A flight display method for an aircraft , comprising: receiving, at a computer system , navigation reference point data, terrain data, and aircraft status data; processing the navigation reference point data, terrain data, and aircraft status data to: (a) render on a display system , in real-time, a viewing segment comprising a navigation reference point and terrain, the terrain rendered in a first level of terrain contrast; and (b) determine that the aircraft is in a terrain deemphasis scenario when the aircraft is flying in an identified low altitude operation; and when the aircraft is in the terrain deemphasis scenario, (c) determining a boundary having an area less than an area of the viewing segment; and (d) deemphasizing terrain within the boundary by (i) decreasing terrain contrast to a second level of terrain contrast within the boundary and (ii) keeping the first level of terrain contrast external to the boundary, wherein the boundary is an enclosed area smaller than an area of the viewing segment and surrounding a desired landing area, so that perceived contrast of an airport map layer within the boundary is increased; and when terrain is deemphasized, returning terrain contrast within the boundary to the first level of terrain contrast responsive to receiving a restore trigger. receiving, at a computer system , navigation reference point data, terrain data, and aircraft status data; processing the navigation reference point data, terrain data, and aircraft status data to: (a) render on a display system , in real-time, a viewing segment comprising a navigation reference point and terrain, the terrain rendered in a first level of terrain contrast; and (b) determine that the aircraft is in a terrain deemphasis scenario when the aircraft is flying in an identified low altitude operation; and (a) render on a display system , in real-time, a viewing segment comprising a navigation reference point and terrain, the terrain rendered in a first level of terrain contrast; and (b) determine that the aircraft is in a terrain deemphasis scenario when the aircraft is flying in an identified low altitude operation; and when the aircraft is in the terrain deemphasis scenario, (c) determining a boundary having an area less than an area of the viewing segment; and (d) deemphasizing terrain within the boundary by (i) decreasing terrain contrast to a second level of terrain contrast within the boundary and (ii) keeping the first level of terrain contrast external to the boundary, wherein the boundary is an enclosed area smaller than an area of the viewing segment and surrounding a desired landing area, so that perceived contrast of an airport map layer within the boundary is increased; and (c) determining a boundary having an area less than an area of the viewing segment; and (d) deemphasizing terrain within the boundary by (i) decreasing terrain contrast to a second level of terrain contrast within the boundary and (ii) keeping the first level of terrain contrast external to the boundary, wherein the boundary is an enclosed area smaller than an area of the viewing segment and surrounding a desired landing area, so that perceived contrast of an airport map layer within the boundary is increased; and <EOS>