Glass cockpit layout & limits
Electronic flight display (EFD) = glass cockpit. LCD screens replace analogue instruments (PHAK ch.3):
- Primary flight display (PFD): in front of pilot. Shows traditional six-pack on one screen.
- Multi-function display (MFD): near centre of panel.
- EFD instruments solid state: less prone to failure than analogue (PHAK ch.8).
Typical PFD layout (varies by manufacturer, PHAK ch.8):
| Item | Where / how |
|---|---|
| Airspeed | vertical tape, left side |
| Altimeter | vertical tape, right side |
| Attitude | artificial horizon across the whole width of the PFD |
| Heading | below the artificial horizon, HSI style |
Limits of glass cockpit data:
- AFM prohibits moving map, terrain, traffic and weather datalink as primary data source (PHAK ch.2). Moving-map own-ship position "not intended for primary navigation" (AC 700-020 l.687); installed primary displays are the reference (AC 700-020 l.1378).
- Moving map can fail; straight GPS course can cross high terrain or prohibited airspace (PHAK ch.2).
- No one understands every behaviour of a complex avionics system: expect surprises (PHAK ch.2).
References
- PHAK ch.8 (FAA-H-8083-25), Electronic Flight Display, ADC, AHRS and glossary
- PHAK ch.3, Electronic Flight Displays
- PHAK ch.2
- TC AC 700-020 (EFB) l.687, l.1378