FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine 
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute

Report No: DOT/FAA/AM-26/01

Title and Subtitle: Operational and Human Factors Considerations for Synthetic Vision Systems and Head-worn Displays: Results from a Literature Review and Survey.

Report Date: January 2026

Authors: Kelene A. Fercho, Bryan L. Watson, Dennis B. Beringer, Theodore C.Mofle, Matthew Scheinblum-Brewer

Abstract: This research addressed operational considerations from a human factors perspective for the use of synthetic vision systems (SVSs) implemented on a head-worn display (HWD). Given the increasing use and development of SVSs and aviation HWDs, Federal Aviation Administration stakeholders requested information to identify gaps in knowledge to inform future research requirements, and to identify criteria not presently contained in applicable regulations for pilot training and for evaluating equipment functionality, intuitiveness, and potential hazards. This paper includes an overview of commercially available combined vision systems, enhanced vision systems, and SVSs implemented on an HWD; an overview of published scientific literature on SVSs implemented on an HWD; and results from a survey of 70individuals who reported moderate or greater familiarity with SVSs or HWDs. The purpose of the survey was to solicit expert opinion on industry interest, and on human factors and operational considerations of SVSs implemented on an HWD. Example training topics for the use of SVSs implemented on an HWD are included in the Appendix.

Key Words: Combined Vision System, Enhanced Vision System, Head-mounted Display, External Vision System, Head-worn Display, Human Factors, Literature Review, Pilot Training, Questionnaire, Survey Research, Synthetic Vision System, Synthetic Vision Guidance System.

No. of Pages: 136