Night Vision Goggles - How they work
NVG works by intensifying the available ambient light (moonlight, starlight, street lights etc) up to 3500 times - creating an image which appears green when viewed through the goggles. This enhances the pilot's visual acuity at night to 20/25 vision as opposed to unaided vision at night of 20/200. The difference of flying at night with or without goggles is like comparing driving along the road at night with your park lights on rather than with your headlights on full.
Helicopters Otago Limited was instrumental in the introduction of Night Vision Goggles in New Zealand. These are now used by many Emergency Rescue Helicopter Operations throughout New Zealand and required obtaining the consent and approval of the US State Department, and the Prime Minister of New Zealand.
We have three helicopters which are certified for NVG Operations and use the latest technology goggles available (ANVIS 9) The introduction of Night Vision Goggles has been the single most important advance in night flying Operations for the Rescue Helicopter Service in decades and has significantly enhanced the overall safety for the flight crew and allow a better operational capability
NVG Servicing and Maintenance
We are a CAA certified Part 145 Maintenance Organisation for maintaining and servicing Night Vision Goggles. We currently service in our purpose built NVG Laboratory most of the goggles being used within New Zealand and Australia.
