet above the touchdown zone elevation (TDZE) (EFVS-100) operations.
8. Identify procedures for the MEL (e.g., remarks section, limitations, upgrade/downgrade, etc.) that ensure the EFVS status is placarded properly and clearly documented in the aircraft logbook per § 91.213(d)(3).
9. Identify procedures for notification between maintenance control, engineering, flight operations, and dispatch, or equivalent, when an aircraft’s EFVS status changes.
10. Identify procedures to ensure the downgrade of an aircraft’s EFVS status, if applicable, when maintenance was performed on the EFVS by nonqualified persons.
11. Identify procedures to monitor and identify aircraft with chronic EFVS discrepancies and restrict the aircraft from EFVS operations until appropriate corrective action and tests have been performed.
Appendix B B-2
12. Identify procedures for return to service of an EFVS following routine/nonroutine maintenance or completion of corrective action, such as:
• Tests for return to service;
• Operational check flight items;
• Component mount or rack removal/installation; and
• Structural damage or modification affecting EFVS optical alignment or system performance.
13. Indicate the EFVS program is integrated into the operator’s Continuing Analysis and Surveillance System (CASS) or reliability programs to monitor total system performance that includes sampling.
14. The FAA recommends that maintenance personnel be familiar with the operator’s approved EFVS program (or equivalent), their individual responsibilities with respect to that program, and the availability of any resources within or outside of the maintenance organization necessary to ensure program effectiveness.
15. If applicable, maintenance personnel training listed in paragraph B.3 can be addressed.
B.3 Maintenance Personnel Training for EFVS Operations. This paragraph contains guidance on maintenance personnel training for EFVS operations. The FAA recommends that maintenance personnel be knowledgeable of the operator’s EFVS program. Operator and contract maintenance personnel, including mechanics, maintenance controllers, avionics technicians, and inspection/quality assurance personnel can receive initial and recurrent training to establish and maintain an effective EFVS maintenance program.
Applications may address the following maintenance training items:
1. Identify the person(s) responsible for ensuring EFVS maintenance and inspection personnel are properly trained, knowledgeable, and current;
2. Identify how the EFVS training will be conducted (i.e., in-house or via an outside training provider);
3. Include policy and procedures that address the qualification of EFVS maintenance and inspection personnel;
4. Identify the methods and techniques used to conduct initial and recurrent training
(e.g., instructor-led training, computer-based training (CBT), or on-the-job training (OJT));
5. Identify the procedures used to record and maintain the training for initial and recurrent EFVS qualifications; and
6. Include the EFVS maintenance and inspection training curriculum that addresses the following topics:
• EFVS system overview;
• EFVS maintenance and inspection procedures;
Appendix B B-3
• EFVS personnel training and qualification for EFVS-100 operations and EFVS operations to touchdown and rollout (EFVS-TD) operations;
• EFVS-100 operations and EFVS-TD operations upgrade/downgrade procedures, including applicable status change notifications;
• MEL procedures;
• Test equipment and use;
• Return-to-service tests and procedures; and
• EFVS parts handling procedures, including handling of outside vendor parts.
Appendix C C-1 APPENDIX C. ELEMENTS OF A TRAINING CURRICULUM FOR DISPATCHERS
AND OTHER PERSONS AUTHORIZED TO EXERCISE OPERATIONAL CONTROL
FOR EFVS OPERATIONS C.1 Purpose. This appendix addresses training for dispatchers and other persons authorized to exercise operational control for EFVS operations.
C.2 Initial Training for Dispatchers and Other Persons Authorized to Exercise Operational Control. To ensure that an approach and landing can be successfully completed using EFVS, it is important that dispatchers and other persons authorized to exercise operational control fully understand the capabilities and limitations of the specific EFVS equipment installed in the operator’s aircraft. The FAA recommends that dispatchers and other persons authorized to exercise operational control understand that unique weather conditions can cause variability in how an EFVS sensor performs and that weather conditions can exceed the sensor’s ability to provide the enhanced flight visibility required to complete the approach and landing. Operational planning and continuous monitoring of weather conditions at the destination airport are especially important under these circumstances. Initial training for dispatchers and other persons authorized to exercise operational control may consist of the following:
C.2.1 Regulatory requirements applicable to the EFVS operation(s) the operator will conduct
(e.g., EFVS operations to 100 feet above the touchdown zone elevation (TDZE) (EFVS-100) operation or EFVS operations to touchdown and rollout (EFVS-TD) operation):
1. Operational concept for EFVS-100 operations or EFVS-TD operations in 14 CFR part 91, § 91.176, appropriate to the operator’s authorization to conduct EFVS operations;
2. A pplicability of EFVS operations contained in §§ 91.175, 91.176, and 91.189;
3. Regulatory requirements contained in 14 CFR part 121, §§ 121.613 and 121.615;
part 125, §§ 125.361 and 125.363; and part 135, § 135.219, as applicable, for dispatch, flight release, or takeoff under instrument flight rules (IFR) with minimums determined for the purpose of conducting an EFVS operation;
4. E xceptions for EFVS operations contained in §§ 121.651, 125.325, 125.381, and 135.225, as applicable, for continuing an approach when the reported visibility is below the minimum visibility prescribed for the instrument approach procedure (IAP) to be flown;
5. T he authorization pertinent to the EFVS operation the pilot will conduct; and
6. Exemptions or deviations from the regulations that pertain to the use of EFVS, if any.
C.2.2 Airplane Flight Manual or its supplement (AFM(S)) material pertinent to EFVS operations:
1. Type of EFVS operation the operator’s aircraft is certified to conduct; and
2. EFVS system description and operating limitations.
Appendix C C-2 C.2.3 Sensor technology, performance, and limitations:
1. Understanding the specific EFVS sensor technology or technologies installed on the operator’s aircraft;
2. EFVS sensor performance in varying weather conditions; and
3. EFVS sensor limitations, including the EFVS sensor’s ability to detect or not detect obstacles and specific types of lighting.
C.2.4 Procedures determining minimum visibilities for use with EFVS to flight release.
C.2.5 Procedures for redispatch en route with respect to EFVS operations.
C.2.6 Minimum equipment list (MEL)/Configuration Deviation List (CDL) flight release requirements and considerations.
C.2.7 Operational considerations for use of EFVS associated with:
1. Offset final approach courses;
2. Displaced thresholds;
3. Decision altitude (DA) in a turn;
4. The use of a minimum descent altitude (MDA) as a DA/decision height (DH) in accordance with FAA authorization C073, Vertical Navigation (VNAV) Instrument Approach Procedures (IAP) Using Minimum Descent Altitude (MDA) as a Decision Altitude (DA)/Decision Height (DH);
5. The use of vertical navigation (VNAV) IAPs using MDA as a DA/DH; and
6. Effect of crosswinds and approaches with inbound courses that are offset with the runway centerline when conducting EFVS operations.
C.3 Recurrent and Differences Training for Dispatchers and Other Persons Authorized to Exercise Operational Control. Recurrent training for dispatchers and other persons authorized to exercise operational control may consist of the same subject areas covered by initial training. Differences training for a new EFVS or a new EFVS operation may address the areas specified in this appendix and any additional material pertinent to the EFVS or the EFVS operation to be conducted.
Appendix D D-1 APPENDIX D. RELATED REGULATIONS AND GUIDANCE D.1 Applicable 14 CFR Regulations:
D.1.1 EFVS Definitions in Part 1, § 1.1.
D.1.2 EFVS Training, Checking, and Currency.
• Part 61, § 61.66.
• Part 91, § 91.1065.
• Part 121, §§ 121.407, 121.409, 121.441, and Appendices F and H.
• Part 125, § 125.287.
• Part 135, § 135.293.
D.1.3 EFVS Operations.
• Section 91.176.
• Section 91.189(d) and (e).
D.1.4 EFVS Begin or Continue an Approach.
• Section 91.1039.
• Section 121.651.
• Sections 125.325 and 125.381.
• Section 135.225.
D.1.5 List of Rules Subject to Waiver.
• Section 91.905.
D.2 Related FAA Advisory Circulars (AC) (current editions). You can find the following ACs at https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/advisory_circulars/:
• AC 20-167, Airworthiness Approval of Enhanced Vision System, Synthetic Vision System, Combined Vision System, and Enhanced Flight Vision System Equipment.
• AC 61-65, Certification: Pilots and Flight and Ground Instructors.
• AC 120-54, Advanced Qualification Program.
• AC 120-57, Surface Movement Guidance and Control System.
• AC 120-71, Standard Operatin g Procedures and Pilot Monitoring Duties for Flight Deck Crewmembers.
• AC 120-118, Criteria for Approval/Authorization of All Weather Operations (AWO) for Takeoff, Landing, and Rollout.
Advisory Circular Feedback Form If you find an error in this AC, have recommendations for improving it, or have suggestions for new items/subjects to be added, you may let us know by contacting the Flight Technologies and Procedures Division at 9-AWA-AFS400-Coord@faa.gov or the Flight Standards Directives Management Officer at 9-AWA-AFB-120-Directives@faa.gov.
Subject: AC 90-106B, Enhanced Flight Vision System Operations Date: _____________________ Please check all appropriate line items:
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