Flying Complex Approaches Using a Head-Up Display: Effects of Visibility and Display Type

摘要

Air traffic controllers will soon have the ability to direct pilots to fly complex landing approaches. The imminent replacement of the Instrument landing System (ILS) with a landing system based on Global Positioning System (GPS) technology at major airports in the United States will allow pilots to fly landing approaches with curved segment and varying descent rates. From a military standpoint, flying complex approaches will allow better threat avoidance and operational security. Current head up primary flight references may be inadequate to fly these complex approaches, but the proposed alternative a pathway in the sky and/or synthetic terrain display may involve too much clutter for a head up display (HUD), depending on visibility conditions. This paper reports findings research in the Air Force Research Laboratory designed to create a next generation, head up primary flight reference that will allow pilots to fly complex approach and weapon delivery paths regardless of visibility conditions. The conclusions reported herein are that a head up pathway in the sky display will greatly improve pilots' ability to fly complex flight paths in comparison to the current military standard head up display regardless of external visibility. Synthetic terrain in the HUD will improve situation awareness in reduced visibility conditions.