VirtualHUD Creates A Heads-Up Display For Single Prop Planes

VirtualHUD (Images courtesy VirtualHUD.com)
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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Airbike Provides A Pedal-Powered Boost For Hang Gliders

Airbike (Images courtesy Air Bike UK)
By Andrew Liszewski

Pedal-powered flight is not for the faint of heart, and that’s probably why the Airbike is designed to work in conjunction with a hang glider. On its own, the Airbike’s propeller doesn’t produce enough thrust to get a hang glider into the air, but once airborne it does provide an extra bit of thrust so that the pilot isn’t completely dependent on thermals for gaining altitude.

Unfortunately the Airbike website doesn’t have any pictures of what the pedaling mechanism actually looks like, it’s always hidden inside that bag, but presumably it’s all geared down to provide maximum prop speed with minimal pedaling. Now anyone who pursues aviation as a pastime knows it’s not a cheap hobby, and the prone version of the Airbike pictured here will set you back just over $2,000, hang glider not included.

[ Airbike UK ] VIA [ DVICE ]

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Plantraco 1/72 Scale RC Spitfire

1/72 Scale Spitfire Mark 16 (Images courtesy Plantraco)
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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Disco Ball Hat Somehow Makes A Propeller Beanie Look Cool

Disco Ball Hat (Images courtesy UrbanTrend)
By Andrew Liszewski

Looking for a sure fire way to get kicked out of your local club? Or more likely a guarantee that you’ll never get through the front doors in the first place? Just show up wearing this asinine Disco Ball Hat. It looks like a standard black baseball cap, but features a light-up spinning disco ball on top that’s sure to let everyone know they should never invite you to their parties ever again.

And if you want pricing info you’ll have to contact UrbanTrend directly. Watch how fast I go.

[ Disco Ball Hat ] VIA [ Fashionably Geek ]

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