Bell Helicopter

Bell offers NVG training program for civil operations

17 June 2002 --

FORT WORTH, TEXAS (June 17, 2002) - Bell Helicopter Flight Training Academy announced it is offering the first FAA-Approved CFR PART 141 Pilot Night Vision Goggle (NVG) Special Operations Course for civil helicopter operations.

"The use of night vision goggles is paramount in the military," said Gary Young, Chief of Flight Training at Bell Helicopter. "This ability extends operational capabilities and will play a vital role in law enforcement, emergency medical services and other essential helicopter operations."

In preparation for night flying, the Tucson Police Dept. upgraded its 206B-III Jet Ranger lighting to a night vision compatible cockpit. Recently the San Diego Police Dept. Aviation Unit completed their cockpit modifications to enhance their patrol and enforcement capabilities. The safety afforded by NVG operations will encourage other law enforcement agencies to follow, according to Bell management.

"Law enforcement will never be the same," said Sgt. Rich Parella of the San Diego Airborne Unit. "Once police, border patrols and other enforcement agencies are trained to fly with night vision goggles, their operations will be more effective. The same is true for medical institutions that rely on helicopters to save lives.

"The newly approved Bell Training Academy course is designed to educate flight crews to the benefit of NVG use, while demonstrating proper handling, adjustment and use of the equipment.

The NVG Course is designed around the knowledge core while assuring proper flight hours to develop skills and confidence. Proper flight scheduling allows pilots to perform simulated emergency conditions as well as autorotations to full touchdown landings.

Chief Flight Instructor for the NVG Course, Mac McMillan, assisted by Scott Baxter of the Bell pilot staff, are both Gulf War veterans and have accumulated more than three thousand flight hours using Night Vision Goggles.

As part of a cooperative venture, Bell with incorporate technology from Northrop Grumman Corporation's Electro-Optical Systems of Dallas, which provides the advanced GEN III and GEN IV goggles. Texas Aviation Services at Fort Worth's Meacham Field will provide the FAA Approved Supplemental Type Certificate for installation of an ANVIS WHITE led-based auxiliary lighting system in Bell's training aircraft, which is a 206B-3 Jet Ranger. REB Technologies of Bedford, Texas, has provided the technology for the SPIDER Light Illumination System.