Definition
A category of cockpit display technologies that improve a pilot's situational awareness in low-visibility or instrument conditions by presenting either a computer-generated view of the outside world (synthetic vision) or a sensor-based image of the actual outside world (enhanced vision), or a combination of both. Synthetic vision draws a three-dimensional depiction of terrain, obstacles, runways, and traffic from onboard databases and position data. Enhanced vision uses real-time sensors such as infrared or millimeter-wave imagers to display what is actually in front of the aircraft, including features that may not be visible to the naked eye through cloud, haze, or darkness.
Plain English
Cockpit displays that help the pilot see the outside world when they otherwise can't. One type draws a picture of the terrain and runway from a database, like a video game view of the real world. The other type uses cameras and sensors to show what's actually out there in poor visibility.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument flying, glass cockpit displays, approach procedures, and discussions of operating when clouds, darkness, or low visibility make the outside view harder to see.
Derivation
Synthetic comes from Greek synthetikos, meaning 'put together' or 'constructed' — a fitting name for a view assembled from databases rather than seen directly. Enhanced comes from Old French enhauncier, 'to make greater' — the system enhances what the pilot can see by using sensors that pick up more than the human eye.
Why Pilots Care
They increase situational awareness and reduce the chance of controlled flight into terrain when outside visual references are unavailable.
Analogy
Synthetic vision is like a moving map turned into a forward-looking outside view. Enhanced vision is more like a special camera feed that helps reveal what is actually out there right now.
Grounding Statement
Picture flying an approach at night: synthetic vision can draw the runway and terrain in the correct place on the display, while enhanced vision can show a live sensor view of the runway environment ahead.
Intuition Check
Do not assume “synthetic” means fake and therefore useless, or that “enhanced” means the system can see through anything. Synthetic vision is computer-created from stored information; enhanced vision is sensor-based and depends on what its sensors can actually detect.
Example Sentence 1
Before the approach into low ceilings, the captain briefed how the crew would use synthetic and enhanced vision systems to maintain terrain and runway awareness.
Example Sentence 2
Synthetic and enhanced vision systems allowed the crew to confirm runway alignment before breaking out of the clouds on the final approach segment.