Glass Cockpit Flying

Download or read book Glass Cockpit Flying written by Robert Littlefield and published by . This book was released on 2010-03-23 with total page 110 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book is for everyone who flies, wants to fly, or instructs in general aviation glass cockpit airplanes. Its purpose is to explore what makes glass cockpit airplanes different, and to give general aviation pilots the tools and knowledge they need to fly these airplanes safely and efficiently. General aviation today is experiencing the most rapid pace of innovation since the late 1940s. Advances in composite structures and engine technology, new aviation fuels, and the availability of whole airplane parachute systems on production airplanes are part of this trend.But the major factor driving this trend is advances in avionics technology -- what the FAA calls "Technically Advanced Airplanes" (TAAs), or what is popularly known as glass cockpit airplanes. These aircraft are defined by features such as Global Positioning Systems (GPS), integrated autopilots, integrated displays, traffic avoidance systems and in-flight datalink interfaces for near-instant access to current weather and flight planning information.These advances offer general aviation pilots the promise of increased levels safety and performance. Unfortunately, the increased levels of safety have not materialized. A recent National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) study showed fewer total accidents for glass cockpit aircraft but a higher fatal accident rate and a higher total of fatal accidents. Why has the promise of greater levels of safety for glass cockpit airplanes not been realized? Because, in order to realize these benefits general aviation pilots must learn a new way of flying. Unfortunately, general aviation pilots and training providers have not yet evolved the way they train and fly to catch up with the advances in glass cockpit technology. The goal of this book is to help remedy that problem.