Low-cost tunnel display for small aircraft

A low-cost tunnel display is presented which provides the pilot with guidance information in a 3-dimensional format, directed at an application to small aircraft. The low-cost solution has been achieved using Commercial-off-the-Shelf components for the hardware (PC based computer, LCD display and navigation system) and an efficient real-time software capable of generating the guidance imagery presented in the tunnel display at a high update rate. The 3-dimensional guidance information includes the presentation of the command flight path and a future position of the aircraft as well as an image of the terrain. A comprehensive flight test program consisting of demanding control tasks (low level flight in difficult terrain environment, curved and steep approaches, etc.) is performed for exploiting the capabilities of the tunnel display. Results from demanding trajectory following tasks concerned with curved and steep approaches are presented for showing the effectiveness of the system.