Gain the skills and confidence to fly night missions safely with ASU’s mission-specific NVG pilot training. Our FAA-approved programs have prepared more than 8,000 pilots and crew in EMS, military, SAR, and law enforcement operations worldwide.
ASU has trained more than 8,000 pilots and crew members through FAA-certified programs under Part 135 and Part 141. Our mission-specific NVG training prepares operators for real-world challenges in military, EMS, search and rescue, law enforcement, agricultural spraying, and high-altitude flight.
Led by experienced instructors, ASU’s training programs blend hands-on instruction with deep operational insight—ensuring your team is equipped to fly safely and effectively with night vision goggles in any environment.
FAA-approved NVG training (Part 135 and 141)
Initial, recurrent, and CFI night vision certification
Scenario-based, mission-driven instruction
Instructors with real-world NVG flying experience
Training available at ASU in Boise, ID or at your location
Train with the team that’s setting the standard in aviation night vision.
This initial training is for those that have not had either exposure to NVG’s or the regulatory endorsement to operate with the appliance in their current organization. Course focuses on obtaining visual references, scanning, proper search light use and both basic and advanced maneuvers on/off airport. We will ensure the student is comfortable in every available environment we can access during the training periods including mountains, jungle, confined spaces, over water, and snow/sand/dust landing considerations and techniques.
Flight training of foreign persons is controlled by the U.S. Department of State, Directorate of Defense Trade Controls, International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR) under Title 22, Code of Federal Regulations, Subchapter M, Parts 120-130. Export licensing or other U.S. Government authorization may be required.
Director of Operations &
Chief Flight Instructor
Director of International Sales &
Chief Pilot International
NVG Instructor Pilot
Senior NVG Instructor
NVG Instructor Pilot
VP of Business Development
VP of Business Operations
VP of Sales and Marketing
VP of Aviation Operations
This course revisits everything pertaining to standardization from inflight maneuver execution, to Flight Manual Supplement (FMS), and Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) compliance review. We will ensure your program is up to date with the latest training materials and bulletins pertaining to NVG safety. After training, all aviators will be able to demonstrate the proper employment of the NVG tactics in your aircraft or ours. The external lens of ASU’s credibility and experience may offer your team a breath of fresh air to the training program. ASU will help you introduce new material and additional challenges for even the most experienced aviators.
ASU will provide you with the endorsement authority to continue the safe execution and training of your organization. No matter the experience level of the instructor, ASU has a unique blend of regulatory compliance experience, and challenging NVG instruction in training. Having been founded in 1995, our instructors have been the first in virtually every category pertaining to civil night vision goggle employment. We want to help your instructors be diverse and dynamic in the execution of nighttime training while remaining legal and safe.
ASU has developed countless custom training programs to meet operator, mission, and organizational needs.
This terrain map shows the vast amounts of training areas available to our customers. From the beginning of Lucky Peak reservoir (1st turnpoint for route beginning at the bottom of the picture below) and many miles beyond it to the North and East, the area is an approved nap-of-the earth training location that offers many different challenges including over water flight, pinnacle landings, confined space operations, and both snow/dust landings depending on season. Also available inside the Boise Class C airspace is a landing strip that may be used for traffic patterns as needed to hone proficiency in scanning with NVG’s while gaining comfort operating the Bell 505.
The attached snapshot displays the commonly used training locations for airplane students. Multiple runways both lit and unlit are scattered throughout the Treasure Valley region with immediate climbs in elevation and complete darkness available north and south of these airports. Experience the challenges and beauty of elevated backcountry while flying with the highest quality NVG’s and skilled instructors. Whether you operate in large metropolitan areas or in the middle of the desert, Boise offers a mix of just about everything except humidity.
The E3 PANO from ASU is the lightest US‑made panoramic night vision goggle, offering an expansive 94° field‑of‑view to dramatically enhance situational awareness in low‑light missions. Weighing just 660 g, it's about 30% lighter than legacy systems—reducing helmet and neck strain during long operations.
The E3 PANO from ASU is the lightest US‑made panoramic night vision goggle, offering an expansive 94° field‑of‑view to dramatically enhance situational awareness in low‑light missions. Weighing just 660 g, it's about 30% lighter than legacy systems—reducing helmet and neck strain during long operations.
The E3 is the lightest aviation night vision goggle made in the U.S.—30% lighter than the AN/AVS-9. Designed for comfort, clarity, and mission success, the E3 helps you fly longer with less strain.
Key benefits include:
Lightweight design that reduces neck fatigue
Improved image quality for better situational awareness
Tool-free adjustments for fast, intuitive setup
Enhanced look-under and look-around views with rimless optics
Fly lighter. See clearer. The E3 from ASU sets a new standard in aviation night vision.
The E3 is the lightest aviation night vision goggle made in the U.S.—30% lighter than the AN/AVS-9. Designed for comfort, clarity, and mission success, the E3 helps you fly longer with less strain.
Key benefits include:
Lightweight design that reduces neck fatigue
Improved image quality for better situational awareness
Tool-free adjustments for fast, intuitive setup
Enhanced look-under and look-around views with rimless optics
Fly lighter. See clearer. The E3 from ASU sets a new standard in aviation night vision.
Tony is retired from the United States Army Aviation community. He served as a helicopter crewmember, instructor, and Blackhawk instructor pilot from 1998-2018 before joining ASU in August of 2018. He has since become our Director of Operations and Chief Flight Instructor for our 14 CFR Part 141 Rotorcraft courses. Tony is a 14 CFR Part 135 NVG Check Pilot in helicopters. Tony holds an Airline Transport Pilot Rotorcraft-Helicopter rating, CFI/II, and private pilot rating in airplane, single engine land. Tony has just over 12 years MEDEVAC experience from the military and has worked extensively with many civil EMS organizations since joining ASU.
Educational Background and Experience:
Tony attended the Instructor Pilot Course, Aviation Life Support Equipment Course, Aviation Accident Prevention Safety Course and the High-Altitude Aviation Training School while in the U.S. Army and is currently qualified as:
Alex started his aviation career in Hillsboro, Oregon as a flight instructor. Later on served and retired from the German Air Force. Starting his professional civilian career in Helicopter Emergency Medical Service with over 15 years of HEMS experience and additional duties as charter and utility pilot. He served as a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service, HEMS, helicopter pilot, instructor, and HEMS Technical Crewmember instructor pilot, quality and compliance manager as well as a Director of Safety, from 1999-2018 before joining ASU in October of 2018. He has since become our Director of International Sales. Alex is a 14 CFR Part 135 NVG Check Pilot in helicopters. Alex holds a Commercial Pilot Rotorcraft-Helicopter rating and an FAA Repairman Certificate for NVG Maintenance. Alex has over 15 years MEDEVAC experience from the civilian and military and has worked extensively with many civil HEMS organizations and military entities since joining ASU.
Educational Background and Experience:
Alex attended and completed the Commercial Pilot and Certified Flight Instructor Course, HUET Military training, HUET Civilian Training, Safety Management in Commercial Aviation, Compliance Monitoring and Quality Management in Aviation and Aviation Maintenance, Crew Resource Management, actual fire fighting, Robinson Helicopter Factory Course on R-22 and R-66, Airbus Helicopter Factory Course on H130T2 and is currently qualified as:
Mitch is retired from the Idaho Army National Guard. He has served as an AH64 Master Gunner, Instructor Pilot, Standardization Pilot and UH60 Instructor and Instrument Examiner. Additionally, he has served as a Battalion Safety Officer and Idaho Army National Guard Sate Aviation Safety and Standardization Officer. Mitch joined ASU in April of 2023 as the Senior NVG Instructor Pilot. Mitch is a 14 CFR Part 135 NVG Check Pilot in helicopters.
Educational Background and Experience:
Mitch has attended the Instructor Pilot Course for the AH64A, AH64D and UH60 aircraft, Instrument Examiners Course, Aviation Life Support Course, High-Altitude Aviation Training School, Aviation Safety and Aviation Accident Investigation. Current qualifications include:
Luke started his aviation career in Southern Utah as a flight instructor specializing in advanced NVG instruction. Luke’s genuine passion and enthusiasm for the technological advantages of night vision in aviation combined with his desire for sharing knowledge brought him to ASU in December of 2024. As a veteran of the US Army, he continues his public service as an active NVG firefighting pilot, supporting wildfire suppression operations for the U.S. Forest Service.
Educational Background and Experience:
Luke has a B.S. in Aerospace Science from the College of Engineering at Southern Utah University. He earned his Commercial, CFI/II, and completed an advanced mountain flying course and VRLL course.
After a distinguished career as an U.S. Army aviator, Chad St. Francis assumed a business development role in the private sector with Insight Technology. Later promoted to senior business development manager, St. Francis was responsible for L3 Insight Technology United States Special Operations Command and United States Air Force accounts. With his extensive business development and sales experience, with expertise in weapon mounted laser, range finding and night vision products he joined the Aviation Specialties Unlimited team in 2018 as the director of business development for military programs. St. Francis was promoted to the Vice President of Business Development and Marketing in 2021.
Meyer joined the ASU team in 2021 with more than 18 years of sales and customer service experience and 10-years in the aviation industry. In 2022 he was promoted from Senior Director of Sales and Customer Success to Vice President of Sales. Before joining ASU he served as the sales engineer for Thermocoax and specialized in aerospace and defense. He also served seven years as the sales manager for AERO Specialties. Meyer graduated from the University of Idaho with a Bachelor of Science degree in production and operations management and information systems. He is an Idaho native and a long-time resident of Boise.
To comply with U.S. State Dept. and U.S. Commerce Dept. export regulations, ASU tracks the sale of all items listed on the U.S. Munitions List (USML) and Commerce Control List (CCL). To meet these regulatory requirements, ASU requests the following information prior to quotation.
