An augmented reality pilot display for airport operations under low and zero visibility conditions

"Airport Visualization and Operations SystemTM" (AVOSTM) concept** is an application of augmented reality display to aircraft operations on the airport surface and possibly during landing approach under poor and zero visibility conditions. Aircraft identification, position, velocity, and heading are down-linked to the AVOSTM control center in the airport tower. A simplified 3-D view of the airport, including all aircraft and surface vehicles, as would be seen by the pilot in good visibility, is computer generated either onboard the aircraft or in the control center and up-linked to the aircraft. A segment of the scene is projected onto a head-mounted display, based on pilot's head position. The pilot would use this virtual reality display to guide the aircraft from the runway to the gate and back to the runway for take-off, and possibly to monitor automatic landings. It is an important new pilot display concept that can increase airport capacity in reduced and zero visibility conditions in a more natural and hence safer manner than heads-down map-type displays that are currently under development