Garmin unveiled its first foray into the head-up display (HUD) market yesterday, the new Garmin Head-up Display (GHD 2100), which has been selected by Textron Aviation for the in-flight-test Cessna Citation Longitude. The super-midsize Longitude features a Garmin G5000 flight deck, and the GHD 2100 is installed in the prototype Longitude (the first flight-test article). 

The GHD 2100 is designed to fit into light, midsize and super-midsize business aircraft and consists of a single display unit with a self-contained projection system. Garmin's head-up display offers a 30-degree-wide by 24-degree-vertical field of view. 

A unique feature of the GHD 2100 is a “simplistic control interface” with “intelligent dimming, which automatically adapts to ambient light and allows pilots to focus on flying the aircraft.” The HUD also has a declutter mode.

Information displayed on the GHD 2100 is consistent with the Garmin display symbology and includes: flight-critical primary flight display information; conformal attitude and flight path overlaying the real-world view outside the windshield; navigation and flight plan information; autopilot modes; master warning/caution annunciations; and synthetic vision technology (SVT). “Because the synthetic vision image replicates what the pilot would see outside the cockpit on a clear day, pilots can more easily transition from flying with the GHD to the flight display or outside view,” according to Garmin.

Garmin’s SurfaceWatch is integrated on the GHD 2100. It uses performance data entered into the Garmin avionics before takeoff to provide visual and aural cues to warn pilots about taking off or landing on the wrong runway, a taxiway or a runway that is too short. 

Also displayed on the GHD 2100 is a flight path marker and flight path-based flight director. The flight path marker includes speed offset and velocity cue, according to Garmin, “allowing for precise energy management.” 

Garmin is planning to add options to the GHD 2100, such as displaying imagery from external cameras, infrared-based enhanced vision systems (EVS) and blended EVS and SVT to deliver a combined vision system. 

“The GHD also allows the operator to pursue Special Authorization Category I (CAT I), as well as Special Authorization Category II (CAT II) instrument landing system (ILS) approach minimums,” Garmin noted. 

“Industry studies indicate that flying with a HUD is safer in reduced visibilities, deteriorating weather conditions and in challenging environments,” said Carl Wolf, Garmin vice president of aviation sales and marketing. “We’ve worked hard to harmonize the GHD and Garmin’s integrated flight decks so pilots are provided with a seamless in-flight experience throughout the cockpit.”