Aero Dynamix, Inc.

I. INTRODUCTION Aero Dynamix, Inc. is an industry leader providing night vision goggle (NVG) compatible lighting solutions to the aviation industry. We pride ourselves in being a flexible organization with extensive in-house capabilities to provide solutions for a difficult problem. A brief explanation of the problem and a discussion of the solutions are provided below. II. CONFLICTING TECHNICAL ISSUES 1. Night Vision Goggles (NVG) provides an extraordinary, greatly enhanced, capability for the pilot/observer to see outside the aircraft at night. This enhanced vision allows the pilot to fly closer to terrain and perform safe landings and takeoffs as well as provide covert surveillance. The NVG are sensitive to infra-red (IR) light which comes from the stars and the moon. The IR light reflects off the terrain, is intensified by the goggles, and is seen by the person wearing the Night Vision Goggles. 2. Cockpit lighting allows a pilot to see his instruments and avionics at night. All advisory and warning lights are a FAA mandated color. This lighting is required for normal, nighttime operation without NVG. This lighting, however, is usually incandescent and normally emits more than 90% of its energy in the IR range that NVG are sensitive to. This vast amount of lighting blinds the NVGs since they are designed to operate with small amount of reflected light. Most civilian and many military aircraft were not designed to be NVG compatible so no thought was given by the various equipment manufacturers to the type of lighting that was utilized. The only design requirements were FAA required colors, night readability, and in the case of equipment with electronic displays, sunlight readability. There is no single solution or approach that can be used to make aircraft lighting NVG compatible because there are so many lighting sources by so many different equipment manufacturers. III. VARIOUS INDUSTRY APPROACHES TO THE PROBLEM 1. In the early stages of aviation NVG operation the most common approach would be to turn off all lighting and tape over the Annunciator and Warning lights. While the goggles would work properly with this method it obviously had it shortcomings. In the event of an emergency the warning and identification of problems would be impaired. This was unacceptable and UNSAFE. Sadly, there are still a few operations that try this approach. 2. Another early practice was to utilize Flood lights to illuminate large areas and Post lights to illuminate switches, gauges, and other smaller areas. While these approaches are satisfactory in some instances, the problem of shadowing and poor light coverage was frequently encountered. 3227 WEST EULESS BOULEVARD EULESS TEXAS 76040 USA

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3. The application of filter films over most or all light sources to eliminate the incompatible light was another method that was widely used and is still in use today. This presented another problem. Much of the avionics equipment in use today is electronic displays. With the application of a filter film over the displays many of them were difficult or impossible to read during bright daylight conditions. Glare in certain circumstances also impaired the readability in bright sunlight conditions. 4. Another approach in use widely today is the application of filter lens assemblies over light sources. There has been significant advances made in the quality and effectiveness of the lens material available today but the issue of daylight readability and glare can still be a problem in some instances. 5. Internal modifications of equipment to change the light sources to true NVG compatible lighting is another method of achieving compatibility. This method works great from a technical perspective in many applications but it presents another problem of its own. Many of the equipment manufacturers are reluctant to support equipment with nonfactory authorized modifications and will de-mod the equipment before factory service and return it to the customer in a non NVG compatible configuration. 6. Edge lit panel overlays (ELPs) or eyebrows are another option for lighting a single instrument or groups of instruments. This approach provides excellent, uniform NVG compatible lighting for many types of instruments but is not satisfactory for some equipment such as Attitude Indicators and Horizontal Situation Indicators (HSIs). These instruments have contoured displays or multiple types of information displayed that cannot be illuminated effectively from outer edge. These instruments require internal lighting modifications. 7. Switches and Circuit Breaker Panels are effectively illuminated with ELPs or overlays. Many times the approach to NVG compatible lighting for these items are post lights and flood light assemblies. This can lead to shadows and poor illumination. IV. THE AERO DYNAMIX APPROACH Aero Dynamix, Inc. has developed a comprehensive approach to the problem of NVG compatible lighting. To some extent, all of the previously discussed methods except the first can be utilized when configuring an entire aircraft. The following is a list of possible modifications that can be utilized. Many times there are multiple options for various types of equipment. 1. Internal Modifications: Aero Dynamix has worked closely with several of the leading avionics and equipment manufacturers to approve internal lighting modifications that are superior in performance to external application of filters. We have also established a FAA certified repair facility to service any equipment that has Aero Dynamix installed modifications.

(817) 571-0729

3227 WEST EULESS BOULEVARD EULESS TEXAS 76040 USA

www.aerodynamix.com

Fax (817) 283-5432

Aero Dynamix, Inc.

2. External Filters: We have full in-house manufacturing with FAA PMA approval. We have CNC production capability for custom fabrication of filter bezels and frames. We utilize 14 different types of filter material to address different application requirements. 3. Lighted Overlays: Aero Dynamix has in house manufacturing for ELPs or overlays. We have CNC machining along with Laser etching machines for graphics on the panels. The graphics are measured during the etching process with luminance photometers for light uniformity on all graphics. This approach can be utilized for lighting large groups of instruments or as eyebrows for individual instruments. The same process is utilized when manufacturing NVG lighted overlays for circuit breaker panels and switch panel assemblies. 4. Caution Panels and Switch Legends: New filter legends are manufactured for caution panel light segments, switch legends, and annunciator lights. The concept of large filter frames over caution panels and large annunciator assemblies is not used by Aero Dynamix. They often lead to daylight readability problems. 5. Cockpit Map Lights and Flood Lights are modified with the application of high quality lens material instead of simple tape filters. 6. External Lighting: If exterior lighting is requested all external lighting including step lights, flood lights, position lights, and any other type specialty lighting is addressed with appropriate modifications. 7. Covert Lighting: Aero Dynamix manufacturers covert lighting assemblies that can be utilized as formation lights, ground illumination and other applications. These assemblies produce light that is invisible to the naked eye but is clearly visible through Night Vision Goggles. V. NVIS GREEN OR NVIS WHITE Aero Dynamix can provide either type of NVG compatible lighting. NVIS white is typically utilized in any area that requires the ability to see and recognize the color red. It is utilized in many instrument areas that have red arcs or markings and is especially useful in lighting medical areas where recognition of blood is important. VI. SERVICE QUALITY THROUGH FORMAL PROCEDURES Every unit modified by Aero Dynamix follows the same procedural path from start to completion. 1. Unit is received and subjected to a functional test. 3227 WEST EULESS BOULEVARD EULESS TEXAS 76040 USA

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2. Any required repairs are performed. 3. The unit is then modified in accordance with our FAA approved modification procedure. 4. After modification the unit is tested in accordance with approved test procedures. 5. The unit is then inspected by our QA department and subjected to luminance level and light leakage testing. 6. After testing is complete an FAA 8130-3 is issued. 7. Unit is returned to customer for installation. VII. AERO DYNAMIX OFFERS KEY BENEFITS FOR THE CUSTOMER 1. FAA Approved Modification Procedures. 2. STC Approvals for many types of aircraft. Additional STC projects are underway. Existing STC approval saves down time and is the most comprehensive approach for full aircraft modifications. 3. Fully STCd kits can be provided for installation at Airframe Manufacturers, Modification Centers and the Customers own support facilities. 4. Full Support of products at Aero Dynamixs FAA Repair Station C73R723N. 5. Warranty Support of all modified equipment. Aero Dynamix is an approved OEM repair station for many manufacturers and will facilitate warranty repairs on any equipment that we modify. 6. PMA- Aero Dynamix has FAA Parts Manufacturing Approval to allow shipping and replacement of parts utilized in our Modification Procedures. 7. ITAR- Aero Dynamix has expertise in State Department Licensing under ITAR regulations. 8. Factory Approval for Honeywell, Garmin, Shadin, and other OEM manufactures. 9. FAA 8130-3 Airworthiness Certificates- All modifications are functionally tested and FAA 8130-3 certificates are issued. 10. FAA DER (Designated Engineering Representative) on staff.

(817) 571-0729

3227 WEST EULESS BOULEVARD EULESS TEXAS 76040 USA

www.aerodynamix.com

Fax (817) 283-5432