From: "Marvin Kaye" <marv@lancaironline.net>
Subject: Re: Night vision goggles vs. FLIR
To: lml
Date: Thu, 15 Feb 2007 11:48:22 -0500
Message-ID: <web-1839836@logan.com>
In-Reply-To: <011e01c7511e$8cf76240$6501a8c0@chameleop6o0n0>
References: <011e01c7511e$8cf76240$6501a8c0@chameleop6o0n0>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain;charset="windows-1250";format="flowed"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit

Posted for "Rienk Ayers" <rienk.ayers@sreyaaviation.com>:

  Night Vision goggles may be able to see through smoke and fog better,
  but the issue is more practical than that. No “normal” pilot will be
  able to safely use goggles in flight, let alone in an emergency. Who in
  the world is going to be flying continuously through smoke that is too
  thick for FLIR? Who is going to be flying VFR through fog that is too
  thick for FLIR? What do the regs say about landing in such conditions?
  The issue of goggles’ advantages is a moot point – the only “safe”
  option when it comes to enhanced vision for non military flying is FLIR.
  Neither tool is an excuse to get into otherwise unsafe conditions, but
  it sure does bring peace of mind, and I’m definitely not going to try to
  strap on an awkward headset and lose my depth perception and cockpit
  orientation in conditions that are as stressful as would warrant these
  tools in the first place.
  The cost of FLIR is prohibitive to many, but the advantages are
  unquestionable.
  RA