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Advanced binocular Helmet Mounted Displays (HMD) capable of bisensor operation (I2 tubes and video images) with overlaid symbology have been developed for military use in various helicopters. Extensive flight testing of such helmets, as the French TOPOWL®, have provided so far a considerable amount of data relatively to Night Vision System design and use. Design options allowing improved mass and Center of Gravity in regard of classical NVG, as folded optics and visor projection, have been shown to give very effective results. Performance in various flight conditions, including fog, snow and obstacles, has been quite thoroughly investigated. Training issues with I2 and head-steered thermal imagery have also been addressed during test flight. Lessons learned from test flight open interesting possibilities for further use of such systems in civilian rotorcraft operation, provided acceptably low cost solutions could be achieved.

HUD-based hybrid landing systems developed by SEXTANT Avionics have been successfully certified for AEROPOSTALE and ALITALIA. The philosophy of such system is to offer minima reductions (down to DH 35 ft and RVR 125 m) with automatic Cat 3A operations. From a human factors stand point, the basis of such an approach is that improved situational awareness provided by the HUD allows to maintain an acceptable safety level for operations despite lower DH and visibility. Though, it is well known that switching from a supervisory control mode to a manual control mode under time pressure is a very serious challenge for the human operator. In this regard, numerous human factors issues were addressed during the concept validation phase and results applied to certification.