Project EVA is one of the SESAR cofunded projects, which are aimed at extensively demonstrating the benefits that SESAR solutions can bring to aviation in Europe. The main objective of Project EVA is to demonstrate a measurable improvement for the probability of a GA pilot visually acquiring proximate traffic when the electronic conspicuity is used to augment the visual scan. Please follow these links for more information on Project EVA: Clued Up (15.2Mb) & Project EVA – NATS
Announcement today, 15th Feb 2016, by NATS
NATS, AOPA, Trig and f.u.n.k.e. Avionics are conducting demonstration flights with a variety of electronic conspicuity devices and we would like to invite LAA, BMAA and BGA members to participate in these trials by providing crews and aircraft for these activities.
Participation in the flight demonstrations requires no special experience other than good airmanship and a conscientious approach to flight preparation. More information for the demonstrations flights will be provided in late February or early March but the high level summary is:
For Glider Pilots
- We require at least two aircraft per demonstration session but sometimes we can match crews from other flying associations if we are given at least three days’ notice of the availability.
- We will record pilots’ actions with HD cameras and pilots will need to speak to the camera every time they see a potential conflict, and/or are warned of a conflict by equipment.
- All aircraft would need to commence the demonstration flights from the same airfield to aid preflight briefings.
- Participants will be required to complete post flight questionnaires.
For Powered Aircraft Pilots
- We require at least two aircraft per demonstration session but sometimes we can match crews from other flying associations if we are given at least three days’ notice of the availability.
- We would prefer two qualified pilots per aircraft where possible but one pilot with an observer with airmanship experience that is equivalent to a moderately experienced pilot would be sufficient.
- All aircraft would need to commence the demonstration flights from the same airfield. Participants plan their own flight profiles from the departure airfield to another airfield such that the flight paths cross regularly with safe vertical separation. The EVA coordinators will provide guidance for route selection.
- Pilots and observers have actions to perform during the flights, which will be briefed in detail prior to the flights.
- Participants land, swap roles, and return to their original airfield. Participants will be debriefed by the project coordinator(s) and will be required to complete post flight questionnaires.
Participants will use one of the following conspicuity devices:
- LPAT, which is a portable Low Power ADS-B Transceiver
- A Mode-S transponders with “Extended Squitter” capability and a GPS source
- PowerFLARM
- PilotAware
The project team can only provide the LPAT prototypes and one PowerFLARM unit, so we would be grateful to participants who can provide their own equipment.
The Project EVA team are interested to hear from anyone who is genuinely interested in demonstrating the benefit that electronic conspicuity provides to visual acquisition. Prospective volunteers should fill in either this Word document or preferably this Excel spreadsheet and return it to gps.trial@nats.co.uk. Please be patient with us while we process your enquiries, experience from the Mode-S GPS trial leads us to expect a lot of interest in this activity.
We are sorry that we cannot process applicants who do not have access to an email facility. The organisation of demonstration flights is dependent upon weather and postal communication is not viable.