Enhanced Flight Vision Systems (EFVS) in Grumman Albatross

Enhanced Flight Vision Systems (EFVS) flight tests bring together many aspects of avionics, displays and electro-optics testing as well as workload assessment. This makes the EFVS testing exercise the ideal capstone project for the Avionics Systems Flight Test phase of our courses.

Our Grand Old Lady, the Grumman HU-16 Albatross, recently deployed to St Clair County Airport (KPHN) in Michigan for the first-ever EFVS testing campaign. Only a 30 min flight time away from London (CYXU), it provided better prevailing weather conditions, very low traffic airspace and a great operating base. Many ILS approaches in varying daytime, dusk and nighttime conditions were flown.

The exercise was successful and proved we have an excellent educational tool. As a result, a second Head-Up Display is being installed at the captain’s station, making N7025J the only glass cockpit, dual HUD and EFVS equipped Grumman Albatross in the world!