Founded in Boise, Idaho by former AH-64 Apache pilot Mike Atwood in 1995, Aviation Specialties Unlimited (ASU) led the way–working with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other agencies to allow unrestricted NVG use among first-responders and law enforcement agencies. He served on the RTCA committee that wrote what would become the FAA’s current night-vision operating regulations. That work was completed around 1999. That same year, ASU received Part 135 operational approval from the FAA for night vision installations. These regulations have enabled ASU to support early night vision adopters in the civil market such as Enloe and Mercy Medical Centers as well as the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office and have been a passion for Mike Atwood since before ASU’s inception.
“When I reflect on the 25-year history of ASU, I cannot help but think about all the lives that have been saved and people that have been touched,” said Atwood. “Our brothers and sisters around the world fly every night, risking their lives to help others. We have to get NVGs to them to reduce unnecessary risks. Will there still be accidents? Yes. Will there still be mistakes? Yes. But we can help reduce unnecessary accidents. That is why we continue to try and make NVGs available–to keep people safe.”
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