Weather plays a role in roughly 40 percent of flight delays, a federal statistic that a new technology aims to change.

The Enhanced Visual System/Synthetic Vision System technology is intended to give pilots the information needed to land despite low visibility.

The "augmented reality vision" software developed by Honeywell Aerospace can save airlines pricey fuel and save passengers precious time.

The EVS/SVS technology uses 3-D images from a GPS database blended with infrared images from a sensor found in most planes' noses.

Honeywell Aerospace has developed the software as an enhancement of its SVS technology that airlines have used for decades, technology that has detailed terrain images and automatic warnings of obstacles.

The new software offers displays that give pilots a picture of what the airport looks like "on a sunny day," said Ron Weight, chief pilot of corporate aviation for Honeywell.

"Airport terrain and runway configurations from around the world are loaded on the software," Weight said. "It's important for the pilot to feel just like he's looking out the window and not just looking at dials and gauges."

Currently, the Federal Aviation Administration requires pilots to decide at 200 feet whether ground visibility is sufficient for landing. If it's not, the aircraft must circle for a second attempt or divert to another airport, Weight said.

Weight said that with EVS/SVS, pilots would have until perhaps 100 feet to make the decision to land if the FAA agrees.

The FAA is in the process of reviewing EVS/SVS, which is being tested by pilots. Certification is expected in about a year.

After it meets the FAA's approval, "the aircraft manufacturers and airlines will decide if they want to incorporate it in their planes," said Larisa Parks, vice president of crew interface products for Honeywell.

The software hasn't been priced for the market.

Steve Cowell, a Denver-area pilot and aviation-safety consultant, said the technology would be beneficial.

Because of the suspected initial high cost, Cowell said the system probably will be adopted at first by high-end private jets.

"As far as commercial usage, it will be quite some time before we see the adoption into airlines due to costs, cockpit design, equipment maintenance, training requirements and regulatory approvals," Cowell said.