The FAA and EASA have approved the use of Dassault's advanced dual forward viewfinder, known as FalconEye, on the company's ultra-long-range Falcon 8X trijet, adding to the aircraft's industry-leading low-visibility operations capability.
The dual HUD configuration will ultimately allow for “EFVS-to-land” capability in near-zero conditions pending new EASA regulation.
“The bottom line is that this approval means greater safety and more capability for Falcons equipped with Dassault FalconEye, an industry-first technology”, said Carlos Brana, Executive Vice President Civil Aircraft at Dassault Aviation.
Dassault Aviation has been the undisputed leader in the development of HUD technology. In 2016, Dassault introduced FalconEye, the first head-on display system (HUD) to combine synthetic mapping, database and real images from thermal and low-light cameras. Today, an aircraft equipped with a FalconEye HUD can fly non-precision approaches to 100 feet.
Several 8X operators have already scheduled the installation of the new module, which makes it possible for both pilots to share the same synthetic and improved view, allowing one to act as a “pilot in flight” while the other monitors flight conditions. Dual HUDs increase situational awareness and simplify training at the same experience and skill level for approaches.
The dual HUD option will be certified on the Falcon 6X, which will enter service in mid-2023, and the ultra-long-range Falcon 10X, planned for certification in late 2025.
The dual HUD on the Falcon 10X will take configuration to an even more advanced level where it can serve as the "pilot's primary means of operation", freeing pilots to configure the instrument for other uses.
Meanwhile, Dassault's current HUD and FalconEye equipped aircraft can now operate up to 200 feet with a 30% Runway Visual Credit (RVR) without the need for specific approval from EASA's flight department. EASA has eased the approval requirements after taking into the improvements in HUD and EFVS technology over the past 20 years.
