Companies have tried for decades to create a viable head up display for the lighter end of general aviation. But until now, nobody has successfully produced a unit that fits the needs of piston and light turbine operators. MyGoFlight first announced its HUD four years ago, and is currently flight-testing the unit in an Avidyne-equipped Cirrus.
“Building a head up display that was every bit as rock solid and capable as those used in business and commercial aviation, but fit within the size, weight and budget of GA and Light BA was a key design goal,” said MyGoFlight’s CEO Charles Schneider. “Of critical importance was using certified data from the aircraft’s panel so that information such as indicated airspeed, pressure altitude and attitude information was the same as is shown on the head down displays.”
MyGoFlight says the Skydisplay HUD-LCD180 will be the first in a series of affordable HUD units. Flight information is extracted from the aircraft and automatically generated onto the HUD screen. There is no work required by the pilot. The Skydisplay HUD-LCD180 will be available as an STC for the Cirrus and other airplanes with the Avidyne Entegra PFD, Garmin G430W navigators and Avidyne DFC90 autopilot.
While certified HUDs generally cost well over $100,000, the price for the Skydisplay system is expected to be around $25,000 plus installation. Supplemental Type Certification for the HUD-LCD180 is expected later this year. MyGoFlight is working on incorporating its HUD with other avionics systems, including other Avidyne systems and Aspen Avionics PFDs. The Aspen system will be connected directly to the PFD, lowering the cost even further.
“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,” said Schneider.
The MyGoFlight HUD will be on display at EAA’s AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, next week, and will be available to test fly in a simulator at the MyGoFlight booth, which will be located in Hangar C, booth 3135. MyGoFlight is running a $20,000 special (including installation at KAPA) for the first five customers.
