Aviation safety support firm Wyvern (Booth W101) is now recommending the VisionSafe Emergency Vision Assurance System (EVAS) to customers for cockpit smoke emergencies. EVAS, which is STC’d for many business aircraft types, “provides a clear space of air through which a pilot can see flight instruments and out the front windshield for landing.”

The move is part of Wyvern’s new effort to further aviation safety by identifying key safety issues and partnering with companies that provide the best solutions. “As a company that studies and advocates aviation safety, many of our customers consult with us about their risk-management needs beyond our own suite of services,” said Wyvern CEO Art Dawley.

Under these circumstances, the company has brought EVAS to the attention of operators who want to preemptively address smoke-in-cockpit safety concerns. “So bringing VisionSafe on as a strategic partner is a way for us to address these risks and provide solutions for our customers,” Dawley said.

According to VisionSafe (Booth V063), there are an average of three aircraft smoke events daily in the U.S. On average, one out of three require an emergency landing due to smoke, it noted. In addition, the Flight Safety Foundation ranks smoke/fire emergencies as the third-highest cause of fatalities. At least 1,240 lives have been lost in crashes where smoke and pilots’ inability to see their instruments was cited as the primary cause, FSF data shows.

Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems

Wyvern recent announced the launch of its EXACT safety assessment program for remotely piloted aerial systems (RPAS). The program (an acronym for excellence through assessment, consistency and training) is based on ICAO’s Document 10019 covering guidelines for RPAS operations. It will involve accrediting safety assessors and establishing a preferred vendor network of RPAS operators, available to Wyvern’s clients through its proprietary safety intelligence tools.