HUD as PFD
Hi all,
I posed this question a while ago on a thread about the A380 but didnt get much in the way of an answer, so here goes another try!
Why is only 1 HUD used when installed in modern aircraft? It seems that aircraft with a HUD, ie. big business jets, A380 etc, only install 1 HUD, and apparently not as a PFD.
From what I have seen the HUD is generally only used as an aid in addition to the heads down PFD. As such the heads down screen is still used to display PFD info. If the HUD were used as the PFD then that heads down screen would be available for nav info, radar, moving map, whatever.
Further to this there is generally only 1 HUD installed. The Captain is able to look outside but the Co is still heads in and looking down.
It seems that in current use the HUD is seen only as a temporary aid for the approach phase of flight, and not really used at other times.
I have experience on a multi crew flight deck with 2 HUD setup certified as PFD. It is fantastic to have both pilots looking out the window and to have the screen directly in front of the pilot available for nav info.
If anyone has an idea as to why HUDs are used in their current manner I would like to hear about it, as from my point of view most HUDs are not being used to their full potential.
Cheers