Coming on the heels of the certification of the Falcon 8X, Dassault Aviation has achieved both EASA and FAA certification for its FalconEye Combined Vision System. The FalconEye certification currently includes installation in the Falcon 2000S and LHX bizjets and is expected to be approved for a dual HUD installation in the 8X in 2018. Dassault said more than 90 percent of its 8X customers have chosen the FalconEye option.
FalconEye provides an improved HUD view by combining synthetic, database-driven terrain mapping with thermal and low-light camera images. Dassault says the system provides higher definition images and a wider angle than previous HUDs, giving pilots a view similar to military FLIR images.
“FalconEye’s SVS function will provide a level of vision quality comparable to that of the most sophisticated fighter HUDs, leading to a substantial improvement in situational awareness and flight safety,” said Dassault Aviation’s test pilot Philippe Rebourg. During the certification effort, the system was tested in challenging low-visibility weather conditions such as fog, mist and snow.
The system’s modular design also allows for future modifications, such as the addition of enhanced vision system (EVS). “The EVS function will eventually provide operational credits for bad weather approaches with 100-foot minimums, providing operators with a substantial operational benefit as well,” Rebourg said.
