FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute

Report No: DOT/FAA/AM-20/16

Title and Subtitle: The Use of Enhanced Flight Vision Systems (EFVS) for Low-visibility Takeoffs: Equivalence for Level of Safety

Report Date: September 2020

Authors: Beringer DB, Fercho KA

Abstract: Twelve Part 121 operations commercial-carrier crews completed low-visibility takeoffs at Memphis International Airport using an Enhanced Flight Vision System (EFVS). A 2x2x2x3 factorial design with runway visual range (500 and 700 feet RVR), runway edge lighting (High Intensity or Medium Intensity) and two levels of EFVS (either captain's Head-Up Display only or with additional first-officer's Head-Down repeater) was used along with supplemental sample points and several baseline trials representing current-authorization conditions. Tasks included normal takeoffs, EFVS failure (both continue and reject trials), and engine failure (reject).

There were no significant maineffects of display or infrastructure in the main design (500 and 700 feet RVR), and pilot performances in the experimental trials with EFVS were not markedly different from the baseline (current authorization) trials. All crews were able to stop the aircraft successfully on the runway during rejected takeoffs. Pilots uniformly believed they could successfully complete takeoffs or reject themin lower visibilities with EFVS as compared with using the Head-Up Display without EFVS, which was supported by observed performance.

Key Words: Enhanced Flight Visions Systems, Low-visibility operations, Pilot takeoff performance, Equivalent level of safety

No. of Pages: 88