Flying blind

The data suggests a serious gap in training when it comes to decision-making under pressure. Enter the Icarus smart view-limiting device. Ten years ago, inventor Nick Sinopoli set out to address this training “blind spot” by developing a tool that realistically simulates the transition from VFR to IMC, providing pilots with a more nuanced training experience. After taking user feedback to heart and integrating some new upgrades, the device has evolved into a sleek, durable system that is now in use by the U.S. Army and the Department of State, helping instructors bring life-saving realism into the cockpit. The device is now being used to train pilots on all seven continents.

There’s a lot of value in being able to simulate a gradual and unannounced transition into IMC. With legacy hoods, the transition is anticipated and initiated by the student when they put the hood on—there is no element of surprise. The Icarus, short for “instrument conditions awareness recognition and understanding system,” offers student pilots exposure to the confusion and panic that spatial disorientation can elicit in high-stress situations. Instructors can, in real-time, control the visor’s opacity in gradients from their phones, and they can tailor scenarios that help their students refine technique for when things go unexpectedly. The more realistic the training, the better prepared pilots are for the real thing.

The first version of the Icarus was much less substantial. The visor was thinner and felt fragile, and it was secured to a small frame with a sort of electrical tape. It came with a large padded carrying case and laid flat when stored to prevent bending stress. While the functionality of the new version remains largely the same, there are some significant improvements in terms of durability and ease of use.

The improved version of the Icarus consists of three components:

1. The visor, which is made of a smart film that can transition between opaque and transparent states in response to electrical impulse or lack thereof.

2. A sturdy carbon fiber frame and mount that attaches to a ball cap or helmet.

3. A control unit that powers the device and allows instructors to adjust the visor’s opacity from marginal VMC, IMC, and low IMC. Visibility can be adjusted manually from 0 to 2 miles in 0.25-mile increments; 2 to 3 miles in 0.5-mile increments; and 3 to 10 miles in 1-mile increments. The module has been upgraded with longer six-hour battery life and USB-C charging.

The device can also be controlled via a newly redesigned app available for both iOS and Android. There are fixed-wing and rotary-wing versions, each sporting centered or offset visor cutouts respectively to accommodate instrument-panel orientation, and it comes with a three-year warranty. A night vision goggle visor is also offered separately.

“The problem with legacy hoods is that the training stops at the missed approach point or decision altitude, which is the most crucial point to train for,” says Sinopoli. “It’s the low-altitude stuff, the ‘What do I do if I get down there and I can’t see the ground?’ We don’t train for that. We train for everything else, but we don’t teach for the time when it’s most crucial to be proficient—when you’re slow, you’re dirty, and you’re hunting for the airport.”

With AOPA Senior Photographer David Tulis as safety pilot, I flew to a local practice area and tested the device. The hood is lightweight and comfortable once clipped on. I found the location of the power cable a bit awkward in that it naturally hung down from the front left side of the frame, occasionally getting in the way of my movements. Simply wrapping the cable around my back cleared up the issue. We agreed that once we reached altitude, I would make continual turns to headings while Tulis would, unannounced, begin adjusting opacity via Bluetooth. The shift from 3- to 1-mile then to zero visibility felt very real and jarring. As a non-instrument-rated pilot, I still find low-to-no visibility unsettling; my heart rate increased, and the sudden onset of IMC induced a sense of urgency not afforded by standard foggles. I instantly recognized how repeated exposure to this feeling could be invaluable in the training environment. The app was simple to use and did not require any significant menu diving or mental gymnastics to operate—a huge plus in my book.

The unit is stored face up, curved and secured to its frame, in a robust storage case that is much smaller than the original, with foam inserts lining the lid. While the device is more durable than its predecessor, Sinopoli advises users hold it by the frame and avoid touching the visor. As such, storing the hood mid-flight in a cramped cockpit wasn’t easy, though the same could be said of stashing an EFB-equipped tablet or fishing through a flight bag midair. Notably, the control unit’s power button protrudes beyond the boundary of the case. When stored, care must be taken during transport to avoid mistakenly turning the unit on and running down the battery.

At $1,250, you might wonder if it’s worth the investment. But the level of realism offered by the Icarus can mean the difference between predictable routine and truly effective preparation. That alone makes this worth a look.

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