I thought this was really interesting, Bill Steele has developed a heads up display the projects onto the backside of your spinning prop.

Bill works for Microsoft is an avid pilot, owns a couple of airplanes and I know him from my "Real Life", he was working on a PFD that he had completely designed and developed himself. This was his next step, it is really interesting, makes you wonder where GA will be going in the next 10-20 years.

Anyway, here is a link to his website VirtualHUD, it would be nice to see one of the little guys catch a break.

Cool Stuff

I guess you'd better hope your prop doesn't stop while flying IMC.

Gump

Does it matter what kind of display or gauges you have if your prop stops in IMC. I hope my prop doesn't stop anyway no matter what the weather is.

and then there's this: http://www.aopa.org/pilot/firstlook/080408garminsvs.html

Of course, you can probably buy a tricked-out 180 for the money it will take to install this stuff, and it won't help you go faster, land shorter, carry more or fly approaches you can't already fly with a decent 6 pack. Remember the Richard Pryor joke about cocaine being God's way of telling you that you have too much money?


CAVU

Student BCP wrote:Does it matter what kind of display or gauges you have if your prop stops in IMC.

It would if you're using the Virtual HUD, because the laser projects your attitude instruments display onto the spinning prop disc. Prop stops spinning, or your windshield ices over, and you're flying blind.

Lots of people have deadsticked through IMC and made it safely to the ground. People don't survive spatial disorientation in IMC conditions.

Gump

That makes sense thanks for the insight

I would assume a normal panel (ie steam and dc) for engine out as well as electrical failure ? It's a little different than glass that takes up panel space or am I missing something ?

N6EA wrote:I would assume a normal panel (ie steam and dc) for engine out as well as electrical failure ? It's a little different than glass that takes up panel space or am I missing something ?

There'd have to be backup of some kind. The concept does sound cool though. Hope they can work out the details.

Gump

After I read hooznext's post I emailed Mr. Steele and suggested that it would be cool to project ForwardVision's IR stuff along with the HUD. He answered and said he could already to that. That would be a neat combination.