The Myth About
Glass Cockpits
Making sense of modern avionics
THERE IS A MYTH that persists about flying with a flat glass primary flight display (PFD). The odd thing is that this is a
multifaceted myth. One group believes it is harder to fly with
reference only to a glass display and pilots transitioning to glass
need lots of time and training. The other segment believes that
flying with a PFD is so much easier that those who learn to fly
instruments with a glass display can’t be trusted to also fly with
conventional flight instruments.
The common core belief of pilots who subscribe to this
myth is that a PFD is simply different, very different, and too
different for pilots to transition to or from easily. The myth is
just flat out wrong.
As I’m sure you know, a PFD takes the six primary flight
instruments and combines them on a single glass display. The
actual glass displays are versions of displays used for consumer
electronics such as smartphones, tablet computers, or even the
flat glass televisions found in most homes. The displays have been
adapted to the cockpit environment with
brighter lighting and other modifications.
