The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) requiring that all commercial aircraft have head-updisplays (HUD) by 2025 has led Airbus to launch a HUD retrofit program in China.

¡°Moreover, the timetable requires that at least half the Chinese fleet be fitted with HUDs by 2020,¡± says Airbus, adding that ¡°to address this, the Airbus-managed retrofit program will enable operators to phase-in their HUD installations concurrently with other upgrades or scheduled maintenance checks.¡±

Airbus aircraft fitted with HUD ¡°will benefit from lower minimum landing requirements, which in turn will allow increased traffic volumes to and from Chinese airports ¨C as landings and takeoffs become more efficient.¡±

Non-HUD equipped aircraft may have to wait for landing slots.

HUD equipment was first introduced on fighter aircraft but is relatively new to commercial aviation. It comprises a transparent display screen in the pilot¡¯s field of view that provides key information on trajectory, speed and altitude as well as an artificial horizon and other primary flight data.

Using the HUD increases pilots¡¯ situational awareness, particularly during the approach and landing phases in bad weather and fog, says Airbus.