Definition
Onboard system functions in a Synthetic Vision Guidance System (SVGS) that continuously check whether the displayed synthetic terrain, obstacle, and guidance data are accurate and reliable enough to be used for flight. If the monitors detect that position, attitude, terrain database, or sensor inputs have degraded beyond defined tolerances, the system alerts the pilot and may remove or downgrade the synthetic guidance display.
Plain English
Built-in self-checks that watch the synthetic vision display in real time. They make sure what the pilot sees on the screen actually matches the real world, and warn the pilot if it doesn't.
Context Anchor
Seen in discussions of Synthetic Vision Guidance Systems used for instrument approaches and low-visibility operations.
Derivation
Integrity here means trustworthiness of the data — whether it can be relied on. Performance refers to how well the system is meeting its required accuracy and timing. A monitor is something that watches continuously and reports problems. Together: continuous watchdogs for whether the system is both honest and accurate.
Why Pilots Care
These monitors prevent the pilot from using misleading guidance by immediately flagging any loss of data quality or system performance during an approach.
Grounding Statement
If the system cannot confirm that its guidance is accurate enough, it should tell the pilot not to rely on that guidance.
Intuition Check
Integrity does not mean honesty here; it means the system’s information can be trusted. Performance does not mean pilot skill here; it means the system is meeting its required accuracy and reliability standards.
Example Sentence 1
If the integrity and performance monitors detect a fault, the SVGS guidance cue is removed from the display and the crew reverts to standard instrument procedures.
Example Sentence 2
During the missed approach the system displayed an alert when the integrity and performance monitors detected a temporary sensor fault.