Above Panel Airspeed Indicator

[gleinberger]

As an older pilot (with bifocals) I find checking my airspeed on final approach somewhat scary as it requires me to take my eyes off the landing and a time consuming readjustment to my vision when I check the airspeed. As in any plane the important speed in landing is the indicated airspeed - not the ground speed which is what I am presently using to judge my speed. (I am planning on trying the Large setting on the HX airspeed display on the next flight). But what I would really like is an indicator on top of the panel of my Europa in my landing line of sight so I don't have to look down at a critical time of landing. The best of all worlds would be a heads-up display on the windshield for indicated airspeed. Anyone have any ideas? Can we pull of the airspeed from the HX somehow and route it to a dial or a projector on the windshield?

Gary Leinberger

[deej]

http://www.grtavionics.com/grtvision.html

Or, maybe mount a small Android tablet near the top of the glareshield and use the GRT app?

-Dj

[Bobturner]

I too wear bifocals - actually progressive lenses. I carefully positioned (vertically) my HX on the panel so that, with my head held level (so looking out the windscreen I am looking thru the top half of the glasses) I need only move my eyes down, not my head, and the HX is in focus. I fear that anything on the glare shield will require substantial head movement to bring into focus. Let me suggest an alternative: have you configured the audio angle of attack warning? This works very well, with a slow beeping well above stall, with the beeping rate increasing and finally going to a solid tone as you approach stall. Use the airspeed until you're close to the ground, like 100' agl. After that use the audio AOA to keep you out of trouble.

[Bobturner]

The alternative is to try the new "heads up" glasses. I think they may fit over your bifocals, and project airspeed data to appear 20' or so out so it should be in focus for you.