Originally Posted by
Hot and Hi
Observing pilots flying with these tools, as crude as they may still be at this time, there is no doubt in my mind that even a mini tablet-sized synthetic vision screen in front of the pilot can significantly reduce workload. It can give the pilot the confidence to reject wrong vestibular information, to remain calm and avoid the panic that leads to pilot induced upset.
To give an example: It makes a big difference when flying into a big black hole at night, to know whether the space in front of you is empty sky, a mountain, or a cloud obscuring the view on other aircraft, cultural light, terrain or the horizon lying behind it. Knowing the real world outside is still the same, even if momentarily it's all black, or all white, allows pilots to avoid giving in to illusions, such as false horizons or autokinesis, etc.
Hmm. "reduced workload... gives pilot confidence to reject wrong information... that leads to pilot induced upset... knowing what is in front of you... knowing the real world... allows pilots to avoid illusions..." Many would argue that sounds precisely like increased situational awareness.