EFVS Overview

Provided by

Flight Technologies and Procedures Division

Flight Operations Group
10/1/2018
Revision: Original
This presentation is intended to provide a
brief overview of the basics of EFVS. It is
not intended to be used as a replacement of
any regulation, order, or guidance material.

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EFVS Basics

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 EFVS Basics

EFVS Basics Federal Aviation 4

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 What is an EFVS?
An installed aircraft system that
uses a HUD or equivalent display
to present:
 Aircraft Information
 Flight Symbology
 Electronic real-time sensor image
of the forward external scene

Imaging sensors can be forward-looking

infrared, millimeter wave radiometry,
millimeter wave radar, low-light level image
intensification or other real-time imaging
technologies.

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 Are other systems eligible for EFVS Operations ?
The following systems DO NOT meet the equipment requirements of an EFVS
eligible to conduct operations under § 91.176(a)(1) or (b)(1):
 An image presented on a head-down display (HDD)
 An image displayed on a HUD without symbology or guidance information
 A Synthetic Vision System (SVS)
 A Synthetic Vision Guidance System (SVGS)

 A NVIS/NVG

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 What are the Components of an EFVS ?

An EFVS includes the display element,

sensors, computers and power supplies,
indications, and controls.

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 What is an EFVS Operation ?
Definition in Regulation (14 CFR § 1.1):
EFVS operation means an operation in which visibility
conditions require an EFVS to be used in lieu of natural
vision to perform an approach or landing, determine
enhanced flight visibility, identify required visual
references, or conduct a rollout.

Plain Language:
An EFVS operation is conducted when a pilot uses the enhanced
image provided by an EFVS to operate in the visual segment of an
instrument approach and land because flight visibility is not sufficient
the meet the requirements to do so with only natural vision.

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What is an EFVS Operation to 100 feet above TDZE ?
 Regulation – 14 CFR § 91.176(b)
 The Operation
• Uses enhanced vision imagery alone to descend below DA/DH or
MDA to 100 feet above the TDZE
• Uses a combination of enhanced imagery and natural vision to
descend below 100 feet above the TDZE
 The Eligible Approaches
• Conducted on IAPs that have DA/DH or MDA (no circling)
 The EFVS (AFM statement)
• Certified as an Approach System, or
• Eligible for operations under 91.176(b), or
• Eligible for operations under 91.175 (l) and (m) [old EFVS regulation]
 The Required Authorization (OpSpec/MSpec/LOA C048)
• All operators require authorization except part 91 operators. An
optional LOA may be obtained by part 91 operators to facilitate
approvals and inspections by foreign authorities.

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EFVS Operation to 100 feet above TDZE

14+ years of EFVS operating experience

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What is an EFVS Operation to Touchdown & Rollout ?

 Regulation – 14 CFR § 91.176(a)

 The Operation
• Uses enhanced vision imagery alone to descend below DA/DH to
touchdown and rollout
 The Eligible Approaches
• Conducted on IAPs that have DA/DH
 The EFVS (AFM statement)
• Certified as a Landing System, or
• Eligible for operations under 91.176(a)
 The Required Authorization (OpSpec/Mspec/LOA C048)
• Required for all operators
• Limited to visibilities 1000 RVR or greater with a certified Approach or
Landing System.

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EFVS to Touchdown and Rollout

EFVS Basics Federal Aviation 12

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 What are the EFVS Regulations?
Flight Planning Approach Decision EFVS
May dispatch/release a May begin the approach Operation
flight if the forecast if the reported visibility
visibility is equal to or is equal to or greater Descent below
greater than EFVS than EFVS Minimum DA/DH or MDA
Minimum Visibility Visibility
(above authorized
minimums) Enhanced
Flight
§ 121.613 Pilot Requirements Visibility
§ 125.361 § 61.66
§ 135.219 § 121.651
§ 125.325 § 91.176
§ 135.225

Forecast Reported
Visibility Ground
Visibility

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 Flight Planning
Provisions of a certificate holder’s operations specifications for EFVS
operations may define authorized minimums for use with EFVS to
dispatch/release an airplane.
 § 121.613 Dispatch or flight release under IFR or over the top
 § 125.361 Flight release under IFR or over-the-top
 § 135.219 IFR: Destination airport weather minimums

Approach Decision
Provisions of a certificate holder’s operations specifications for EFVS operations
will define the IAP minimum visibility for use with an EFVS.
 § 121.651 Takeoff and landing weather minimums: IFR: All certificate holders
 § 125.325 Instrument approach procedures and IFR landing minimums
 § 135.225 IFR: Takeoff, approach and landing minimums

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 EFVS Operation
An operator’s authorization for EFVS operations (OpSpec/ MSpec/ LOA
C048) authorizes EFVS operations to touchdown and rollout and/or EFVS
operations to 100 feet above the touchdown zone elevation
 § 91.176 Straight-in landing operations below DA/DH or MDA using an
enhanced flight vision system (EFVS) under IFR

Pilot Requirements
Pilots conducting EFVS Operations are subject to the pilot requirements in
this regulation which defines the types of EFVS training and recent flight
experience required for conducting EFVS operations.
 § 61.66 Enhanced Flight Vision System Pilot Requirements

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 EFVS Authorizations

EFVS Authorizations Federal Aviation 16

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Slide 1 of 8 Administration
 What is the EFVS Authorization?
The EFVS Authorization is designated OpSepc C048, MSpec MC048, or LOA
C048, Enhanced Flight Vision System Operations.

C048 Authorizes TWO types of EFVS operation

1. § 91.176 (a) EFVS Operations to Touchdown and Rollout
2. § 91.176 (b) EFVS Operations to 100 feet above touchdown zone
elevation

C048 authorizes EFVS Operational Credit and contains unique provisions

that apply to Part 121,125, and 135 operations.

The authorization is issued by FSDOs and CHDOs with the assistance of the
Flight Technologies and Procedures Division, Flight Operations Group.

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Who needs an authorization to conduct an
EFVS operation?
EFVS Operations EFVS Operations
Operations Conducted to to
Under: Touchdown and Rollout 100 Feet Above TDZE
§ 91.176(a) § 91.176(b)

Parts 121, 125, and 135 OpSpec C048 OpSpec C048

Part 125 LODA (125M) LOA C048 LOA C048

Part 91 (subpart K) MSpec C048 MSpec C048

Part 91 NONE
LOA C048
NOTE: Optional LOA C048 to
facilitate approval with foreign
authorities

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 What are the EFVS Operational Provisions?
C048 authorizations for those operating under part 121,125, 125M,
and 135 contain provisions to:

1. Dispatch/flight release an airplane when the forecast visibility at

destination is below minimums, and

2. Begin or continue an approach when reported visibility is lower

than IAP visibility minimums.

These provisions are based on demonstrated performance (visual

advantage) of the installed EFVS sensor.

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 What is EFVS Performance (Visual Advantage) ?

The measured
difference between
the distance required
to see an object with
natural vision and
the distance required
to see that object
with the enhanced
vision provided by
an installed EFVS
sensor.

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 Why Demonstrate Visual Advantage?
• EFVS sensor performance (visual advantage) is evaluated during
aircraft certification and is used to determine the maximum amount
of operational credit that can be authorized for a specific EFVS
installation.

• A statement of EFVS demonstrated performance may be found in

the AFM.

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 What is EFVS Operational Credit?
 EFVS operational credit is the authorized reduction of IAP visibility
minimums to initiate an instrument approach procedure or to
dispatch/release to a destination with the use of an EFVS
 EFVS operational credit is annotated in Table 1 of part 121,125,
125M, and 135 authorizations.
Sample C048 Table 1 – Authorized Airplanes, Equipment, and EFVS Operations

Airplane EFVS EFVS EFVS

(M/M/S) System/Sensor Operations Operational Credit

 Recommended EFVS operational credit for an installed

EFVS/Sensor may be found in the Operational Suitability Report,
Operational Credit for EFVS

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What are the Minimum Visibilities for the use of EFVS?
The OpSpec contains a tables to be used for determining authorized minimum visibilities to
use with an EFVS.
Table 2A - Determining IAP Visibility Minimums with EFVS (RVR) Table 2B - Determining IAP Visibility Minimums with EFVS (Statute Mile)

These tables only appear in authorizations for Part 121,125, and 135 operators that have
been authorized to reduce IAP minimum visibilities to initiate an instrument approach
procedure or to dispatch/release to a destination with the use of EFVS.

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 Application for C048

Application for C048 Federal Aviation 24

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Slide 1 of 5 Administration
Where is the guidance for submitting an application?
 Advisory Circular (AC) 90-106 (current version)
• Primary industry document for operational EFVS Information
• Contains recommended application requirements to obtain an authorization
to conduct EFVS operations

 FAA Order 8900.1 Volume 4 Chapter 17

• Instructions for aviation safety inspectors that are tasked with evaluating an
EFVS application
• Section 1 contains evaluation instructions
• Section 2 contains administrative instructions for completing the
authorization template in WebOpss

 Operational Suitability Report, Operational Credit for EFVS

• Contains recommendations for operational credit for eligible EFVS sensor
installations. Located in FSIMS.

Application for C048 Federal Aviation 25

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 Where to start?
 Applicants should review the current version of AC 90-
106. All requirements for an application are listed in
Section 10.

 FAA Inspectors will use 8900.1 Volume 4, Chapter 17,

Section 1 for guidance.

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 Who is involved in the process?
 Applicants
• Provide the supporting information/documentation and conduct the
necessary demonstrations to the FAA as outlined in the current
version of AC 90-106.

 Principal Operations Inspectors

• Manage the evaluation;
• Conduct the review; and
• Issue the final authorization.

 Flight Technologies & Procedures Division, Flight Operations Group

• Provides technical and policy support when requested, and
• Coordinates with other FAA offices as necessary.

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 What will the evaluation process look like?
Applicant should expect the FAA to use a five-phase evaluation
process described in FAA Order 8900.1, Volume 3, Chapter 1, Section
1 as a general guideline for conducting the evaluation. Each evaluation
is unique and inspectors may adapt as necessary.

 PHASE 1 - Applicant and FAA review requirements for the application

 PHASE 2 - Applicant submits the formal application

 PHASE 3 - FAA reviews the application

 PHASE 4 – Demonstration phase - FAA observes operator’s ability to perform in

accordance with their application

 PHASE 5 – Final approval for the authorization

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 EFVS Performance Database

EFVS Performance Database Federal Aviation 29

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Slide 1 of 6 Administration
 What is the EFVS performance database?
 A cloud-based database that uses a web-based
software application for data input.

 The development of the database and user interface is

sponsored by the Flight Technologies and Procedures
Division in collaboration with the Civil Aerospace
Medical Institute’s (CAMI) Human Factors Research
Division.

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 Web-based user (pilot)
interface

The web-based user interface is

designed to give participating pilots
a simple way to report on EFVS
sensor performance experienced
during an instrument approach
procedure. The application is
designed to be integrated with the
technology commonly available in
today’s paperless cockpits.

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 What are the benefits of the app ?
 Ability to additional collect sensor performance information
• during line operations, and
• in a wide variety of environmental conditions.

 Data may be analyzed to:

• Evaluate effectiveness of EFVS performance based concepts
• Consider improvements to EFVS policy based on data-driven
decision making.
• Improve operational reliability in low visibilities.

 May facilitate operational demonstrations

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 Who is required to participate?

 Participation in the data collection is not mandatory but is highly

encouraged for all EFVS users to build a more complete sensor
performance database,

 Operators applying for C048 may find the use of the application
beneficial in meeting the requirements of the demonstration
phase.

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 Who do I contact to participate?
Please contact the project lead if you are interested in learning more about
participating in the EFVS sensor performance data collection program.

Daniela Kratchounova, Ph.D.

Federal Aviation Administration
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute
6500 S. MacArthur Blvd.
Oklahoma City, OK 73169
Email: Daniela.Kratchounova@faa.gov
Phone: (405) 954-6841

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 EFVS Point of Contact

EFVS POC Federal Aviation 35

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Slide 1 of 2 Administration
C. Scott McLellan
Aviation Safety
Flight Technologies and Procedures
EFVS Policy
O: 202-267-4363

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