Avionics suppliers are making unprecedented advances in brilliantly sharp, intuitive large-format flight displays that provide a pilot with instant awareness of the aircraft's condition, navigation and flight data. None of them is worth a pair of dingo's kidneys when the cockpit is full of smoke.

This is why 300 aircraft operators have ordered the Emergency Vision Assurance System (EVAS), a portable, no-installation, no-STC device being demonstrated here -- with the aid of a converted Ford van and a standard theatrical fog generator -- by Aircraft Services Group.

EVAS comprises a clear plastic inflatable "vision unit" which is custom-fit for each aircraft type and is attached to the glareshield with Velcro. The complete system is stored in a five-pound pack which includes an electrically driven fan, a smoke filter and a battery.

At the first sign of smoke, the pilot opens the pack and attaches the folded vision unit to the glareshield. If visibility does not improve, the pilot pulls a Velcro release panel. Clear air from the fan inflates the unit in 15-20 seconds, until it fills the space between the pilot's eyes and the panel and windshield.

The system uses no compressed gas, does not rely on aircraft systems, and will operate for up to two hours. In a two-crew aircraft, the copilot can remove the unit from the glareshield and use it to view other panels or circuit breakers.