Posted on March 2, 2020 in INSIGHT Magazine by Dan Parsons

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Aviation Specialties Unlimited (ASU) of Boise, Idaho. Few companies can look back after a quarter-century and know they made a difference and left a legacy in the world. But, that is exactly what ASU has done by pioneering the use of night vision goggles (NVGs) around the world.

Idaho Commerce and the Idaho Aerospace Alliance will attend the Avalon Airshow, February 26 – March 1, in Melbourne, Australia alongside eight Idaho companies including AeroLEDs, AERO Specialties, ASU, Black Sage, Frequence, Hamilton Manufacturing, Inc., Western Aircraft and xCraft.  The Avalon Airshow supports engagement with government, industry and defense opportunities, and is an excellent opportunity for Idaho companies to gain significant intern

Aviation Specialties Unlimited (ASU) spoke to attendees about the benefits of bringing night vision goggles (NVGs) into their operation. A panel of three ag pilots gave their perspectives on how NVGs have improved their operations and answered questions from pilots and operators in the audience who might be considering adopting NVGs. 

Aviation Specialties Unlimited, Inc. (ASU), announced this week that Josh Grier and Tony Tsantles joined ASU’s training team. Grier was named the new Director of Training and Tsantles in the newest NVG Instructor. ASU has added nine new employees this year, six of whom have served in the military. Both Tsantles and Grier have extensive military experience and training. 

Please join other NVG operators, industry leaders and the NVG Working Group in a mediated panel discussion on Shaping the Future of Night Vision Operations in Europe. The international panel is to discuss night vision imaging system (NVIS) regulatory policies, procedures and operational issues as it impacts aerial operations. This panel would consist of industry NVIS modifiers and international program manager to discuss current NVIS policy as well as what is anticipated for the future.

Learn more and reserve your seat for the Helitech NVG Working Group Discussion

Fighting fires at night is an effective tool for combatting threatening wild fires. Temperatures drop, humidity typically increases andit is easier to spot hot spots at night making nighttime firefighting ideal. Now, CO Fire Aviation has a new tool to combat fires at night. Aviation Specialties Unlimited, Inc., (ASU) recently modified an Air Tractor AT-802F for night vision goggle (NVG) operations giving pilots an increased advantage in the safety and effectiveness at night.

A recently announced agreement between The National Mountain Rescue Corps (CNSAS) and the Italian Company Aersud Elicotteri promotes the regulatory advancement of NVG use in helicopter regulations among other objectives to improve effectiveness. The collaborative agreement is aimed at increasing the safety of HEMS and SAR (Search and Rescue) missions, with particular reference to the improvement of on-board helicopter equipment and staff training. As an advocate for the safe integration of night vision technology ASU applauds CNSAS and Aersud on their dedication to safer operations. Aersud Elicotteri Photo. Read the full release here or at Vertical Magazine.

Aviation Specialties Unlimited obtained an European Aviation Safety Agency supplemental type certificate on the Augusta Westland AW139/AB139 helicopter to install night vision imaging system lighting. The AW139 is widely used in numerous operations around the world. It has been configured for air ambulance operations frequently because of its size. ASU obtained the STC for Airgreen Italy and it will be used for air medical activities in Piemonte and Valle d’Aosta, in addition to firefighting and civil protection in the Italian regions of Piemonte, Valle d’Aosta and Sardegna.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) 2018 Pacific Northwest Region Small Business Exporter of the Year is Aviation Specialties Unlimited, Inc. in Boise, Idaho.

Aviation Specialties Unlimited, Inc. (ASU), announced this week that Chad St. Francis has joined ASU as the new director of business development for military programs.

After he served the United States Army for 22 years, Chief Warrant Officer 4 St. Francis, master Army aviator, retired from active duty in 2008. He served in several duty assignments and deployments; primarly as a Sikorsky UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter standardization pilot and RC-12P/Q “Guardrail” pilot-in-command. He began his civilian career with Insight Technology, located in Londonderry N.H., as a business development manager. In 2010, Insight Technology, was aquired by L3 Communications and St. Francis took an additional responsibility as an advanced program business development manager. Later in 2014, he was promoted to senior business development manager, responsible for L3 Insight Technology United States Special Operations Command and United States Air Force accounts.