A system and method for improving safety when operating an aircraft in reduced or modified visibility conditions is disclosed. A flight helmet having a visor with an electrically controlled optical state is configured to automatically move the visor up out of the pilot's line of sight on receipt of a signal from a safety sensor. This sensor-based automated moving of the visor helps alleviate danger in circumstances where the visor is improperly hindering the pilot. The helmet can be used, for example, in reduced-visibility training sessions and thereby improve the safety of such sessions. And the helmet can be used with enhanced or synthetic vision systems as a failsafe if the systems are hindering rather than helping the pilot.