The system displays key information in the visor of the pilot's helmet-mounted display. This permits precise landing approaches – even in adverse weather conditions.

As the pilot aims for the helicopter landing platform on the deck, the ship can heave, pitch and roll violently in a storm, with visibility made worse by sea spray and dense cloud cover. The helicopter must maintain a safe distance from the superstructures on the upper deck to avoid contact with the aircraft’s rotor blades – but also needs to be far enough from the edge of the deck to avoid the overhanging fuselage pulling it backwards into the sea. Pilots often have to make repeated attempts at the landing maneuver.

Researchers at TUM have modelled this challenging and dangerous situation using the helicopter simulator at the Chair of Helicopter Technology. They are developing solutions to make it safer for pilots to execute approaches and landings on ships and ocean platforms – even in bad weather with high seas and low visibility.

Tim Mehling, a doctoral candidate at the Chair of Helicopter Technology, said: "On the open seas, there are generally few points of visual reference to guide pilots. On top of that, even the best pilot's concentration will slip after the 20th approach attempt. We developed appropriate icons for every phase of the landing. The co-ordinated icons are automatically displayed in the visor during the corresponding flight phase."