Definition
A cockpit display technology that merges Synthetic Vision System (SVS) imagery — a computer-generated 3D view of terrain, obstacles, and runways drawn from a database — with Enhanced Vision System (EVS) imagery — a real-time sensor view (typically infrared or low-light camera) of what is actually outside the aircraft. The blended image gives the pilot both a stable, predictable depiction of the world and a live confirmation of what the sensors are seeing.
Plain English
A cockpit display that combines two views into one: a computer drawing of the terrain and runway based on a stored map, and a live camera or infrared picture of what is actually in front of the aircraft. Together they give the pilot a clearer picture in poor visibility than either view alone.
Context Anchor
Seen in discussions of advanced cockpit displays, especially synthetic vision and enhanced vision equipment used for low visibility, night operations, and approach guidance.
Derivation
“Combined” means brought together. “Vision” comes from a word meaning “to see.” In this aviation use, vision does not mean the pilot’s natural eyesight; it means an electronic picture shown to the pilot.
Why Pilots Care
Improves situational awareness and reduces the risk of controlled flight into terrain during night or instrument meteorological conditions.
Analogy
It is like using both a detailed map and a live camera view at the same time, with the useful parts of both combined into one picture.
Intuition Check
Do not read “vision” here as normal eyesight. In this term, “vision” means an electronic view created from stored data, live sensors, or both.
Example Sentence 1
On the night approach into mountainous terrain, the combined vision system showed both the synthetic outline of the ridges ahead and the infrared image of the runway environment.
Example Sentence 2
Combined vision systems allowed the crew to confirm runway alignment before breaking out of the clouds.