EASA SIB 2013-15: Maintenance of Night Vision Imaging Systems (NVIS)

What to do

Operators and maintenance personnel should verify that Instructions for Continued Airworthiness are current and correctly applied, ensure NVIS equipment is properly maintained, and confirm that maintenance staff are trained on NVIS requirements. Flightcrews must report any NVIS-related issues promptly to maintenance. Additionally, aircraft configuration should be periodically checked for compliance with Supplemental Type Certificates, and corrective action should be taken before further flight if discrepancies are found. No explicit compliance deadline is stated.

Summary

EASA Safety Information Bulletin 2013-15 is an advisory document addressing the maintenance of Night Vision Imaging Systems (NVIS) on all aircraft equipped with such systems. It endorses the FAA Safety Alert for Operators (SAFO) 10022, which highlights potential deficiencies in NVIS configuration and maintenance that can affect night vision goggle operations. The bulletin applies broadly to all NVIS-equipped aircraft regardless of origin and aims to raise awareness among operators and maintenance personnel.

What changed

EASA SIB 2013-15 introduces explicit endorsement and application of FAA SAFO 10022 recommendations to all NVIS-equipped aircraft within EASA's jurisdiction. It does not impose mandatory requirements but emphasizes the importance of proper NVIS maintenance and configuration to ensure safety. This bulletin clarifies that the safety concern does not currently warrant an Airworthiness Directive under EU regulations.

Why it matters

Proper maintenance and configuration of NVIS are critical to ensuring flightcrew can effectively use night vision goggles, which directly impacts flight safety during night operations. Operators, maintenance organizations, and flightcrews must be vigilant to prevent degraded NVIS performance caused by improper equipment installation or maintenance. Awareness and adherence to these recommendations help avoid blind spots and visibility issues that could compromise safe aircraft operation.