Universal Avionics has unveiled its 'Fly by Sight' navigation system, which combines ClearVision SkyLens head wearable display (HWD) and the company's recently introduced Interactive FMS (i-FMS).

The 'Fly by Sight' navigation system reduces head-down time in high workload environments by enabling the pilot to conduct critical functions like a direct-to, runway change or vector-to-final via head-up technologies instead of relying on head-down displays. The system is designed specifically to make these operations more intuitive, made feasible by integrating the head-up display with key FMS functionality.

This is the next generation in UA's drive to expand head-up operations, augmenting the real world through head-up technologies with line-of-sight (head-tracking) functionality that pilots can use to accomplish highly demanding tasks during critical phases of flight.

“We believe the future of flying should be simplified, automated and more intuitive, utilising new avionics technologies and systems,” says CEO Dror Yahav. “At NBAA, we demonstrated how integration between the FMS and a wearable HUD like the SkyLens can greatly improve the way pilots fly, reducing workload while maintaining high efficiency and heightened situational awareness.”

The 'Fly by Sight' will be offered as an add-on to existing cockpit systems as a retrofit package or as part of the company's integrated Insight ClearVision cockpit solution. The i-FMS is a software-based FMS designed on a flexible and open architecture system which can be hosted on a variety of hardware platforms. It enables new concepts in Human-Machine Interface (HMI) such as augmenting head-down displays with ClearVision head-up displays (HUD) and HWDs, allowing pilots to 'fly-by-sight.'