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Old 24th Jan 2009, 08:38
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PPRuNe Towers
 
Join Date: Jan 1997
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The hud is in primary mode.

3 other modes progressively declutter the display. They're essentially intended for IFR approach or Cat111 (both including flare cues) and visual circuits/ approach.

The arrows near the far threshold show track and heading - you can work out which is which from the fcc demands for a slight fly left. If in any doubt you can see the heading bug sitting well offset to the left. The little cut out in it nestles neatly into the heading when both actual heading and bugged heading coincide. They're often slightly separated as there is a huge difference between single digit entered in the MCP and the actual heading which is accurate to a 5th or 6th of a degree.

This hyper accuracy also extends to the vertical plane with the command circle altered to white for clarity and showing the minor fly down command which is also reflected in the glideslope arrow against the scale to the right.

Another glance at the the aircraft symbol shows two far more subtle cues other than simply placing it over the faked white demand circle.

The left 'wing' of the aircraft shows a slight thickening below it. This extends into a vertical bar growing upwards or downwards and indicating over or below bugged speed. The bar is dynamic, constantly extending or retracting, and when its length extends to the equal diameter of the aircraft symbol that's 5 knots off the selected speed. The bar will extend further to a maximum of 15 knots and is linear. Therefore if you look closely you can see it is a fraction of a knot below bugged speed. One of life's minor joys on the line is watching folks chasing that last fraction of a knot

The second cue there is the right facing carat next to the left wing. It's probably easiest to get it across as an energy pointer. Carat slides down in this case indicating very slightly low energy. Following the command circle would tend to correct both the subtle cues as well as correcting for the ILS.

The hud looks to be the rather elegant 4000 series which attracted the attention of a designer rather than my 2000 done by a draughtsman who'd lost his set of French curves and was a fan of battleship bridge hardware.

The pitch markings vary very usefully and go hand in hand with total change to the display during unusual attitudes to aid recovery. Indications of both bank angle and pitch change markedly to assist the pilot.

Finally, the circular display top right with the 5 in it. There are several options available over and above the basic system and I believe it to be angle of attack. It's a case of believe it to be as my lot didn't opt for it

Regards
Rob
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