I’m developing a Synthetic Vision System (SVS) to display terrain and airport environments as a navigation aid—particularly for airport approaches. So far, I’ve had some success using NASA topographic data combined with Google Earth satellite imagery for terrain textures. The Google imagery isn’t high resolution, but it’s free for testing purposes. The results are still somewhat rough, yet they show real potential.
I’ve attached an image showing an approach to SDVH, a private airstrip in Brazil.
I believe that, in the near future, IFR instruments may no longer be necessary for non-precision approaches or even for navigation, since synthetic vision will allow pilots to “see” the outside world virtually—making it almost like flying VFR.
If anyone shares similar ideas or would like to collaborate on this project, please feel free to get in touch.
Synthetic Vision System
Moderator: John Nicol