"Bill Daniels" wrote in message ...

Head mounted displays are coming fast and I think they will find a place
in glider cockpits.

Oh, I agree that a head-mounted display is the optimum solution for
exactly the reason stated - no need to look forward and refocus to
check the panel instruments. The key is images that are focused at
infinity and do not require refocusing the eyes; do the current "low
cost" displays (and emerging technologies) support that?. If the
technology develops, one could imagine an instrument setup that would
consist of a head-mounted display for airspeed, AOA, altitude, vario,
basic nav, speed to fly, thermal center, etc.; a heads-down big color
map display for siturational awareness, tactical planning, navigation,
weather (blipmaps!), and collision avoidance; an integrated radio/mode
S transponder/GPS/datalinik; and small backup airspeed, altimeter,
vario at the bottom of the panel. Controls would all be by HOSAF
(Hands On Stick And Flaps) after initial settings via windows on the
big display.

Then add usual aural cues for vario, and possibly (my wish) AOA when
the gear is down - so when landing out I could concentrate on flying
while controlling speed based on the optimum AOA tone. I loved that
in the F-4, it makes flying approaches in gusty or tight situations
really easy - much better than trying to sneak a peek at the airspeed
indicator!

Funny about all the studies that say that round dials are easier to
read than digital meters - I've read them too, and from personal
experience, I have to disagree - I end up using the digital readouts
for vario a lot more than the jumping needle, with of course audio for
trend info. And it seems the military and airlines agree - all big
glass displays and HUDs use ditigal displays, with perhaps a dial for
trend only. I think those studies were all done in pre-digital days,
when the options were a lot more limited.

Give me BIG NUMBERS anyday!

Kirk