Definition
Navigation or flight data derived by combining inputs from two or more independent sensors or sources into a single, more accurate output. Modern flight systems blend information from sources such as GPS, inertial reference systems, air data computers, and ground-based navigation aids to produce a unified position, attitude, or performance value displayed to the pilot.
Plain English
Information that comes from mixing several different sources together, so the result is more accurate and reliable than any one source on its own.
Context Anchor
Seen in discussions of navigation instruments, especially displays that combine heading and course guidance.
Derivation
Blend comes from Old Norse blanda, meaning to mix together. The aviation use keeps that everyday sense -- different streams of data are mixed to produce one combined output.
Why Pilots Care
Correct blending maintains accurate situational awareness and reduces the risk of spatial disorientation when one instrument fails or gives misleading data.
Intuition Check
Do not assume “blended” means the information is automatically more accurate. Here it means separate information is combined into one display so it is easier to interpret.
Example Sentence 1
The position shown on the moving map is blended information from GPS and the inertial reference system.
Example Sentence 2
After the vacuum pump failed, the pilot blended information from the remaining pitot-static and magnetic instruments to complete the approach.