Predictive Landing Guidance in Synthetic Vision Displays

ABSTRACT

Pilot manual path-following performance with synthetic vision displays can be improved with predictive guidance symbols. Little is known, however, on how these predictive guidance concepts can be applied to the landing flare maneuver. This paper discusses 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 two guidance laws for the manual landing task. A pilot-in-the-loop experiment, conducted in a moving-base flight simulator, indicated that both predictive guidance types investigated support pilots in manual control. The pilot's ability to determine the correct flare initiation time is improved, and becomes comparable to timing the flare with a more realistic synthetic vision display with textured surfaces. Even though the flare initiation timing was improved by the addition of predictive guidance, the control of the flare after its initiation was not sufficiently supported. As a result, no noticeable improvement in landing performance was found.