MYGOFLIGHT demonstrated its SKYDISPLAY HUD-LCD180, its first in a series of Head-Up Display (HUD) units equipped with ZeroTouch SmartHUD technology, during last week’s NBAA 2016.
The HUD is expected to be available for release some time in 2017.
“Two years ago we built and demonstrated that a small form factor HUD could be developed and operate in aircraft using new, small projection technologies,” said Charles Schneider, CEO of MYGOFLIGHT. “Today we have completed this vision with software that is capable to not only align information a pilot needs to see with their line of sight, it enables them to do that without having to enter any information or learn to operate anything new. Our goal is to improve flight safety by getting pilots to fly with their head up and eyes out during all critical phases of flight.”
Incidents like runway incursions, landing at the wrong airport, departing from the wrong runway, feelings of vertigo from looking down during descent, loss of control during an approach and the like will be minimized with the use of this HUD, according to company officials.
“We have been developing advance terrain avoidance software to meet the needs of the military and commercial low-level flight operations for over a decade,” said Robert Stadt, President, Sentinel Applied Technologies. “Our experience in software development, flight systems integration and systems certification efforts make us an ideal partner in MYGOFLIGHT’s Advanced Display Systems unit. It has been a real challenge to bring new display software to existing aircraft as panel space is so tight. SKYDISPLAY changes all of that creating an entirely new display area. We are excited to work together to advance the use of safe and smart technology now available to most aircraft.”
SKYDISPLAY puts flight information directly in front of a pilot. The HUD uses a transparent display and specially designed optics that projects an image out in front of the pilot. This allows a pilot to be able to view information with their head positioned “up” and looking forward instead of angled down looking at panel mounted instruments. The HUD does not require removing any existing avionics, will not block existing instruments and will not interfere with flight controls.
SKYDISPLAY contains three primary components: A projection unit; clear glass display combiner; a computer that connects to the aircraft and other flight sensors and contains the data and software necessary to drive the HUD’s graphics. The image appears to be out in front of the pilot to minimize head down time.
SKYDISPLAY uses SmartHUD software to present information to the pilot based upon the position and direction of the aircraft, surrounding terrain and obstacles, flight trajectory, flight plan, and the particular phase of flight.
Based on this understanding, HUD screens are displayed so as to not require pilot input, operating with ZeroTouch with zero increase to pilot workload, company officials said.
MYGOFLIGHT’s Advanced Display Systems group will work with avionics manufacturers, airplane manufacturers and apps developers that are interested in this product to ensure compatibility and fit with their software, electronics and airplanes. SKYDISPLAY can also act as a repeater to a pilot side HUD already installed so that the co-pilot can have the benefits of a HUD at a fraction of the cost, company officials said.
The initial price of SKYDISPLAY is expected to start around $10,000 and is intended to be installed by avionics shops when integrated with on-board ships data and/or the integration of new sensors.
Source: http://generalaviationnews.comSkyDisplay showcased at NBAA