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By Andrew Liszewski

Now here’s another clever idea. VirtualHUD is an easy to install device that attaches to the windshield of a small plane and creates a virtual heads-up display for the pilot by projecting an image onto the aircraft’s spinning propeller. (A white strip of paint added to the back of the prop increases its visibility.) The VirtualHUD is able to project “all the standard flight instrumentation required for normal VFR and IFR navigation when equipped with or attached to your GPS” or it can be hooked to an external source like an infrared camera allowing the pilot to monitor a video feed while keeping their eyes on the sky.

Currently there’s a nighttime-only version of the product called the NightVu which sells for around $7,500, but the new ForwardVu model, which can be used in the day as well, should be available sometime in late July.

[ VirtualHUD ] VIA [ Gizmag ]

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All hail the laggard! With pretty much every other US-based legacy carrier already on board, we were beginning to wonder if American Airlines even got the memo that in-flight WiFi was in serious demand. At long last, the company has made clear that it plans to equip more than 300 MD-80 and Boeing 737-800 aircraft used primarily in the United States with high-speed WiFi capability (over the next two years). If you’ll recall, American announced early on that it was game for trialing the tech, but until today, it had yet to make a commitment large enough to make you consider signing up for its credit card and bankrolling those frequent flyer miles. We’re expecting more details to emerge soon, but feel free to start pestering its agents with the whos, whats, wheres and whens.
Source

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By Andrew Liszewski

Re-enact the Battle of Britain in your living room with this 1/72 scale RC Spitfire MK XVI that has a wingspan of just 6 inches and an overall weight of 2.7 grams. The motor itself is just 4mm in size and spins an equally tiny 32mm propeller, and while the fuselage is made from foam, I’m pretty sure it will easily survive any crashes given the plane’s limited max airspeed.

With the fully proportional transmitter remote the 1/72 scale Spitfire is a bit steep at $149.99, but if you’ve already got Plantraco microflight planes in your fleet, you can buy the Spitfire by itself for $99.99.

[ Plantraco 1/72 Scale RC Spitfire ] VIA [ The Gadgeteer ]

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Oh sure, the idea of having in-flight calling capabilities is pretty awesome, but actually biting the bullet and paying international roaming fees in order to indulge is likely to be a stretch. Ryanair, one of Europe’s low-cost airlines, has finally equipped 20 of its planes (all traveling to / from Dublin) with in-flight mobile service after promising it around 1.5 years ago. Ryanair confesses that typical prices will be around €0.50 to send a text message and between €2.00 and €3.00 per minute to make and receive calls. In other words, you’ll probably be keeping your conversations to yourself until you touch down, but at least it’s there in case of emergency. Or something.

[Via Gadling, thanks Conrad]