Emirates looks set to equip its Airbus A380 fleet with head-up displays (HUD) when the aircraft enter service in 2006.
The airline is in discussions with Airbus's designated A380 HUD supplier Thales Avionics about specifying the device on its fleet. The A380 is the first Airbus aircraft on which a HUD is offered as an option from the start of the programme.
"We are looking at the HUD for the A380, I think we will go with it," says Emirates senior vice-president, flight operations, Capt Chris Knowles. "It has its uses for ground taxi guidance in low visibility, and for visual approaches in poor conditions."
Emirates would probably equip its A380s with two HUDs, one for each pilot, Knowles adds. None of the airline's fleet of A330s, A340s and Boeing 777s is equipped with HUDs, and Knowles says no retrofit programme for the fleet is planned.
Source: Flight International
