The effective date of a new rule on enhanced flight vision systems (EFVS) has been pushed from March 13 to March 21. The new rule allows pilots of airplanes with  EFVS to fly certain IFR approaches all the way to landing “in lieu of natural vision” from the previously allowed elevation of 100 feet above touchdown zone in the U.S. The delay is the result of President Trump’s regulatory freeze order that was implemented on January 24.

Added benefits of the new rule are that it opens up EFVS approach capabilities at more runways with a larger number of approach types, applies it to Part 91, 91K, 121, 125 and 135 operations and allows commercial operators to dispatch when destination weather is worse than currently allowed, including initiating and continuing an approach when visibility is below minimums.

There are training and airworthiness requirements under the new rule, a letter of authorization is still required for EFVS operations and pilots must remain current in EFVS operations. Also, the rule mandates different operational requirements for single-pilot and two-pilot flight crews.