HUD Potential for Narrow-Bodied Air Carrier Aircraft

The Head-Up Display (HUD) can provide significant benefits when installed on narrow-bodied air carrier aircraft. These benefits should include Category III approach minimums, reduced takeoff minimums, less restrictive takeoff alternate weather requirements, lower non-precision approach minimums, and general safety benefits. Twenty-five B-727's are presently operating to 700 feet RVR on hand flown ILS approaches using a Cat IIIa HUD with guidance. A Hybrid HUD system using a similar HUD as a monitor, integrated with a fail-passive autoland system, should qualify for Category IIIb minimums as low as 300 feet RVR.