Definition
A cockpit display technology that generates a computer-rendered, three-dimensional image of the outside world on a primary flight display, using a database of terrain, obstacles, and runways combined with the aircraft's GPS position and attitude data. The image shows the pilot what the surrounding terrain would look like through the windshield, regardless of actual visibility conditions.
Plain English
A computer-drawn picture on the cockpit screen that shows the hills, ground, and runways around the aircraft as if it were a clear day, even when the pilot can't see outside.
Context Anchor
Seen on modern cockpit flight displays, especially during instrument flying, night flying, and approaches to airports.
Derivation
Synthetic comes from the Greek syntithenai, meaning 'to put together.' Here it means the view is assembled by a computer from stored data, rather than being seen directly through the windshield.
Why Pilots Care
It improves situational awareness and helps prevent controlled flight into terrain by giving an intuitive picture of rising ground and obstacles.
Analogy
It is like a moving 3-D map on the cockpit screen: useful for understanding where you are, but still dependent on correct data and proper pilot cross-checking.
Intuition Check
Synthetic does not mean imaginary or optional here. It means the outside view is computer-generated from aircraft data, not seen directly through a window or camera.
Example Sentence 1
Flying through haze near the mountains, the pilot used synthetic vision to confirm the ridge line ahead matched the planned route.
Example Sentence 2
With synthetic vision active, the pilot could confirm the runway alignment even though actual visibility was below minimums.