On Airworthiness Qualification Philosophy and Night Flying Assessment for Electroluminescent Based NVG Compatible Cockpit Lights of Military Fighter Aircraft

Night Flying is essential activity of modern combat aircrafts. A statutory requirement for the same of paramount importance is that the pilot can read all legends on cockpit consoles and signs and symbols on the displays with almost equal comfort as during the day flight. Cockpit panel lights should be thin, light weight, Night Vision Goggle (NVG) compatible and provide uniform illumination. Electroluminescence based cockpit light aptly fulfils above requirements. This paper delineates the development, chromaticity/color spectrum measurement for NVG Gen-III compliance and airworthiness qualification of EL Lamp based cockpit lights of fighter aircraft.