Smartview Lower Minimums: A Synthetic Vision Guidance System

SmartView™ Lower Minimums (SVLM) is a Synthetic Vision Guidance System (SVGS) that has been developed as a Flight Path Vector (FPV) Primary Flight Display (PFD) with additional pilot in the loop control display elements and system integrity monitors. SVLM is based upon previously certified Primus Epic® avionics architecture with a software update to an existing Primus Epic SmartView certified display. The flight instrument design enables any typically trained pilot to fly a more tightly controlled approach easily and routinely, achieving a sustained level of performance for the entire instrument approach procedure. SVLM is intended to enable lower than standard approach minimums at Category (CAT) I and CAT II airfields with a CAT I trained crew. Flight technical, system performance and human factors evaluations of SVLM were conducted using Honeywell´s Falcon 900EX EASy II test aircraft. All approaches flown by the participant pilots in the F900 fell well within desired CAT II performance standards. Subjective workload ratings from the flight test indicate acceptable workload level and the post-evaluation questionnaire administered at the conclusion of all test runs indicated a very favorable response to the SVLM guidance display and operational concept. SVLM flight guidance and display system enables pilots to accurately fly Localizer Performance with Vertical (LPV) and Instrument Landing System (ILS) approach and landings in a low visibility environment to Decision Altitude (DA) or Height (H) of 150ft and 100ft with the PFD head down SVLM display and transition to the visual segment for a safe landing in low visibility conditions with minimal training and reduced ground infrastructure. SVLM is compatible with US NextGen and European SESAR initiatives to increase accessibility and throughput at airports.