Drinking From the Wrong Glass

I recently heard a radio story about training New Yorkers to use chain saws. Pretty funny deal to a guy who grew up heating on wood and now lives in Maine. One chain-saw expert made this biting comment: Can you believe they sell these things in Home Depot?In a way, thats my take-away from the latest NTSB finding that glass-cockpit aircraft dont appear to be safer than those with conventional instruments. My inbox was all atwitter with people commenting on this, and everyone seemed to think these findings supported their point of view.

Key Takeaways:

• NTSB data indicates glass-cockpit aircraft are not inherently safer than conventional ones, showing a higher fatal accident rate often linked to pilots venturing into challenging weather.
• The author argues that the NTSB study's focus on the Primary Flight Display (PFD) missed that true safety benefits (and risks) lie in the Multi-Function Display (MFD), GPS, and weather data.
• These advanced "right-hand" displays, while offering enhanced situational awareness, can also lead to pilot distraction, confusion, and overconfidence, prompting pilots to take on greater risks.
• Ultimately, achieving true safety with glass cockpits requires comprehensive training that extends beyond technical skills to encompass the proper philosophy and attitude towards using these powerful tools responsibly.

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