G'day MPT. Yep, Ross has been one of those that has contributed by input and suggestions during the process, and is still making contributions.
The current HAA position ratified at the last meeting by 60 odd attendees was that since NVG are a safety device, all categories of night operations
should have access to them. A safety case for restricting NVG to say just Police, or EMS, has yet to surface, the US allow all categories, and having 15 years of civ ops is considered enough of a trial period, hence the industry position.
CASA, understandably, would like the introduction of NVG to go slowly, and their current position is to restrict NVG to police/EMS/SAR/Marine Pilot Transfer (or MPT as if you didn't know
). This difference should be resolved in the next month or so, and I would see a compromise as being an initial restriction that is lifted over time as NVG use matures.
The cost of a cockpit is now between $20,000 and $110,000 AUS (or more) depending upon what sort of solution you want. Simple floodlighting on a single is $20K and up, through to an existing STC on a medium twin right up to a fully military covert style cockpit mod (no floodlighting, individual instruments modified, external lighting as well, etc) of well over the $100,000 mark. A factory option is the most expensive, with NVG compatiblility factory fitted on the AW-139 being rumoured to be as much as $300,000 US!
Current proposals covering the use of NVG in MPT and other over water ops reads (remember this is NOT the final draft: just the current proposal and a ratified industry position modified by CASA requirements):
Over water and Shipboard Operations.
Due to the difficulty of accurate height assessment when using NVG over water, Operators intending to allow such operations (including for operations to/from ships, vessels, small islands, platforms, etc) are to establish relevant procedures in the Operations Manual, including a risk management plan. Some of the risk factors that might be considered are (but should not be limited to):
• Illumination levels and hover references,
• Surface disturbance and/or floating objects,
• Hover Vs forward speed,
• Autopilot, auto hover functions and stability systems,
• Training and recency requirements,
• Landing site Lighting compatibility, movement and size, and/or
• Sea state and wind.