CubCrafters Releases G3X Integrated Infrared Camera for Backcountry Situational Awareness

[akavidflyer]

I wonder how dense of fog it can see through? Lost a friend this year in a pass near anchorage, unknown reason but probably weather in the pass. I wonder if something like this wouldve made the difference.


Sent from my iPhone using SuperCub.Org

If this was used only as a last resort to get out of somewhere you shouldn't be, I can see a benefit. I can also see a whole lot of guys who would normally be sitting around waiting on weather to lift, get a set of balls and launch into bad weather to get home from, or to, hunting camp. All good till this unit fails and they become a part of the landscape because they had a fancy new gadget and talked themselves into using it. CC already has a high wreck (incident) rate, this will just add to it and the list of guys with more money than brains who now have head stones will keep growing. This idea is right up there at the top along with putting a nose wheel on a cub.

 

[BC12D-4-85]

Can an IR cam see through smoke, rain, or fog? Depends> https://www.infiray.com/can-thermal...re designed to capture,such as smoke and fog.

It might work if the background IR temp is within expected values. I'd be careful in winter with heavy snow or fog between me and cold terrain until some experience was gained. Almost daily we have military helicopters practicing night ops for this now.

Gary

 

[RedOwlAirfield]

It's for people who fly in canyons at night or IFR. 8)

That's kind of what I was thinking too. I've had folks land here with FLIR at night so I know it's technology that works. And from my perspective, I usually try to follow the published Instrument Departures or approaches ( even VFR) anytime there's any compromise to visibility, but it sure would nice to have something like this on board. Rationally I know I'm in the clear if I'm on the procedure, but it would be a major reassurance to actually see the mountains I'm not hitting. Flying at night in this area is only dangerous until you get above the mountains, and we've all worked out "boatswain's Mates" processes for "getting out of the hole", but again being able to see what you're missing would be very comforting.

And I think it's worth noting that the FAR's remain the same, so if the vis isn't up to snuff, using this tech would still be illegal. Mind you if it saves somebody's life then yay - illegal or not.

I don't like gadgets and electronic "stuff" but this seems like it would be a nice thing to have.

 

[stewartb]

It would be real handy flying into Houston towards the end of the day when the haze is brutal.

Syn Vis would work fine. There’s nothing to see.

 

[Steve Pierce]

I agree with the naysayers! Giving pilots the ability to see through smoke, dust, and haze in the backcountry? What a silly idea. And being able to actually see terrain while flying at night, who would want that? Grandpa did it with just a six pack and a sectional, heck yeah! That's all I want! And squinting into the sun low on the horizon trying to see if those are elk on the runway or just bugs on my windshield, man, that's living large! SAR, wildlife management, fire patrol, law enforcement, etc. God gave us that ole Mark 1 eyeball, shouldn't ever need anything else!

Just poking fun.. and here's ↑ a few better pictures of the functionality.

Interesting technology. Saw it on one of your airplanes at Oshkosh. Do you see selling a lot of new airplanes with this installed? Is this an option for the certified models or just experimental?

 

[mvivion]

Yup, buzzing along at 200 agl in terrain in IMC……night ops in the “backcountry”……what could possibly go wrong?

Thereare “Get out of jail free” devices and “Dig the hole deeper” devices. I’ve been in situations where this might have helped, or it might have got me killed.

The thing that smacked me upside the head when I first saw this was: These are basically recreational machines…..all that gorgeous backcountry scenery just ain’t going to look the same in black and white on a small screen.

Pilots who own these aircraft are already operating them in sketchy places, based on the great performance of the aircraft. If The sense of invincibility spills over into “I can fly in any condition”, the situation may be self resolving.

I know….just another naysayer who’s been there, and knows hisself….

MTV

 

[BC12D-4-85]

A little ice or impact snow on the sensor's lens might change the view. Still, it would be an interesting tool used properly.

Gary

 

[bcone1381]

I wonder if this is similar to Transport Category aircraft with Heads Up display and Enhance Vision (IR camera). If so then we know they use it on approaches to lower standard approach minimums if its imaging stuff like runway markings.

It can see through smoke very well. But Clouds are water vapor. The Higher water content and the larger the droplet size the less its effectiveness. It can see a cumulus cloud approaching at night but it cant see through a cumulus cloud once your inside. Its like driving in fog with your high beam headlights on. Fog and haze has limitations, but I'd wager it would expand visibility some when obstructions to visibility have lower water content. Sometimes it's less than no help. Meaning it's a distraction.

Functionally in a cub.....this might help in some cases. If one is not using it a lot, then laws of human nature and Murphy say it will create a false feeling of confidence to press into conditions where it's limitations abound....limitations that due to industry (Both the FAA and manufacturers) excitement does not want to talk about.