Why do we need them? Most of our planes are CAT IIIA certified, so I don't think you're handflying them down to the runway anyways. Isn't it just another expense for the company to spend money on trying to keep it updated? We have so much technology (autoland for example), that hardly ever gets used and yet the pilots want more. In the 10 years I've been at CAL, I've flown possibly 3 or 4 approaches to CAT II mins which were all successful. So, why the problem with CAL not having HUD's?

I remember a couple of months ago, reading an article about how CAL had bought and retrofit som HUDS but then had them all removed....sorry don't remember the details, but can anyone confirm?

-pp

agreed.....

I only found the HUD useful when it was coupled with EVS, like in the GV. Seeing the runway when imc is cool and does enhance safety.

sometimes on takeoff without EVS it was fun to use but certainly not any safer then without,,,,just an expensive toy if your plane is already cat2/3 certified...money would be better spent if it was divided amongst the pilots in a certified check.

All ALK's have HGS, I believe the 4000. Kind of redundant with the CAT IIIA auto land as well.

BINGO!!!!!

Besides, if you're very tall, you bang your head on the darn thing all the time!!:D

Alaska was the first to install them I believe. Used a lot. Had them on the 727's as well.

Are HUDs being installed/used on any other aircraft with as much use as is seen on the 737 types?

The American Airlines HUD is BAE. Only used on the 737-800 which is the only 737 we have.

For one of the posters above,

HUD's are useful because it/they eliminate the daily autopilot/autoland confidence checks by maintenance that are time consuming for maintenance. At least that is what I was told.
Generally, HUD's installed are a half a million dollars.
At AA they are mandatory for use on T/O to help against tail-strikes since we do Flaps 1 T/O's for better second segment climbs (if i remember properly).

C-17s have HUDS installed in both P an CP positions. Safest part IMO is the defeat of most, if not all, visual illusions at the critical moments short of the runway. I.E. narrow runway...lower approach path-not so with HUD, etc.:cool:

Cheers...Phillly