A Head-Up Display for General Aviation

R. L. Newman; K. W. Greeley; R. J. Schwartz; D. R. Ellis

doi:10.4271/2000-01-1697

A preliminary design for an affordable head-up display was developed under a NASA technology transfer contract. Attention was paid to the drivers that have here-to fore kept HUDs out of the general aviation fleet. These drivers are: high luminance (brightness), large physical size, wide field-of-view and the need for dedicated electronics. The HUD makes use of commercial off-the-shelf components and PC electronic microprocessors and operating systems.

In the GA HUD, the optics were simplified using a single curved combiner providing both collimation and superposition. The lateral field-of-view will be approximately 15-18 degrees depending on the cockpit geometry. This optical arrangement leads directly to a much smaller physical size.

The HUD is being developed primarily as a visual flight aid although the symbology will support limited instrument use, such as instrument approaches and recovery from unusual attitudes. The symbology is designed to provide geographic situation awareness by adding steer-point icons to the field of view. The HUD enhances air-speed awareness with airspeed/energy management cues and the use of air-mass flight path symbols. To meet the requirements of 23.1309/25.1309, independent monitoring of critical flight parameters (airspeed, altitude, and attitude) will be provided.

The small physical size coupled with more capable functionality makes the HUD attractive for corporate and commuter turbine airplanes as well.

Standards

SAE Mobilus®

Publications

News

Events

Professional Development

A World in Motion (PreK-12)

Participate with SAE

SAE Membership

Donate

A Head-Up Display for General Aviation 2000-01-1697

SAE MOBILUS