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CubCrafters has introduced a new thermal infrared imaging system option for Garmin G3X-equipped aircraft to improve the flight crew's situational awareness during air and ground operations in low visibility or light situations.
The new technology was developed in collaboration with Hood Tech Aero for CubCrafters aircraft, fully integrated with the Garmin G3X Avionics package, which is a popular choice amongst backcountry pilots. The camera features the smallest pixel pitch Long Wave Infrared sensor available and is meant to improve the safety features of the Garmin synthetic vision display. It displays enhanced infrared imagery for pilots on the G3X screen at the same scale, same field of view and with the same horizon as the built-in synthetic vision system.
A pilot can turn a knob and see both the synthetic and enhanced vision systems displayed side-by-side. This ability can give the pilot a greater level of situational awareness in low light or low visibility operations. The camera can easily infiltrate shadow, smoke, haze or complete darkness, showing the pilot terrain, roads, buildings, runways and antennas. The camera is wing-mounted and designed to be as small, lightweight, automated and maintenance-free as possible.
"We're really proud of what we've developed," said Brian Prange, the project manager for Hood Tech Aero. "We have an amazing amount of technology designed into a very small package. We're only adding a few ounces to the aircraft and only using a very small amount of power, yet it's a huge new capability that is always there and ready to go whenever the pilot needs it."
"The camera system was originally developed as part of a government contract for USDA predator control aircraft, but should have wide appeal to consumers," CubCrafters VP Brad Damm said. "Nearly every backcountry pilot has experienced the scenario of a late afternoon flight with the sun low on the horizon, haze in the air, and a remote mountain airstrip nearly impossible to see down in a valley and deep in shadow. With this system you just quickly flip over to the IR camera, and you can see everything that's going on."
The new feature is immediately available for new experimental category CubCrafters aircraft and the company anticipates to have retrofit kits and certified aircraft approvals completed by the end of 2023.
"Our company has always been an innovative leader in flight safety," CubCrafters President Patrick Horgan said. "From toe brakes to whole aircraft parachutes, we've often adapted big aircraft technology to be smaller, lighter, and better for the backcountry. This system is yet another example of our ongoing commitment to give consumers the safest aircraft and best performing aircraft in our class."