Helmet-style cockpit vision system aims to change how pilots see in low visibility

Dror Yahav, a former commercial pilot and now CEO of Universal Avionics, said he often flew approaches in low-visibility conditions where runways did not appear until late in the landing sequence. Now, he's helping bring a cockpit vision system to market for commercial aircraft.

AerSale developed the system, AerAware, in partnership with Universal Avionics and has received Federal Aviation Administration certification for the Boeing 737 Next Generation.

The system uses a nose-mounted enhanced vision camera and a wearable head display that overlays flight data and imagery into the pilot's field of view.

PILOTS TEST FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND-COCKPIT ALERT SYSTEM THAT DETECTS POSSIBLE COLLISIONS ON RUNWAYS

Yahav said the system reflects his experience with low-visibility night approaches.

"You turn your head up and look outside, and there's just nothing - pitch black or foggy," he said.

He said the system combines sensor data and imagery to support situational awareness during takeoff and landing.

AerAware departs from traditional head-up displays and instead equips both pilots with a dual wearable system that delivers the same information to each cockpit seat.

Yahav said the concept draws from military helmet-mounted displays used in aircraft such as the F-35 Lightning II.

UNITED FLIGHT FROM CHICAGO MAKES EMERGENCY LANDING AFTER PASSENGER'S 'MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS' TO BRACH COCKPIT

The FAA has certified AerAware for Boeing 737 Next Generation aircraft. 

Regulators continue to focus on runway safety, and FAA data shows there were 1,636 runway incursions in fiscal year 2025, down from 1,758 in 2024 and 1,760 in 2023. Pilot deviations accounted for 62% of incursions from 2021 through 2025.

The installation process takes about two to three days per aircraft, followed by pilot training under an approved program, Yahav said.

DEADLY B-52 CRASH PUTS FOCUS ON ENGINES, CONTROLLABILITY AS INVESTIGATORS HUNT FOR ANSWERS

He said airline interest has increased alongside continued focus on runway incursions and low-visibility operations.

Jacqueline Carlon, senior vice president of marketing and communications for AerSale, said airlines evaluating the system focus on certification, installation downtime and integration into existing operations.

"It takes about a two- to three-day installation per aircraft, followed by an approved training program," she said.

Carlon said safety and operational efficiency drive interest as airlines evaluate upgrades for Boeing 737 fleets.