V4004

=NVG Human Factors FTI p8-15= Although superior to unaided night vision, NVGs are another instrument. As such, they must be cross-checked with other instruments.

=Visual performance FTI 8-15=
 * NVG Spatial Orientation - visual sensory cues provide the strongest input to SA. thus, NVGs can cause various misperceptions and illusions due to degraded visual environment, high task-loading, and fatigue
 * Field Of View - compared to the human eye, goggles have about 40 deg vice 190 for a FOV. an aggressive scan is needed to compensate.
 * Visual acuity and Resolution - unlike normal vision, NVGs do not provide direct viewing of an object, they are a representation, like a TV. visual pictures can be degraded by lack of contrast, misadjustments, and manufacturing defects
 * Additional visual cues - depth perception, distance estimation, and optical flow (detected by peripheral vision) are all degraded by the use of NVGs. however, poor depth perception (which is generally good) is confused with poor distance estimation.  objects will usually appear farther away than they really are.
 * Dark Adaptation - Complete adaptation is not needed due to the light produced. standard night proceedures will enhance the unaided periphial vision, though.  After removal of the goggles, 5-10 min are needed to regain night vision.

=Fatigue (p 8-18)= 1.acute - short term; feeling worn out; relived by a nights rest
 * three types

2.cumulative - less intense; an accumulation over days or weeks. result of extended work with little time off or insufficient sleep; 'burned out'. takes longer to recover

3.circadian - caused by disruption of the 'body-clock'

=Complacency/Overconfidence (8-19)=
 * NVGs do not turn night into day; however, after becoming comfortable in low light conditions, some become overly-comfortable in high illum.
 * Cross-check with other instruments to validate 'true' attitude, altitude, and airspeed.
 * Beware of flying into IIMC while on goggles. If light-sources start getting fuzzy halos around them, you're probably in light clouds: get out.

=Flight OPS w/ NVDs (OPNAV)= from OPNAV 3710.7U p5-42,43 5.7.2 Operating Limitations (NOTE: This is excerpt does not include major revisions from Interim Change 39)
 * a. NVD operations using image-intensifying devices, such as AN/AVS-9, AN/AVS-6, or MXU-810/U (CATSEYEs), shall be conducted in VMC. Flight in IMC for purposes of conducting standard instrument departures and instrument approaches is permitted while under positive radar control. Entering IMC during VFR training is prohibited. Inadvertent IMC procedures shall be briefed for all NVD flights.
 * b. Aircraft interior lighting should be NVD compatible to the maximum extent possible.
 * c. Aircraft exterior lighting shall comply with applicable FAA regulations unless exemptions have been approved. However, the anti-collision lights need not be lighted when the pilot in command determines that, because of operating conditions, it would be in the interest of safety to turn the lights off. In restricted areas, position lights of multiaircraft flights of up to four aircraft on NVDs may fly with lead through dash threes navigation and anti-collision lights off. If applicable, formation and blade tip lights shall be on at the highest intensity consistent with NVD compatibility. The last aircraft in each flight shall have navigation lights on at the highest intensity consistent with NVD compatibility and anticollision lights on.
 * d. Minimum illumination requirements shall be established by CNO/CMC for the conduct of NVD training flights/missions. The approved methods of deriving illumination levels are the Solar/Lunar Almanac Program (SLAP) computer program or as determined by a CNO/CMC-approved study of the illumination level under various conditions. The SLAP Computer Program is available on the MAWTS-1 [(http://www.tediv.usmc.mil/mawts1)], NAVOCEANO and SIPRNET Websites. Illumination levels must be tempered with sound judgment and the effects of cloud cover, humidity, haze, dust, low moon angles, etc., considered. For characterization purposes, low light as used in Appendix H, paragraph H.3, is defined as light level less than 0.0022 lux. Other than low light is defined as light level greater than or equal to 0.0022 lux.
 * e. NVD aircrews shall complete an approved NVD training syllabus and be certified by the commanding officer with a NATOPS flight qualification jacket entry for NVD operations. Training should include demonstrations of the limits to NVD capabilities imposed by environmental conditions and human factors. A Night Imaging and Threat Evaluation (NITE) Lab shall be completed for initial qualification and is strongly recommended for refresher training.
 * f. NVD instructors shall complete an approved NVD IUT training syllabus and be certified by the commanding officer with a NATOPS flight qualification jacket entry for NVD instructional flights.
 * g. NVD-designated aircrew shall meet currencyrequirements as specified in the individual aircraft NATOPS manual, functional wing directives, and/or the USMC Aviation Training and Readiness manual (MCO 3500.14). Qualification/currency requirements may vary for different mission areas, (i.e., shipboard operations, overland navigation, NOE navigation, strike rescue, etc.) and should be identified in the appropriate manual/instruction. Simulators may be used to support the training program, but shall not replace aircraft flight hour requirements.
 * h. For NVD training syllabus flights, the pilot in command (PIC) shall be current for the mission. For all other flights, both the PIC and copilot shall meet appropriate currency requirements.
 * i. Mixing different types of NVDs between aircrew within individual aircraft is not authorized. The use of AN/AVS-6 and MXU-810/U (CATEYES) within multiple aircraft flights is authorized.
 * j. Shipboard and ground operation involving groundcrews using NVDs shall be dictated by the platform NATOPS manual (i.e., CV NATOPS,LHA/LHD NATOPS) or the applicable NWP.