iFly GPS Forum

Seems like that's an inevitable question. Inevitably it will invoke the "you should not try this" and "that depends" answers.

Given that it's an IMO an inevitable question, I'd say worth watching these pilots try it. They were using SynVis on a Foreflight on an iPad.... but IMO still maybe worth watching.

Note that the clip shows three different attempts. The third attempt to me the most informative.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeZhkTPTHVE

IMO they could have done it more usefully by having the pilot flying the SynVision more properly blocked from regular windsheild vision.

Curious on others reactions?

Curious if anyone has tried this simulating a landing pretending to be in IMC with iFly's Synvision (with, of course, a safety copilot looking through windows?) If so, got a video or a report?

Seems to me our synvision in the 740 with it typically mounted high in normal line of sight would have at least one advantage over the way they flew their test..... in that flying synvision with one's head down looking at an iPad in your lap  as they did.... rather than up in forward line of sight and cockpit instruments close to lines of sight would make it a tad easier.

Alex

P.S., Here's another one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKtunOTPjsM

and another

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMVIP2OV6VI

Good topic and thread - thanks!

I did try this with a safety pilot on a VMC day with no one else around the pattern....all legal.

Lined up about 10 miles out and used the RNAV approach as well...

BLUF: I could use synthtic vision to get well below minimums (non-precision) but could not land using it.

Why: my android just did not have the processing power to keep up with the micro adjustments it takes to land safely and line up on the runway.

So, for me it is still very useful in a pinch, but I would have to see the runway to land, just like MOST instrument approaches we fly anyway.

Mike N714AJ

Thanks Alex,

Just want to clarify a few things...

I mentioned I did this in VMC conditions under VFR rules....meaning visual meteorological conditions using visual flight rules SIMULATING IMC conditions (under the hood) flying an IFR (instrument flight rules) approach. 

So, the sky was CAVU (ceiling and visibility unlimited) but we simulated cloudy conditions where the ceilings were something like 1,000 AGL or for around here, 1,500 MSL for the RNAV approach to Carlisle, PA N94 (GPS approach -- non-precesion).

I had on a hood and my CFI was with me assuring me of clearance of other aircraft visually, on the radio and on ADSB.  (legal)

I was able to pick up the runway and get the glide slope going, and easily got below mimimums (1,000 AGL) but as I got closer the computer would not keep up with the many micro-maneuvers we do once we get below minimums and close to the runway in a Cessna 150, a plane you need to fly to the ground in winds. 

Could be my average piloting skills, or it could be the computer could not keep up, or it just could be it was never designed to really be an aid to LANDING, but I could not realistically land using ONLY SV.  I am sure with a bigger, faster computer a better pilot COULD do it someday...just my speculation.

Again, thank you for bringing this up.

Since we are just now scratching the surface of SV, I am sure 5-10 years from now we will have even BETTER solutions!

Thanks, Mike N714AJ