Synthetic vision experiments for approach and taxiing in poor visibility

A guidance and control concept is presented which features computer generated synthetic vision for approach and landing in poor visibility. The synthetic vision system provides a realistic 3D terrain image displayed to the pilot. Flight guidance symbology information is integrated into the synthetic terrain imagery. The synthetic vision system is combined with a precision navigation system. A high navigation accuracy is achieved by coupling differential global positioning and inertial sensor systems and by applying computational filter algorithms. Taxi tests were conducted with an especially equipped test vehicle in November 1993. Flight tests were performed with a research aircraft at Braunschweig airport in October 1994. The tests results show that the pilot was able to accurately control the aircraft and to perform precision approaches by using synthetic vision.