NEW! Jennings C., Alter K., Barrows A., Bernier K., Guell J., ”Synthetic Vision as an Integrated Element of an Enhanced Vision System,” Test Report, The Boeing Company, St Louis, MO and Nav3D Corporation, Palo Alto, CA, 2002.

This paper describes Boeing’s Enhanced Vision System developed to improve situational awareness in foul weather by providing electronic/real time vision to a pilot. It is designed for safe use in low level/night time – as well as moderate-to-heavy weather -- flight operations. The system consists of a series of imaging sensors, a navigation terrain database with a virtual pathway for approach/landings, an image processor and a wide field-of-view (FOV) see-through Helmet Mounted Display (HMD) integrated with an Ascension laserBIRD head tracker. The system provide the pilot with a computer-generated image of the “out-the-window” view in areas that are not covered by imaging sensors. Testing took place in both ground and air vehicles with laserBIRD operating without failure in both high vibration and rough terrain environments.

NEW! Guell Jeff, “Flying Infrared for Low Level Operations System Description and Capabilities”, Proceedings of the 18th Digital Avionics Systems Conference, 1998, pp 1-7.

This paper reports on Boeing’s development and prototype testing of an aircraft “situational awareness” system for safe low-visibility flight operations. The paper identifies a need for tracking a pilot’s head as well as equipping him with a head-mounted display to expand visual and situational awareness for flying in less than optimal circumstances.

Milne, A.D., Chess, D.G., Johnson, J.A., “Accuracy of an Electronic Tracking Device: A Study of the Optical Range and Metal Interference,” Biomechanics, 29 (6), 1996, pp. 791-793.

Nixon, M., McCallum, B., Fright, W., Price, N., “The Effects of Metals and Interfering Fields on Electromagnetic Trackers,” Unpublished paper, Applied Research Associates NZ, April 1997.