Predictive landing guidance in synthetic vision displays

Abstract

In order to improve performance during manual control, synthetic vision displays were augmented with predictive guidance. Little is known on how these predictive guidance concepts can be applied to the landing flare maneuver. This paper discusses the investigation into the applicability of 3D predictive guidance in synthetic vision displays during the final phase of the landing. Two types of predictive guidance were examined, the Flight-Path Predictor that indicates the aircraft's future position a certain time ahead, and the Flight Trajectory Predictor that presents the future trajectory by interpolating a number of sequential predicted positions. A theoretical investigation and an offline simulation were used to optimize the system for the landing. A pilot-in-the-loop experiment, conducted in a moving-base flight simulator, indicated that predictive guidance supports pilots in manual control. Also, the addition of predictive guidance enhances the pilot's ability to determine the correct flare initiation time in a way that is comparable to providing a more realistic synthetic vision display with textured surfaces. Even though the flare initiation timing was improved by the addition of predictive guidance, the flare control after initiation was not sufficiently supported and there was no noticeable improvement in landing performance. Copyright © 2009 by the National Aerospace Laboratory NLR. Published by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc.