9 November 2023
A forward-looking thermal infrared imaging system is the sort of kit you’d expect to find on the latest high-end business jets such as a Dassault Falcon. Now US manufacturer CubCrafters is making it available on its Cub-based two-seaters equipped with Garmin G3X avionics.
The camera system, deveoloped by specialist Hood Tech Aero, displays an image on the G3X’s screen and is said to improve the pilot’s situational awareness during both air and ground operations in reduced visibility or low light situations.
The camera is synced with Garmin’s synthetic vision display giving the same scale, same field of view, and the same horizon.
“With the simple turn of a knob, both the synthetic and the enhanced vision systems are displayed side-by-side, giving the pilot a previously unheard-of level of situational awareness in low light or low visibility situations,” said CubCrafters.
“The camera easily penetrates smoke, haze, shadow, or even full darkness to show terrain, roads, buildings, bridges, antennas, runways, and similar objects.”
IR camera equipped Carbon Cub on final for Runway 27 at night. Photos: CubCrafters
The wing-mounted camera is designed to be as small, lightweight, automated and maintenance free as possible.
“We’re really proud of what we’ve developed,” explained Brian Prange, 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.”
Not sure anyone would take their eyes off the canyon sides to look at the display but this is what they’d see!
Brad Damm of CubCrafters added, “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 camera system is available now for new experimental category CubCrafters aircraft. The company also expects to have retrofit kits and certified aircraft approvals completed by the end of 2023.
IR camera performance with less than a half-mile forward visibility in forest fire smoke
A CubCrafters Carbon Cub with a G3X integrated thermal infrared camera system avoids terrain during company camera testing
